Nontoxic Bug Repellents for Late Summer Evenings

Because we shouldn’t have to choose between mosquito bites and chemical warfare.

Late summer evenings have always been a little tricky for me.

Maybe it started when I was four years old and a fire ant bit me squarely under the eye. The next morning, I looked like a pint-sized MMA fighter: swollen, bruised, and very confused. My mother, in true 90s fashion, lovingly filmed the whole ordeal on our family camcorder. VHS proof that me and summer bugs? Definitely not besties.

But now, decades later, I still find myself drawn to those golden hours when the sun sinks low, the air feels like warm honey, and barefoot wandering just like the thing to do. The only problem? Mosquitoes tend to show up like it's the family reunion of the millennia and the only thing on the menu, is you.

And if you’ve ever read the back of a typical drugstore bug spray bottle (you know, the ones that warn you not to inhale while simultaneously instructing you to “apply liberally to skin”) you know we’re long overdue for a gentler option.

What’s Really in Conventional Bug Sprays?

Most of the big-name repellents contain DEET, permethrin, and other neurotoxic chemicals. DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is effective, sure — but it was also developed by the U.S. military in 1946. It's been linked to skin irritation, neurological symptoms in rare cases, and environmental toxicity.

Permethrin, commonly used in clothing sprays, is highly toxic to cats, bees, and aquatic life. And if we’re spraying it all over our kids' arms, the dog's fur, and our picnic blankets… what exactly are we doing?

If the goal is to keep bugs off without compromising our health (or the planet’s), there’s a better way.

The Herbalist’s Guide to Natural Bug Repellent

While no natural solution is 100% foolproof, especially in high-risk areas, plant-based remedies offer a gentler line of defense that respects both our skin and our environment.

🌿 The Best Natural Ingredients That Actually Repel Insects:

• Lemongrass: High in citronellal, a compound mosquitoes hate.

• Lavender: Calming for us, disgusting to bugs. Win-win.

• Eucalyptus: (especially lemon eucalyptus): Proven to rival DEET in clinical studies.

• Catnip oil: Ten times more effective than DEET in some research.

• Witch hazel: A safe, gentle carrier that helps apply the blend without greasiness.

• Apple cider vinegar: Used in some folk blends to repel biting insects.

• Neem oil: Potent, earthy, and powerful — great in small amounts.

DIY Herbal Bug Spray (That Doesn’t Smell Like Regret)

Here’s a simple, effective bug spray that you can make at home in under 10 minutes:

Bug Me Not Herbal Spray Recipe

You’ll need:

• ½ cup witch hazel

• ½ cup distilled water

• 20 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil

• 10 drops lavender essential oil

• 10 drops citronella or lemongrass essential oil

• Optional: 1 tsp neem oil (if you're in a particularly buggy area)

How to use:

1. Add all ingredients into a glass spray bottle (8 oz is perfect).

2. Shake before each use.

3. Apply to exposed skin, clothing, and even your picnic blanket.

4. Avoid contact with eyes, and do a patch test first, especially on kiddos.

Note: For babies under 6 months or pets, always consult your pediatrician or vet before using essential oils. You can also make a herbal-infused version without essential oils using fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and mint steeped in apple cider vinegar — gentler and beautiful in its own right.

But... Does It Work?

Here’s the honest, holistic truth: no natural repellent is going to perform like a neurotoxin. But that doesn’t mean we give up. It means we layer our efforts:

• Wear lightweight long sleeves in the evening

• Use fans outdoors — mosquitoes hate wind

• Light citronella torches using from real essential oils (not synthetic fragrances)

• Keep lemongrass and basil growing near outdoor gathering spaces

• Diffuse essential oils on the patio (lavender + peppermint is a favorite)

It’s not about perfection. It’s about reducing exposure, increasing intention, and doing the best we can with what we’ve got.

A Gentle Reminder: You Deserve to Know What’s Going On Your Skin

If you’re the kind of person reading labels in Target and wondering, “Wait… why is there propane in this lotion?”  You’re not alone.

You care. And that care matters.
It matters for your body.
It matters for your babies.
It matters for the earth.

If you’re just getting started on the journey of detoxing your home and life, I’ve created a free guide to help you take your first simple steps — including swaps for things like bug sprays, sunscreens, and pantry staples.

👉 Sign up for the free “40+ Swaps for a Healthier, Toxin-Free Living Space” checklist here.

It’s part of a 5-day wellness challenge that helps you slowly reclaim your space with confidence — and zero overwhelm.

Bug-Free and Barefoot

I still think about that old VHS tape sometimes. A four-year-old me, one swollen eye, still determined to run barefoot through the backyard.

There’s something kind of sacred about protecting that version of ourselves — and the kids we raise, and the friends we love, and the future we’re building — with small, intentional acts of care.

So here’s to late summer evenings.
To herbal brews and citronella candles.
To protecting what we love, without poisoning the picnic.

And to saying: no thanks, DEET. We’ve got plants for that.

With love and lavender,
Bailey