~ Homemade Bug Spray: For People & Livestock ~

My quest started because I needed a spray for our cows that wasn't full of toxic chemicals but realized that if it worked on the cows it would work for us. After googling some basic recipes I came up with one of my own.

1/4 cup of castor oil
15 drops of neem oil
1/8 cup of apple cider vinegar
1/8 cup of witch hazel
8 drops of cypress or cedar
5 drops of geranium
4 drops of lavendar
2 drops of rosemary
2 drops of peppermint
2 drops of lemon grass
2 drops of cloves
25 drops of citronella


I tripled the amount of essential oil for the barn version compared to the house version. The barn version works better than the house version. The hv also had a little more water added to it so you have to shake it really well to mix it up before you spray it. I am going to make a lotion for the next batch since I need to make more lotion anyway. Add the essential oils after you cream the lotion.

The above is just a basic guide. If you want to add more peppermint oil, go for it. Sometimes I got a few more drops than I wanted but it really is no big deal. For really small children you may want to spray this only on their clothes and not their skin. I know that my kids are not allergic to any of these oils so I let them spray their legs. Always make sure you dilute essential oils in to carrier oils.

The other weapon in our arsenal against mosquitoes is Minnesota Soap made by my Aunt Janie. It rocks! Homemade soap with essential oils to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

All the essential oils used above keep bugs away. Don't fret if you don't have every one that is on the list. Use the ones that you have on hand and make a scent that is appealing to you. Some people love geranium, others hate it. Kids love peppermint. I have also used the geranium and lemongrass oil in my apple cider vinegar rinse for my hair to help keep the bugs away.

Essential Oil
Mountain Rose Herbs
Angel's Earth - MN Soap and essential oils


Shared at:

Monday Mania
Homestead Barn Hop #66