Homemade Mosquito Spray with Essential Oils

Another project from our Make It at Home Day! My friend Rachael and I whipped up this all-natural homemade mosquito spray just in time for church camp. Every year we end up getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, so we decided to come prepared—and chemical-free!

Why Ditch Store-Bought Bug Sprays?

Commercial mosquito repellents often contain harsh ingredients like DEET, synthetic fragrances, and other toxic chemicals that can irritate the skin, disrupt hormones, and pose long-term health risks. Not something I want to be spraying on myself or the kids!

Even brands labeled as “natural” can be misleading, especially since many have been bought out by big corporations and had their formulas changed. I’d rather stick to ingredients I trust—and mix them myself.

Why These Ingredients Work in Homemade Mosquito Spray

• Lemongrass – Mosquitoes hate the strong citrusy scent.
• Rosemary – Known to repel a variety of bugs, including mosquitoes.
• Geranium – A powerful insect repellent and skin-soothing oil.
• Spearmint – Adds a fresh scent while keeping bugs away.
• Thyme – Contains thymol, a natural mosquito deterrent.
• Clove – Contains eugenol, effective against mosquito larvae and adults.

These essential oils work together to create a powerful and pleasant-smelling natural barrier against pesky insects.

Ingredients

• Witch hazel (to fill half your spray bottle)
• Distilled water (to fill the rest)
• 5 drops of lemongrass essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops geranium essential oil
• 5 drops spearmint essential oil
• 5 drops thyme essential oil
• 5 drops of clove essential oil

Instructions

1. Fill your spray bottle halfway with witch hazel.
2. Fill the rest with distilled water.
3. Add all the essential oils.
4. Shake well before each use.
5. Print out our printable pdf recipe card.

My Favorite Spray Bottle Hack

For a quick and easy full-body application, I use one of those continuous fine mist spray bottles—you know, the kind that hairstylists use. It covers large areas fast and evenly, which is perfect when you’re trying to spray squirmy kids or get yourself covered in a hurry.

Final Thoughts on My Homemade Mosquito Spray

I’ve already used this at camp and around the garden, and it’s a game-changer. It smells great, works well, and best of all, I know exactly what’s in it. Just another step in living a cleaner, simpler, more self-sufficient life!