🌿 Natural Bug Repellents for Ticks & Mosquitoes
If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably noticed everyone posting about ticks — giant ticks, surprise ticks, ticks in places ticks have no business being. It’s like the whole internet suddenly discovered what we in Missouri have known for generations: spring brings grass, sunshine, and way too many legs crawling where they shouldn’t.
And with the new Lyme disease vaccine expected next year, folks online are joking that the ticks must’ve gotten the memo early and decided to unionize.
We all know that ticks & mosquitos can be more than just a nuisance- they can carry diseases. So before you reach for store‑bought bug sprays, let's talk about what’s actually inside them. This week, we’re sharing why natural repellents are worth the switch, which essential oils are safe for kids (especially boys), and simple recipes and homestead strategies to keep your whole family protected.
What’s Really in Store‑Bought Bug Sprays
Commercial repellents work, but they come with trade‑offs many families don’t know about.
🧪 DEET
Can irritate skin and eyes
Melts plastics and some fabrics
Strong chemical odor
Not recommended for infants under 2 months
🧪 Permethrin
Effective on clothing, but never for skin
Toxic to cats and aquatic life
Persistent in the environment
🧪 Synthetic Fragrances
Often contain phthalates (hormone‑disrupting chemicals)
Can trigger headaches, asthma, and skin reactions
🧪 Aerosol Propellants
Increase inhalation exposure
Add unnecessary chemicals
Wasteful packaging
🌱 Essential Oils That Actually Repel Bugs
Clove
One of the strongest natural repellents tested
Provides 100+ minutes of protection against both mosquitoes and ticks at 10% concentration
Cinnamon
Performs similarly to clove
Strong repellent for both mosquitoes and black‑legged ticks
Lemon Eucalyptus
CDC recognized alternative to DEET.
Geranium
One of the strongest natural tick repellents
Citronella
Classic outdoor scent
mild tick repellent, strong mosquito repellent
Cedarwood
Safe for kids
Peppermint
Cooling, invigorating
Lavender
Gentle, calming but not recommended for boys
Mild tick repellent, strong mosquito repellent
👶 Kid‑Safe Essential Oils (With Special Notes for Boys)
Parents often assume all essential oils are safe, but some have hormone‑like activity that makes them inappropriate for boys. Here's a list of essential oils that are safe for boys & help repel bugs:
1. Cedarwood — YES
One of the best natural tick repellents
Gentle, grounding, kid‑friendly
2. Lemon — YES
Helps repel mosquitoes
Works best when combined with other oils
3. Fir Needle — YES (mild)
Mild tick‑repelling properties
Good supporting oil in blends
4. Pine — YES (mild)
Similar to fir needle
Helps deter insects outdoors
5. Black Spruce — YES (mild)
Not a powerhouse, but contributes to outdoor blends
6. Roman Chamomile Hydrosol — YES (very mild)
Gentle mosquito deterrent
Safe for babies and toddlers
Best sprayed on clothing, bedding, stroller canopies
❌ Repellent Oils to Avoid for Boys
These are popular in bug‑repellent recipes online, but not recommended for boys due to hormone‑like activity:
Lavender essential oil
Tea tree
Geranium
Lavandin
Clary sage
Fennel
Anise / Star anise
Dalmatian sage
🧴 Natural Bug Repellent Recipes
1. Kid‑Safe Bug Repellent Blend (Boy‑Safe)
Ingredients
¼ cup witch hazel
¼ cup apple scrap vinegar (For sale in our farmshop, or click here to learn how to make your own.)
4 drops cedarwood
3 drops lemon
2 drops fir needle
2 drops black spruce
Optional: 1 tbsp Roman chamomile hydrosol for extra gentleness
-Spray on boots, socks, and pants.
2. Strong Tick Repellent (For Adults & Older Kids)
Ingredients
1 oz witch hazel
7 drops geranium
4 drops peppermint
4 drops thyme
4 drops cedarwood
- Spray on boots, socks, pant legs, and hats.
3. Lemon Eucalyptus Power Spray
Great for humid evenings.
Ingredients
2 tbsp rubbing alcohol
1 cup witch hazel
1 cup filtered water
40 drops citronella
40 drops geranium
30 drops lemon eucalyptus
30 drops lavender
2 tsp vegetable glycerin
- Shake well and reapply every 2–3 hours.
4. Garlic Mosquito Spray (Garden‑Safe)
Ingredients
2 cups water
2 tsp avocado oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp lemon juice
- Infuse garlic in oil for 24 hours, strain, mix with water + lemon juice, and spray around outdoor areas.
Natural Homestead Tick Control
Sprays help, but the best results come from combining them with land‑based strategies.
🐔 1. Tick‑Eating Poultry
Guineas: the best tick hunters
Chickens: scratch through leaf litter
Muscovy ducks: quiet and effective
🌿 2. Plant Tick‑Repelling Herbs
Around porches, barns, and play areas:
Lavender
Rosemary
Lemongrass
Basil
Mint (in containers)
🌾 3. Manage Brush & Tall Grass
Ticks love shade and moisture. Trim fence lines, clear leaf piles, and keep grass short around barns.
🌲 4. Use Cedar Chips
Spread around:
Barn entrances
Play areas
Walkways
Outdoor seating
🔥 5. Keep Compost & Manure Managed
Turn piles regularly.
🪵 6. Create “Tick Break Zones”
A 3–4 ft border of gravel or wood chips around high‑traffic areas slows tick movement.
🌤️ Final Thoughts
Natural repellents don’t just smell better—they’re gentler on your skin, safer for your kids, and kinder to your land. With a few simple ingredients and some homestead‑friendly practices, you can protect your family all season long. Next week, we will be talking about bug repellent recipes and essential oils that are safe for pets and farm animals.
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