Natural Remedies Against Insects

Summer brings many joys: sunny days, outdoor evenings, picnics, and garden barbecues. However, one annoyance can ruin all this pleasure: insects. Flies, ants, mosquitoes, and other bugs can turn a pleasant outdoor day into an irritating and unpleasant experience. But don’t worry, there are natural and effective solutions to protect yourself from these little creatures without resorting to chemical products or harmful pesticides.

In nature, aromas play an important role in attracting or repelling creatures of all sizes. In our homes, we can use specific scents to keep unwanted visitors away, encouraging them to settle elsewhere.

Everyone loves feeling comfortable in their home—including insects! But certain scents make that impossible for them. That’s why essential oils are so useful—they repel bugs without killing them, which is a refreshing change from many insecticides that not only eliminate insects but also introduce unwanted chemicals into our living spaces. This doesn’t mean that chemical solutions don’t have their place; sometimes, an insect invasion can be so severe that total eradication is the only option (sorry, bugs).

So, addressing the problem as soon as it arises prevents insects from multiplying, which usually happens very quickly.

Many insects have very short life cycles and, like tourists, come and go at certain times of the year, in waves. One week, our home may be invaded by wasps; the next, it's spiders. Since we have a wealth of information on their behaviors, preferences, and aversions, a little planning makes it easy to send them elsewhere to bother someone else. Naturally, different insects have different scent preferences and aversions. Experiment until you find which essential oil works best against your unwanted visitors.

Here are some of the most effective essential oils against insects:

  • Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata/globulus)
  • Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
  • Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
  • Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus)
  • Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
  • Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus/flexuosus)
  • Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
  • Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides)
  • Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
  • Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
  • Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
  • Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
  • Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
  • Sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dolce)

How to use essential oils to keep insects away

Use these oils through diffusion, sprays, or targeted applications at entry points like doors and windows. To prevent insects from coming indoors, prepare paper strips (such as kitchen paper) or cut cotton ribbons, apply one drop of essential oil on each, and hang them in strategic places—away from direct sunlight and heat sources. As a bonus, this method also fills the room with a pleasant fragrance.

Essential oils for specific insects

  • Moths dislike vetiver, lavender, cedar, peppermint, lemongrass, citronella, and citrus scents.
  • Flies and mosquitoes hate vetiver, eucalyptus, geranium, patchouli, and lavender.
  • Flies also avoid basil, clove, citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
  • Mosquitoes are irritated by palo santo.

If flies gather around trash bins, inside or outside the house, wash them using one of these essential oils.

For mosquitoes, always keep Zanzarep and after-bite roll-on at hand.

Neem oil: one of the most effective insect repellents

Neem oil is an incredibly powerful natural repellent against all kinds of insects—but it doesn’t smell great. It’s best used outdoors, in garages or tool sheds, since its strong aroma can be unpleasant for both insects and humans!

The following essential oil blends effectively keep most insects away. Mix them in a spray bottle or use them with any preferred diffusion method. Alternatively, place essential oil drops on cotton pads and position them in discreet corners of the room.

General insect-repelling blends

Blend 1:

  • 20 drops eucalyptus
  • 10 drops basil
  • 10 drops lavender
  • 5 drops geranium
  • 5 drops peppermint

Blend 2:

  • 10 drops lemongrass
  • 3 drops peppermint
  • 5 drops lavender

Blend 3:

  • 10 drops eucalyptus
  • 5 drops basil
  • 3 drops clove
  • 5 drops lavender

 

Natural remedies for ants

Ants march into homes like tiny, determined armies—convincing them to retreat is best done with peppermint, eucalyptus, orange, and catnip essential oils.

Try our product Amica-Formica, you’ll be amazed at how quickly they disappear!

 

Final tips

Be cautious when using pure essential oils—they can damage painted surfaces and wooden floors. On tile or cement flooring, the best method is to create a barrier using essential oils, especially at entry points. Other effective barriers include chalk lines, chili powder, and mustard powder.

The combination of chalk lines and peppermint essential oil has worked wonders in many Mediterranean homes. If surface damage isn’t a concern, mix essential oils with these powders for an extra layer of protection.

(Excerpt from "The Big Book of Essential Oils")

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