In this post, I will be sharing an easy DIY bug spray for kids with a free printable label I designed so you can stay safe from mosquitos and organized this hiking season!
Bug Spray Season is here!
We saw our first bugs of the season yesterday, and I swear I heard the theme song to Jaws. BA-dum. BA-dum… In our homeschool, outdoor time and hiking are super important to us! I needed a quick and easy way to get the kids some bug protection. Thankfully I had everything I needed to do a quick homeschool project and make a simple homemade bug spray with the kids, that’s safe for the whole family to use!
4 Reasons to Make Your Own DIY Bug Spray
1. Your skin is the body’s largest organ
Research suggests that your skin may absorb up to 100% of ingredients placed on it. Many bug sprays contain chemicals that I am personally not comfortable with using on my skin or my kid’s skin.
Here in Northern Ontario, black fly and mosquito season is INTENSE. A couple of years ago I actually caved while gardening and put on some “greenwashed” DEET bug repellent that was kicking around. I had a weird neurological reaction to it — I was having uncontrollable tremors on the right side of my body! Quickly, I took a video so my husband would believe me, then I washed it off and swore off DEET forever. I mean, I already knew better, but we all have our weak moments on this natural living journey!
Since then, I have become more and more passionate about safe alternatives to commercial insect repellents! I actually read up on the alternate chemicals used that are supposedly safer than DEET too, and I mean, you can make you own call on what you put into your body but these chemicals are definitely toxic.
2. It smells better than commercial bug spray
This may be the best reason of all. Commercial bug repellents have a seriously nasty smell, and those chemicals that are being sprayed are often being inhaled into delicate lungs too! After use, you just want to go shower! This natural DIY bug spray smells really nice in comparison.
3. It is cost-effective
This DIY uses a conveniently pre-blended essential oil that costs only $10 and can be used for many seasons. The other ingredients you may already have, or if not they can be obtained affordably at the grocery store. You can re-use old, clean spray bottles for an even more affordable solution.
4. It is customizable
The best part of DIY bug spray is that you can tweak it. For example, if you don’t like the smell of geranium, and you aren’t worried about ticks where you live, you can leave it out! The Plant Therapy blend I used contains:
- Citronella
- Geranium Egyptian
- Lemongrass
- Eucalyptus Globulus
- Lavender
- Tea Tree
- Patchouli
- Cedarwood Virginian
- Catnip
You can absolutely purchase individual oils and create your own blend if you dislike one or more of these oils. Additionally, other oils can be used effectively such as Clove and Rosemary.
I needed a quick and easy DIY bug spray for kids
Time for a homeschool project: simple homemade bug spray! It’s very easy for kids to make this one with supervision. Here is my favourite recipe for simple and safe homemade bug spray, for adults (with an easy switch for kids and babies).
Printable Bug Spray Label to help you stay organized
My biggest downfall when using essential oil DIYs is that I forget my recipes and have to look them up again! So I promised myself to print out the recipe this year. I decided to design a cute label for my homemade bug spray bottles with the recipe right on it! It’s available for you here as a free printable, with and without the recipe. I think they look really cute on these aluminum 4 oz bottles I purchased.
Gather Materials for DIY Bug Spray
Ingredients
- 30 drops Plant Therapy Nature Shield blend or 20 drops of Kid Safe Shield Me Blend if using on kids under 10 years
- 1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract
- 1.5 oz Thayers Witch Hazel (can substitute with vodka)
- 2 oz fractionated coconut oil or neem oil
Supplies
- Small spray bottles. I have been loving these little 4 oz aluminum ones which are unbreakable.
Easy Instructions for Bug Spray
Simple Homemade Bug Spray
This is a safe and effective homemade bug spray alternative.
Ingredients
- 30 drops Plant Therapy Nature Shield blend or 20 drops of Kid Safe Shield Me Blend if using on kids under 10 years
- 1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract
- 1 oz Thayers witch hazel (can substitute with vodka)
- 2 oz fractionated coconut oil or neem oil
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a 4 oz spray bottle.
- Shake bottle well before each application in order to fully distribute the oils.
- Apply to skin and clothing, but always avoid contact with eyes and other mucous membranes.
Notes
- I always prefer glass when using essential oils, but I made an exception for our bug spray because I want it to be handy in bags and for the kids to use. So far we use it up quickly enough that we haven’t had any problems with plastic. **UPDATE: I got these cute little aluminum bottles for use on the trail and I love them.
- Avoid spraying the face! Instead, try spraying a little onto your hands and rubbing it onto your face to avoid getting this in your eyes.
- Our family uses Plant Therapy, but you can use whatever essential oil blend you prefer.
- I like my small silicone funnel for these projects and I actually keep one in my medicine/witch doctor cabinet area.
- I do not use directly on the skin of babies under 2. Feel free to make your own informed decision!
Notes on this EASY DIY Bug Spray
- I always prefer glass when using essential oils, but I made an exception for our bug spray because I want it to be handy in bags and for the kids to use. So far we use it up quickly enough that we haven’t had any problems.
- Avoid spraying the face! Instead, try spraying a little onto your hands and rubbing it onto your face to avoid getting this in your eyes.
- Our family uses Plant Therapy, but you can use whatever essential oil blend you prefer.
- I like my small silicone funnel for these projects and I actually keep one in my medicine /witch doctor cabinet area.
It is a great idea to use this essential oil blend in your diffuser. We like to place these by our entrances to discourage mosquitos at the point of entry.
Nature Shield blend is not safe for dogs, however the KidSafe Shield Me blend (also linked) is safe for dogs.
Thanks so much for reading this post!
If you liked this recipe, consider pinning it for next year! What is your favourite essential oil blend to keep bugs away?
Hi, I was wondering if you could tell me why the adult version isn’t safe for kids? Which ingredients are you concerned about? It would be easier for me to make just one formula (as strong as possible since I am a mosquito magnet big time! and I worry a “kid’s” version won’t be strong enough? But maybe it is?). Thanks so much for this! I also plan to share your website and recipe in my health and wellness community!!!
Hi Melissa! The kids safe blend uses gentler oils: Citronella, Grapefruit Pink, Geranium Bourbon, Rosalina, and Patchouli. The adult version has Eucalyptus and a few others that aren’t recommended for kids. It’s totally up to you what you want to do though. I know I have done the adult version on my kids when we were in the woods! What I do is spray on clothing instead of directly on their skin.
Thanks for sharing!
Oh and could you say more about why not on babies under 2? I try to generally not use it, but feel sometimes my little guy needs something on some of our hikes…
I totally agree. We use a bug shirt but I can see it both ways. I think its just important to note how strong essential oils can be on kids and babies – and even us grown ups! It truly is a highly concentrated part of the plant so it could potentially cause a strong reaction. I do keep the homeopathic remedy Ledum on hand for bug season and it helps you get bitten less! Might be something to look into (this is not medical advice, etc etc).
Thank you!!
Thanks for this recipe! I will be making it asap, the bugs are starting to come out here!
I love this! I am always looking for a go-to bug spray that isn’t filled with chemicals. I will have to give this a try.
I love DIY recipes! Thanks for sharing. Also, the labels are super adorable.