How To Make Bug Spray With Lavender Oil

You can make bug spray with lavender oil by mixing a few drops of pure lavender essential oil with water and a splash of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol.
 
The lavender oil doesn’t just smell nice; it actually helps repel mosquitoes, flies, and other annoying insects naturally.
 
If you’ve been looking for a simple, non-toxic way to keep bugs away, homemade lavender oil bug spray is a fantastic option.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make bug spray with lavender oil, plus some tips to make it work even better.
 
Let’s get started.
 

Why Make Bug Spray with Lavender Oil?

Lavender oil is one of the most effective natural insect repellents, and making your own bug spray with it is easy and cheap.
 
Here’s why so many people choose to make bug spray with lavender oil instead of buying chemical-heavy store brands.
 

1. Lavender Oil Naturally Repels Insects

The main reason to make bug spray with lavender oil is that the oil itself contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate.
 
These compounds interfere with an insect’s ability to smell, making it hard for them to find you.
 
So when you make bug spray with lavender oil, you’re basically cloaking yourself in a scent that bugs hate but humans love.
 

2. It’s Safe for Kids and Pets (When Used Correctly)

When you make bug spray with lavender oil, you’re avoiding DEET and other harsh chemicals.
 
That means it’s a gentler option for your family, as long as you dilute it properly.
 
Just remember that you should never spray essential oils directly on a pet’s fur without checking with your vet first.
 

3. You Can Customize the Scent

Another great reason to make bug spray with lavender oil is that you can blend it with other bug-repelling oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or citronella.
 
So you can make bug spray with lavender oil that smells exactly how you want.
 
That’s a huge plus if you’re not a fan of the sharp, chemical smell of commercial sprays.
 

How to Make Bug Spray with Lavender Oil: Step-by-Step

Learning how to make bug spray with lavender oil takes about five minutes and a few simple ingredients.
 
Here’s the basic recipe for how to make bug spray with lavender oil that actually works.
 

1. Gather Your Ingredients

To make bug spray with lavender oil, you’ll need:
 
– 10 to 15 drops of pure lavender essential oil
 
– 2 tablespoons of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol
 
– 2 tablespoons of distilled water
 
– A clean 4-ounce glass spray bottle
 
You can also add 5 drops of peppermint oil if you want extra protection when you make bug spray with lavender oil.
 

2. Mix the Lavender Oil and Witch Hazel First

The trick to how to make bug spray with lavender oil that doesn’t separate is to combine the oil with witch hazel or alcohol first.
 
Essential oils don’t mix with water, but they do dissolve in alcohol.
 
So pour the witch hazel into your spray bottle, then add the lavender oil drops, and swirl gently.
 

3. Add Distilled Water and Shake

Now top off the bottle with distilled water.
 
Screw on the lid and shake well before each use, because when you make bug spray with lavender oil, it will naturally separate over time.
 
That’s totally normal, so just give it a shake every time you reach for it.
 

4. Spray and Store Properly

When you make bug spray with lavender oil, spray it on your clothes, shoes, and exposed skin (avoiding your face and eyes).
 
Store the bottle in a cool, dark place, and it will last for about two to three months.
 
If you make bug spray with lavender oil in larger batches, just keep the ratio the same.
 

Tips to Make Bug Spray with Lavender Oil More Effective

Once you know how to make bug spray with lavender oil, a few tweaks can make it last longer and work better.
 

1. Add a Fixative Like Vegetable Glycerin

If you want your homemade bug spray with lavender oil to stick around longer, add a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin.
 
Glycerin helps the scent linger on your skin so you don’t have to reapply every ten minutes.
 

2. Reapply Every Two Hours

Natural bug sprays with lavender oil aren’t as long-lasting as DEET, so plan to reapply every couple of hours.
 
If you’re sweating or swimming, you’ll need to reapply even sooner.
 

3. Test on a Small Patch of Skin First

Before you douse yourself in bug spray with lavender oil, do a patch test on your inner arm.
 
Lavender is generally gentle, but some people are sensitive to essential oils.
 
Wait 24 hours to make sure you don’t have a reaction before using it everywhere.
 

4. Don’t Spray Near Your Face or Eyes

Even though it’s natural, you should never spray bug spray with lavender oil directly on your face.
 
Instead, spray it onto your hands first, then carefully pat it on your neck and behind your ears.
 

So, How Do You Make Bug Spray with Lavender Oil?

You make bug spray with lavender oil by mixing 10 to 15 drops of lavender essential oil with witch hazel and distilled water in a spray bottle.
 
It’s that simple, and it gives you a natural, pleasant-smelling way to keep mosquitoes and other pests at bay.
 
Now that you know how to make bug spray with lavender oil, you can tweak the recipe with other essential oils and find your perfect blend.
 
Enjoy your bug-free evenings and that lovely lavender scent.