Clove oil is a great ingredient to use in DIY insect repellents.

The presence of pesky insects can often put a damper on outdoor fun. While there are plenty of commercial insect repellents available, many of us are wary of the harsh chemicals they contain. Spraying them on our skin or in the air we breathe doesn’t feel like the healthiest choice.

That’s why, as a master herbalist, I’ve turned to making my own DIY insect repellent using natural ingredients like clove oil. This homemade solution can be safely applied to the skin or sprayed in the air to keep those annoying bugs at bay.

Precautions

Many people think essential oils are harmless. After all, they’re just little drops of oils from plants, right?

Well, actually, they’re incredibly concentrated and really potent. And they’re dangerous if you use them incorrectly. You should never use undiluted essential oils on your skin because they can cause irritation and burns.

Also, never use essential oils if they’ve been stored somewhere hot or sunny, which makes them major irritants. Dispose of them instead.

Dilution

For applying to skin, I recommend a maximum dilution ratio of two percent. So that’s roughly 12 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier liquid. This recipe is actually weaker than that, but it’s still an effective bug repellent.

Choice of Oils

I’ve chosen oils well-known for their insect-repelling qualities. But you have other options. You could switch out any of these oils for geraniol, cedarwood or lavender.

And please, only use food-grade or therapeutic-grade oils. These are the only ones pure enough to use on your skin. You need pure, undiluted, therapeutic-grade essential oils, not fragrance oils.

Pet Safety

None of the oils used here are safe for dogs or cats. I’m well-versed in essential oils, and I always advise caution if you have pets. While there are a few safe essential oils for dogs and cats for topical use, it’s not worth the risk unless you know what you’re doing.

Essential oils can quickly kill cats and dogs or cause severe respiratory and neurological issues. So if you have pets, DO NOT use this DIY bug-repellent spray on yourself, your pets or your gear. It’s dangerous if they inhale it or come into contact with even the diluted spray.

How To Make Clove Oil Insect Repellent

I usually use a more diluted version of the recipe I linked to in the Pet Safety section on my family and pets, and our gear. But here, we wanted an insect that specifically calls for clove essential oil. So I created a recipe and tested it successfully in my mosquito-ridden local woods, safely away from my pets.

(I made sure to thoroughly wash it off my skin before I cuddled my dogs. The cats disdainfully watched proceedings from the top of the cat tree!)

Creating your own insect repellent with clove oil is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

Gather supplies

To make your clove oil insect repellent, you’ll need the following items:

• Thirty drops of clove essential oil;
• Ten drops of citronella essential oil;
• Ten drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil;
• Two tablespoons of unscented liquid castile soap (I personally like Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap);
• One cup of distilled water;
• An immersion blender;
• An amber glass spray bottle;
• A small funnel.

Combine the essential oils

Start by adding the clove, citronella and lemon eucalyptus essential oils to an immersion blender cup. Essential oils are highly concentrated, and clove oil in particular can be irritating if used undiluted. By combining it with other oils, we’re starting the dilution process.

Add castile soap

Pour the castile soap into the blender cup. Castile soap acts as an emulsifier, helping the oils and water mix together.

Blend

Blend the soap and oils for one minute or so to emulsify them.

Bottle the mixture

Take the emulsified soap and oil and pour it into the spray bottle through your funnel. Add the distilled water. This further dilutes the essential oils, making them safe to spray on your skin or in the air.

Shake well

Once all the ingredients are in the bottle, screw the top on tightly. Shake the bottle vigorously for about a minute to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.

Test the repellent

Before using your homemade insect repellent, test it on a small patch of skin. If any irritation occurs, wash the area immediately and discontinue use.

Pro tip: If you don’t have an immersion blender, just add all the ingredients to the bottle and shake like a crazy person for a few minutes. The same applies if the spray separates after it’s been stored.

Storing Your Insect Repellent

Store your clove oil insect repellent in a cool, dark place.

The potency of essential oils can diminish when exposed to heat and light. With proper storage, your homemade repellent should last throughout the insect-heavy months, providing you with a natural, chemical-free way to enjoy your time outdoors. Properly stored essential oils can last between two and five years.

One caveat: Because you might transport this spray from place to place, it will likely get warm from time to time, and it won’t be stored in an airtight container. So I wouldn’t suggest storing it for more than a year. Just write the date you made it on the label so you know when to toss it.