Natural Bug Repellent

Most bugs sprays are pretty toxic and smell terrible. This natural bug repellent will keep you safe from toxins and unwanted critters. Using powerful citronella, this safe and effective bug repellent can be used on everyone in your family. With mild winters, most unwanted pests haven’t been killed off. 

Now is the perfect time to get started on putting together this natural bug repellent, since it takes a few weeks to steep the citronella. You can also make your own citronella candle. 

While there are a good bit of recipe cards in this blog, I love a recipe that is so straight forward that you don’t need one. People lean so heavily on being told exactly what to do any how to do it, but do we actually learn that way? This recipe for natural bug is vague on purpose. This is “recipe” is very forgiving and is effective if it doesn’t “set” perfectly into a balm. 

Let’s Make It

To begin, you’ll need enough fresh citronella clippings to fill a quart jar. Dry them using a dehydrator, oven, or leave them out in the open air until dried through. Don’t use fresh citronella, as the oil can go rancid. 

Top the jar off with fractioned coconut oil. Let it steep for 5-6 weeks. Using a cheesecloth over a glass bowl, strain the citronella out.

Noting the amount of liquid you were left with, mix the coconut oil with equal parts beeswax and shea butter.

Melt and stir mixture over a double boiler until beeswax is melted and everything is incorporated.

Very carefully pour hot liquid into jelly jars or balm tins.  

The Easy Button

You can also purchase Young Living’s citronella essential oil or cedarwood essential oil to use as your own bug repellent. Be mindful that when applying essential oils to the skin, you should use a carrier oil. Typically, I’ll take a teaspoon of coconut oil in my palm and add a few drops of essential oil then rub it together and apply it around my ankles, arms, and waistband to prevent bugs, especially ticks