Every year I can't wait for summer to arrive. Life gets taken out side, put on the road, in the garden or the swimming pool. Longer sunny days bring with them a sense of freedom and holiday. Nature is in her stride, exploding in colour everywhere! So much beauty, bloom and buzz in the air.
Yes. Buzz. Of the annoying bug variety.
Bug bites are definitely uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. So of course we want to deter those bugs, right? But how? Do we reach for lab created chemicals or turn to time-tested natural ingredients? Which direction to go in?
Some guidance from Human Health and Safety Orgs
EWG, (Environmental Working Group) surprisingly, leans heavily towards the use of chemicals over natural ingredients. When I first read this, I had to give my head a shake; it seemed so far off their mission to spotlight non-toxic ingredients. Then I read a little closer, between the lines. Their concern is the increase of tick-borne diseases. As such, they are recommending blanket-blasting all ticks and bugs with everything allowable in the chemical arsenal—all within safe, diluted parameters, of course.
Health Canada takes a more broad view, recommending a variety of things: bug repelling chemicals applied on the skin or emanated out through an electronic device; clothing treated with a bug repellent; Soybean Oil rubbed onto the skin; and blends of specific essential oils with pesticide properties. Their approach seems more evenhanded, taking into account safety considerations and individual preferences. In their list, there is something for everyone. How Canadian, eh? I just love that!
The Power of Plants in to Repel Insects Naturally
The use of plants for medicinal purposes dates back thousands of years. One of the earliest records was found on a Sumerian clay tablet in Nagpur, India, over 5,000 years ago. It listed 12 medicinal recipes using more than 250 plants, including poppy, henbane, and mandrake. There’s even evidence that animals like monkeys and apes use plants medicinally. In Costa Rica, monkeys have been seen rubbing pepper plants on their fur to repel parasites, a practice also adopted by local people.
Today, traditional plant knowledge continues to play a role in health and protection. In Laos, for example, researchers have documented the use of over 90 different plants to keep biting insects away. Flavonoids—natural compounds found in many plant extracts and essential oils—are now being studied for their insect-repelling properties, as well as their benefits for inflammation, cardiovascular health, and disease prevention.
A 2023 study published in Molecules highlights another concern: repeated use of chemical repellents like DEET can lead to mosquito resistance. This has already been reported in countries such as Colombia, Brazil, India, and Thailand. In contrast, plant-based ingredients were found to be effective, biodegradable, and safer for the environment and non-target species—though often for a shorter period, requiring more frequent reapplication.
Try Making your own Natural Bug Spray
In the spirit of the ancients meeting Health Canada’s recommendations, here are a selection of bug spray recipes. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, insects use a variety of cues to locate us—some are drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale, while others track scent, body heat, vibrations, or even the colors we wear. The key to staying under their radar is making yourself less detectable, and that’s where essential oils come in—they work by disrupting the insects’ sensory receptors. For example:
-
Mosquitoes are repelled by scents like citronella, lemon eucalyptus, basil, catnip, lavender, rosemary and garlic
-
Ants and flies dislike mint, lavender, rosemary, catnip, basil, and bay–they’ll want to keep you at bay.
-
Tiny gnats and fleas find citronella, lemongrass, lavender, rosemary and rose geranium to be no-go zones.
-
Ticks and lice are put off by lemon eucalyptus, pine and geranium.
-
Cockroaches skitter away from catnip and pine
-
Moths steer clear of of lavender
If you’re looking for pet-friendly DIY options, check out these recipes from Adored Beast Apothecary. Their blog also provides additional tips and tricks to keep your fur babies safe.
