Do Natural Insect Repellents Actually Work?
If you already choose natural products for your home, skincare, and cleaning routine, it’s only natural to reach for plant‑based insect repellents when summer arrives. The options align perfectly with a low‑tox lifestyle.
You may be interested to learn that there is a powerful natural solution for keeping insects at bay. Two essential oils in particular – Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) - offer an effective, botanical alternative to synthetic repellents.
How Essential Oils Deter Insects
These oils have been shown to help keep flying bugs away when used correctly and safely diluted. Both contain three key aromatic compounds that interfere with how insects locate humans:
· Citronellal: A primary active repellent that produces a strong citrus aroma, disrupting a bug’s ability to find us. A 2022 study confirmed its effectiveness against mosquitoes1.
· Geraniol: This compound helps mask human scent cues.
· Citronellol: A floral compound that adds to the overall masking effect.
Together, these constituents create a ‘scent cloud’ that confuses insects. They become overwhelmed and cannot track the usual markers that lead them to us.
3 Natural Ways to Use Essential Oils This Summer
Here are a few practical ways to use these oils to reduce those pesky flying bugs:
1. Refreshing Body Spray
Combine the following in a clean, empty spray bottle:
· 20ml witch hazel
· 5ml blending oil
· 10 drops Citronella Essential Oil
OR
· 10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
How to use: Shake before use and spray onto exposed skin. This mist is not suitable for the face.
2. Protective Body Oil
For a more concentrated application, combine the following ingredients:
· 20ml Blending Oil
· 10 drops Citronella Essential Oil
OR
· 10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
How to Use: Shake before use and apply to exposed skin. This blend is not suitable for the face.
Home Diffuser Blend
To deter insects from entering your home, add the following drops to your diffuser:
· 6 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil
OR
· 6 drops Citronella Essential Oil
· 2 drops Peppermint (Mentha Piperitta)
Expert Tip: Place your diffuser near open windows to create a natural barrier.
We love hearing how you incorporate essential oils into your daily rituals. Have you tried these natural blends yet? Leave a comment below and share your experience.
1. Advances in mosquito repellents: effectiveness of citronellal derivatives in laboratory and field trials - Iovinella - 2022 - Pest Management Science - Wiley Online Library
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
For more information on Jo Kellett, check out her website or Instagram.
