Need an alternative to chemical laden bug spray and not sure how to make bug spray?  Try my easy homemade bug spray recipe that works wonders! This DIY all natural bug spray is so easy to make and works really well.

Homemade Bug Spray Recipe Is Cost Effective

Have you seen the prices of all natural bug sprays?  Some of them are up to $20 in Target and CVS. Don’t even get me started on Whole Foods prices!  I seriously can’t imagine spending that much on all natural bug spray, especially bug spray that won’t work that well.   I’m going to be honest here and admit that all natural bug spray just isn’t going to work great for large swarms of bugs, no matter how much money you pay for it, or how well you follow a DIY recipe. Still, this homemade bug spray recipe works just as well, if not better than the stuff you can buy in stores.

If you are dead set on buying it instead of making it, check out my recommendations at the end of this post.

It makes so much more sense to save your money and make your own homemade bug spray recipe with essential oils and coconut oil.  This DIY natural bug spray is easy and way cheaper to make than buying it from a store.  I love buying the good oils from DoTerra and Young Living, but for stuff like this, I buy the cheaper oils from Whole Foods or Amazon.

Let’s Talk Science about natural homemade bug spray

Here are some important facts you should know, especially after all the Zika scare.  Research scientists with University of Florida and the Environmental Working Group have found that natural bug spray is only effective for about 20 minutes.  You also need a lot of it for it to be effective.

This spray is good for a quick walk outside or a trip to the beach, but if you are going camping in the backwoods or night fishing, this absolutely will not work.

I hate to admit that in those situations I would totally and completely feel safest using something with DEET to avoid West Nile Virus and Zika.  It may not be an issue in most of the U.S., but here in Florida we seem to have outbreaks like this every year.  I think a few encounters with DEET a couple times of year to avoid disease is completely acceptable, here is my favorite bug spray with DEET.  Even the Environmental Working Group agrees that DEET is safe to use in your bug spray.  Read the article here.

PSA is officially over!

If you’re like me and don’t want to put DEET on for every single walk, try this spray.  It will work pretty well for about 20 minutes before you have to reapply.

Easy Homemade Bug Spray Recipe

• 20 drops of Neem Oil
• 1/4 C. Coconut Oil (fractionated, or you can melt the regular stuff in your microwave)
• 5 drops of Eucalyptus Oil (can also use citronella, peppermint or a blend of the three)
• 1/2 C. witch hazel

Mix it all up in a spray bottle and enjoy the great outdoors!  Essential oils react with plastic so it is best for you to use a stainless steel spray bottle like this one here.

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