Plants that Keep Bugs away in the Garden
Lazy days and nights in the garden, barbeque going and cold drinks flowing…Sounds wonderful, right? Until mosquitoes, black flies and other airborne pests come in to join the fun. But there are plants you can put in the ground or in pots on your patio that can help deter the pests. Here are some plants to consider:
1. Citronella
Not a surprise, since citronella essential oil is used in many natural mosquito repellents and in patio candles. It’s actually a grass that you can plant in your garden. It’s a little extra insurance against biting pests. Citronella grass can grow up to 6 feet tall and 6 feet wide, so be sure to space them accordingly. The grass also prefers filtered sunlight (think: in the sun but with a tree overhead) and frequent watering.
2. Lavender
Lavender delivers a double blessing. Growing these beneficent plants in your garden or in patio planters can attract helpful pollinators like butterflies and bees. But it can also repel mosquitoes. It’s the Linalool in the aroma of lavender that does it. Bonus: you can use Lavender Oil neat on your skin as a bug repellent–its’ the only essential oil you can apply with having to dilute it first.
3. Marigolds
These might not be your automatic go-to when thinking about mosquito repellent. Truth is, marigolds have several insecticidal components, making them beloved by gardeners and landscapers, according to a 2020 study. Like other insect repelling plants, its the scent from the marigold flowers that can help keep bugs at bay. Bonus: Marigolds work well in the ground or in containers, are relatively low-maintenance and produce beautiful, colorful flowers all summer long.
4. Rosemary
Lovely, pungent rosemary leaves contain oils that have been shown to be an effective mosquito repellent, according to a 2021 study in the Journal of Physics. It is easy to grow in a garden, a window box or a pot. Bonus: Having Rosemary around takes your recipe to the next level while boosting your immune system.
5. Basil
According to a 2020 study in the Journal of Physics, basil leaves have compounds that can kill mosquito larvae before they hatch, helping reduce the number of mosquitoes in your garden. Basil plants also help attract pollinators to help your yard and garden thrive. Bonus: Their leaves make a delicious pesto (keep scrolling for my favourite pesto recipe)
6. Mint
According to the Cornell Cooperative Extension, menthol, the active insect-fighting ingredient in mint has biocidal properties that help repel and control mites, mosquitoes and various other pests. It grows anywhere and in any kind of conditions. If your thumb is not so green, this plant is one you just can’t kill. If you don't want it to spread all over your garden, make sure to grow it in its own pot. Once it's thriving, you can use mint leaves for a variety of foods and beverages.
Shoo Fly! Outdoor Spray Stories
Here’s a bit of heartwarming, real-life feedback about our Shoo Fly! Outdoor Spray and how well it works.
We were at the Mission Folk Festival, soaking up the sun, enjoying the music, and chatting with folks who were trying out our products. Along came a little guy with a sad face.
"Why so glum, chum?" I asked. He told me he had been stung by a wasp and lifted his forearm to show me a huge, angry red welt. His mum asked if I had anything that might help.
“Give Shoo Fly! a try,” I said, and explained a bit about the formula. I told them it was packed with powerful plants like witch hazel and aloe vera to calm the sting and help speed up healing; tea tree, geranium, and peppermint essential oils to cool the bite area and help Skin recover and;Neem, cedarwood, and basil oils to help keep bugs away.
Mom gave it a quick spray on the sting, and off they went.
The next day, they were back—this time with big smiles! The little guy proudly showed me his arm. The swelling was almost completely gone!
“Thank you!” said his mom as she picked up a bottle to keep with her for the rest of the summer. And I had the satisfaction of a job well done. A round of smiles for the house!
The Bottom Line
Don't let mosquitoes and other bugs ruin your time outdoors. If you're trying to avoid chemical-laden bug sprays, there are plenty of natural options you can try. If you want to DIY it, try the recipes above. Or you can try our Shoo Fly! Outdoor Spray made with oils that bugs detest and plant extracts that provide after bite care.
Consider adding beautiful, fragrant, colourful flowers, grasses and herbs to your garden. It's a win-win: pests deterred and fresh herbs and flowers you can add to your meals.
Do you have a favourite natural way of keeping the summer bugs away? Please share it with us.