Insects are a part of life, especially during warmer months—but that doesn’t mean you want them invading your home or buzzing around your outdoor spaces.
While store-bought insect repellents and bug sprays may be effective, they often come loaded with harsh chemicals like DEET, which can irritate the skin, harm pets, or affect indoor air quality.
Fortunately, there are plenty of natural ways to repel insects using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen or garden.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to keep your home and yard bug-free with safe, eco-friendly, and affordable solutions.
We’ll cover how to repel mosquitoes, flies, ants, cockroaches, and even moths using homemade sprays, natural deterrents, and smart habits.
Why Go Natural for Insect Control?
Choosing natural insect repellents has several advantages:
- Healthier for your family and pets: No exposure to toxic fumes or chemical residues
- Environmentally friendly: Biodegradable ingredients reduce environmental harm
- Budget-friendly: Most ingredients are pantry staples
- Customizable: You can adjust scent, potency, and purpose
- Multi-use: Many solutions also act as deodorizers or cleaners
Best of all, most natural repellents are easy to make and safe enough for regular use on your skin, furniture, and around food areas.
Most Effective Natural Ingredients for Repelling Insects
Here are the key ingredients used in most DIY insect repellents, along with their pest-fighting properties:
1. Essential Oils
Highly concentrated plant extracts, essential oils are powerful insect deterrents.
- Lemon eucalyptus oil – Repels mosquitoes and ticks
- Lavender oil – Repels flies, mosquitoes, and moths
- Tea tree oil – Antifungal and repels ants and roaches
- Peppermint oil – Works against ants, spiders, and mice
- Citronella oil – Known for repelling mosquitoes
- Eucalyptus oil – Helps with flies and wasps
- Rosemary oil – Deters mosquitoes and other flying bugs
- Cedarwood oil – Moths and fleas hate it
2. Vinegar
The strong scent of vinegar disrupts insects’ scent trails and is effective against ants, fruit flies, and gnats.
3. Lemon Juice
The acidic nature and citrus scent repel spiders, ants, and flies.
4. Garlic
Its strong odor is a powerful repellent for mosquitoes and garden pests.
5. Baking Soda and Sugar
Together, they make an effective trap for cockroaches when combined with natural bait.
How to Make All-Natural Insect Repellent Spray
This general-purpose spray can be used indoors and outdoors to keep bugs at bay.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1/2 cup witch hazel or white vinegar
- 10 drops lemon eucalyptus oil
- 10 drops lavender oil
- 5 drops citronella or tea tree oil
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Shake well before each use.
- Spray around doorways, windowsills, baseboards, trash bins, and outdoor seating.
Optional: Add a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol for a longer-lasting effect.
Note: Always spot test surfaces before full application.
How to Repel Specific Insects Naturally
1. Mosquitoes
Natural deterrents: Lemon eucalyptus oil, citronella, lavender, garlic, rosemary
Methods:
- Burn citronella candles or oil lamps when sitting outdoors.
- Place bowls of crushed garlic and water on your patio.
- Plant mosquito-repelling herbs like basil, lemongrass, and mint near entryways and windows.
- Spray diluted lemon eucalyptus oil on exposed skin (never apply essential oils directly without a carrier).
Homemade mosquito spray for skin:
- 1/4 cup witch hazel
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 10 drops lemon eucalyptus oil
- 10 drops lavender oil
- Store in a small bottle and reapply every few hours when outdoors.
2. Flies
Natural deterrents: Lavender, cloves, lemon, basil, vinegar
Methods:
- Stick cloves into halves of a lemon and place near kitchen counters.
- Hang sachets of dried lavender near windows and doors.
- Use apple cider vinegar traps: Fill a jar with vinegar and a drop of dish soap. Cover with plastic wrap, poke holes, and set near fly-prone areas.
DIY Fly Spray:
- 1 cup water
- 10 drops lavender oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus oil
- Spray around windows, trash cans, and food prep areas.
3. Ants
Natural deterrents: Peppermint oil, vinegar, lemon juice, cinnamon
Methods:
- Spray a mix of white vinegar and water (1:1 ratio) on ant trails and entry points.
- Use lemon juice to break scent trails—apply directly on surfaces.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon or coffee grounds along baseboards.
- Place cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil near ant-prone areas.
DIY Ant Barrier Spray:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- Spray daily until ants stop appearing.
4. Cockroaches
Natural deterrents: Bay leaves, baking soda, catnip, essential oils
Methods:
- Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar and place in jar lids or shallow containers in corners and behind appliances.
- Crush bay leaves and sprinkle in dark, humid areas.
- Leave cotton balls soaked in tea tree oil under the sink or behind the fridge.
- Use diatomaceous earth (food grade only) as a natural pest barrier.
5. Moths
Natural deterrents: Cedarwood, lavender, cloves, rosemary
Methods:
- Place cedarwood blocks or shavings in closets and drawers.
- Fill cloth sachets with dried lavender, rosemary, and cloves and store with clothing.
- Spray diluted lavender essential oil inside wardrobes every two weeks.
- Avoid plastic garment bags—moths thrive in low airflow environments.
Natural Insect Repellents for the Garden
Garden pests like aphids, beetles, and slugs can wreak havoc on plants, but you can fight back with natural sprays.
Garlic-Pepper Spray (General Pest Control):
Ingredients:
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 hot pepper (or 1 tsp cayenne)
- 1 quart water
- 1 tbsp dish soap
Instructions:
- Blend garlic and pepper with water.
- Let sit for 24 hours, strain, then add dish soap.
- Spray on garden plants weekly, avoiding edible parts close to harvest.
Neem Oil Spray (Organic Insecticide):
Ingredients:
- 1 quart water
- 1 teaspoon neem oil
- 1/2 teaspoon natural soap
Instructions:
Shake and spray on leaves to repel mites, aphids, and whiteflies.
Insect-Repelling Houseplants
Some houseplants naturally deter bugs. Add these to your interior or patio spaces:
- Lavender: Keeps flies and moths away
- Mint: Deters mosquitoes and ants
- Basil: Repels houseflies and mosquitoes
- Lemongrass: High in citronella
- Rosemary: Keeps mosquitoes and flies at bay
- Chrysanthemums: Natural source of pyrethrin, an insect repellent
Place plants near windows, doors, or in corners where pests typically enter.
Bonus Tips for Keeping Insects Out Naturally
- Seal entry points: Use caulk around windows, doors, and baseboards.
- Keep it clean: Insects are drawn to crumbs, moisture, and trash.
- Use fans: Mosquitoes and flies dislike air movement—use ceiling or table fans in living areas.
- Empty garbage regularly: Especially organic waste and food scraps.
- Dry wet areas: Roaches and mosquitoes love standing water. Wipe sinks, fix leaks, and clean drains.
Final Thoughts: A Safer Way to Keep Bugs at Bay
You don’t need toxic sprays or professional exterminators to manage household pests. With simple ingredients like essential oils, vinegar, and lemon, you can make powerful homemade repellents that are safe, eco-conscious, and easy to use.
Start with one solution today—maybe a citrus-infused vinegar spray for the kitchen or a lavender sachet in your closet—and watch as your space becomes more peaceful, fragrant, and pest-free.
Márcio Luzardo is the creator of Dromiya, a site dedicated to practical home care and everyday living tips. Passionate about simplicity, organization, and smart routines, he shares clear, useful content to help people take better care of their homes with less stress and more confidence.
His goal is to make your daily life easier—one clean room, one helpful tip at a time.