GERANIUM ESSENTIAL OIL
Geranium essential oil is known to be an extremely potent tick repellent. Geraniol, the active ingredient in geranium essential oil, has been proven effective in repelling a wide variety of insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, flies, cockroaches, ants, fleas, gnats, and lice. Geranium essential oil smells floral with peppery notes.
CITRONELLA ESSENTIAL OIL
While citronella essential oil has many health benefits, it’s most well-known for its properties as a natural insect repellent. Citronella essential oil has been shown to both repel and eliminate insects, and is particularly effective on mosquitoes, lice, fleas, flies, and moths. No natural bug repellent article would be complete without citronella essential oil—it contains potent active compounds including geraniol, citronellal and citronellol. Citronella has a fresh, clean scent that has a strong lemony dimension to it.
LEMON EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OIL
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is one of the most effective natural pesticides and bug repellents. It is very powerful at deterring mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and gnats. Its strong antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties help keep nearly every bug out there at bay. Lemon eucalyptus essential oil smells sweet, lemony and fresh, with a woody hint.
TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL (NOT IN PET-FRIENDLY VERSION)
Tea tree essential oil is one of nature’s most lethal bug repellents. Its antiparasitic properties make it capable of destroying parasites like fleas, lice, and ticks. It repels mosquitoes, ants, spiders and other insects. Tea tree has an earthy, balsamic, herbaceous aroma.
ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL
Rosemary essential oil effectively acts as a repellent for most insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and ants. Its scent is energizing, evergreen-like, and woody.
LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
Best known for its calming and relaxing properties, lavender essential oil is also one of the most potent natural insect deterrents. It repels mosquitoes, ticks, flies, ants, bed bugs, fleas, and moths. The fragrance of lavender essential oil is sweet, floral, herbal, with balsamic undertones, soft and balancing.
WITCH HAZEL
Witch hazel astringent is used as a carrier because of its healthy benefits for the skin. Calming components and antioxidants in witch hazel can help ease discomfort from bug bites and stings. Additionally, witch hazel has proven helpful against numerous skin conditions, including acne, skin sores, bruises, redness, psoriasis and eczema, varicose veins, cracked skin, razor burn, sun damage and more.
ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
A small amount of rubbing alcohol is used for its ability to kill insects, as well as to serve as a mild preservative.
VEGETABLE GLYCERIN
Glycerin adds nourishing moisture without weighing down the light spray. It is used in my bug spray to balance the harshness of alcohol on the skin.
DISTILLED WATER
Distilled water is added to slightly dilute the powerful blend of active ingredients.