10 Homemade Bug Sprays That Work Just As Well As the Commercial Ones

When mosquitoes and other pests start giving you problems, you might be able to get them off your back with the help of some things you can find around the house. A lot of basic items can be whipped up into a repellent in a snap.

We at Bright Side want to help you have a safe and happy summer, so we’re sharing these natural and easy bug repellent recipes with you.

1. Witch hazel spray

Ingredients:

• Witch hazel (liquid)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (or lavender essential oil)
• A spray bottle

Mix the witch hazel and the oil together, making sure that for every drop of oil you use 10 drops of witch hazel. Shake before use and spray to apply.

2. Lemon and vanilla spray

Ingredients:

• Lavender oil
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

• A spray bottle

Mix 10 drops of the lavender oil with 3 tbsp of vanilla extract and 3 tbsp of lemon juice. Add 2 cups of water to the mixture, shake the solution well, and spray.

3. Coconut oil mix

Ingredients:

• Coconut oil
• Essential oil of your choice (I.e., citronella, rosemary, lemongrass)

Mix 50 drops of the essential oil with around a cup of coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your body. The peppermint oil will not only keep away mosquitos, but might even repel spiders.

4. Apple cider vinegar spray

Ingredients:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Water
• Drops of an essential oil (i.e., rosemary, peppermint, lavender)

• A spray bottle

Mix apple cider vinegar and water in equal proportions. Add 40 drops of the oil. Put the mixture in a bottle and spray to use.

5. Mouthwash spray

Ingredients:

• A large bottle of mouthwash (preferably mint-flavored)
• Epsom salt
• A spray bottle

Make sure the mouthwash has eucalyptol, menthol, or thymol. These can act as a mosquito repellent. Add around 3 cups of the Epsom salt to the mouthwash until it dissolves. Use this spray outside or around your house.

6. Baking soda and vinegar trap

Ingredients:

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• A plastic bottle

Cut the empty bottle in half. Add baking soda to the bottom half. Take the top part and invert it so that it looks like a funnel, then place the inverted half of the bottle on top of the bottom. Pour vinegar into this and keep it outside an area that is infested with mosquitoes — this will release carbon dioxide which will attract mosquitoes, trapping them.

7. Rubbing alcohol spray

Ingredients:

• Any essential oil
• Water
• Rubbing alcohol
• A spray bottle

Mix essential oils with rubbing alcohol. Add water to this blend. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and shake. Then spray this on exposed areas of your body.

8. Garlic spray

Ingredients:

• 6 garlic cloves
• Mineral oil
• Lime juice
• Water

• A spray bottle

Mince the cloves. Add a tablespoon of mineral oil and soak overnight. Strain the garlic-infused oil and add lime juice and water to it. Place the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray plants around your home and unexplored parts of your body. Not only does the garlic repel mosquitoes, but the lime juice does as well.

9. Lemon with cloves

Ingredients:

• 10 to 12 cloves
• A lemon

Cut the lemon in half. Insert half of the cloves into each of the lemon halves. Place it in a room or area that’s infested with mosquitoes. Clove oil can also be placed on your body as a repellent.

10. Catnip and witch hazel spray

Ingredients:

• Water
• Witch hazel (or rubbing alcohol)
• 3-4 tbsp of dried catnip (you can also substitute peppermint, lavender, or spearmint)
• 2 dried cloves
• A spray bottle

Combine 1 cup of water with the herbs and cloves. Boil until bubbling and let cool. Once cooled, drain the herbs, add 1 cup of the witch hazel, and put into the spray bottle. Keep this mix refrigerated and spray to use.

What are some ways that you have tried to repel mosquitoes or other pests?