How to Make Homemade Bug Spray
We are going to show you how to make an herbal bug repellant spray using yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Yarrow grows abundantly all over the world and has a multitude of uses, ranging from first aid to colds and flus. It is also a fabulous homemade bug repellent!
What you’ll need…
yarrow (either fresh or dried flowers and leaves)
alcohol (vodka works fine)
catnip essential oil
If using fresh yarrow, fill a jar with yarrow flowers and leaves,use pruners to cut them up.
If using dried yarrow, fill a jar about half full with yarrow.
Cover this with vodka and let sit for a week.
Strain off the yarrow. Preserve the liquid and compost the yarrow.
Fill a spray bottle with half the liquid and then fill the rest of the way with water. You could also just use the alcohol extraction without any additional water. Of course this costs more in the long run.
Place a few drops of catnip essential oil in the spray bottle. Catnip essential oil has been shown to be more effective than DEET at deterring mosquitoes. You could also try using lavender or sage essential oils.
Spray works best when I apply often – every hour or so. I personally dislike the smell of citronella bug sprays, but this one smells wonderful.
Tere are many variations to this homemade bug spray, so I encourage you to experiment with what works best for you.
You could simply make a tea out of yarrow and use that as a spray. This will not keep as long as an alcohol extraction.
There are a variety of essential oils that you can use besides the ones listed above.
Note: There is a rare possibility that yarrow may cause photodermatitis in sensitive individuals. If you have sensitive skin, it would be best to test this bug spray on a small area. (The area needs to receive sunlight to see if there is a reaction.)