#Nootka tree oil skin#
One of the most powerful and fearless defenders of unbitten skin is Catnip essential oil.Ĭatnip oil contains a compound called nepetalactone that may be as effective as DEET. Its bright, lemony aroma makes it a great addition to your bug-fighting blend. However, this oil still has helpful insect-combatting properties. PMD is actually more abundant in lemon eucalyptus hydrosol than in the essential oil itself. This is an incredibly effective insect repellent when found in sufficient concentration. With 85% Citronellal, Eucalyptus- Lemon oil has some of the same beneficial effects as Citronella.Įucalyptus- Lemon also contains trace amounts of a compound called para-menthane 3, 8 diol (PMD), which does not evaporate as rapidly as other essential oil components. #5 Eucalyptus- LemonĮucalyptus- Lemon is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for repelling insects and since the 1960s, researchers have been studying the science behind its effects. Just be sure to dilute it before using it as a natural insect repellent. This oil is great to use topically, or it can be sprayed on screen doors, window sills and around the house to deter insects from entry. In this oil, sweet, aromatic Patchouli helps balance Catnip's strong aroma. Part of our OK For Kids line, it's an effective and safe essential oil for kids. Similar to Repel in ingredients, Shoo Fly essential oil blend is specially designed to keep pesky bugs like fruit flies away. And while you may not think Vanilla is a natural choice for a bug repellent, as we noted, it can help prevent evaporation.Īs an added bonus, this blend has a wonderful, bright, herbaceous and subtly sweet aroma, making it a great choice to wear to an outdoor gathering like a summer wedding. Likewise, Arborvitae and Litsea have their own insect-repellent properties. When you're out in the woods, Nootka Tree can help to repel fire ants, while sweet Ylang Ylang can act as an insecticide and help with repelling mosquitoes and flies.
Repel synergy blend combines potent Catnip and Citronella with several more sweet, soothing oils. #3 RepelĪvoid pesky bug bites with this complex synergy blend. Geraniumįresh Geranium oil is toxic to mosquitoes and can deter their bites. As an added bonus, Lemongrass oil has a green, sweet and lemony aroma that helps counterbalance more pungent aromas. Like Citronella, Lemongrass essential oil contains citral and citronellal. Studies show that it can kill common house flies as well as some beetles, making it a helpful addition to any essential oil blends. Sharp, woody Cedarwood has insecticidal properties of its own for pest control. Pest Defy synergy blend combines potent Citronella with several other beneficial essential oils: Cedarwood When you apply essential oils to the skin, always dilute them with a carrier oil, like Fractionated Coconut Oil, to avoid irritation. Plus, there's actual research to backup its bug-fighting power.Ī 2011 study found that Peppermint oil offered 100% protection against mosquito bites for up to 150 mins when applied topically. It's a popular ingredient in many mainstream mosquito repellents. Refreshing and minty, Peppermint essential oil is known for its many versatile properties, including repelling insects and bugs. In this short guide, we'll cover 9 of our favorite essential oils that repel bugs. Essential oils that repel insects can be incredibly effective and powerful.
Up until recently, people exclusively employed natural resources to battle nature's pests. In fact, DEET has only been used since 1946. The use of essential oils and aromatics as a natural repellent is nothing new-natural insecticides have been around for centuries. Is there a natural way to keep bugs at bay? Yes-essential oils. And with warmer temperatures on the horizon, people are searching for solutions to repel insects without using harmful chemicals. Ticks and mosquitoes and gnats, oh my! These fearsome three, along with other insects, are kryptonite to the outdoor-lover.