Ever get woken up whilst camping with that annoying buzzing sound? The one where you know if you don’t do something, you and your family are going to get up the next morning with bites the size of quarters all over? Not only that, but in many parts of the world, being bitten by mosquitos can lead to unwanted disease and infection like West Nile, dengue, Zika virus, and malaria.
In the past, I had used traditional mosquito repellants but once I started my sustainability journey, found that these usually contain synthetic chemicals like DEET or Picaridin, which are harmful to human and pets.
Well there is a new buzz (pardon the pun), and that is the discovery of Natural Bug Sprays – the long forgotten secrets of our grandparents that can make you feel safe, knowing your protecting your family from the mosquitos, but without the harsh chemicals that could actually harm their health.
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Our Criteria Used to Rate the ‘Best Natural Bug Sprays’
Given that these sprays are going on your skin, we used the same criteria we look to rate all products in the sustainable and ethical beauty category with:
- Non-toxic: Alongside ingredients to avoid in skincare, we look for zero toxins or chemicals (especially DEET), in favor of proven science-backed, natural solutions.
- Ethically sourced ingredients
- Companies that produce their products in a cruelty-free or vegan manner
- Palm-oil free or at a minimum RSPO-certified products
- Thoughtfully packaged products that are zero waste or as low waste as possible
List of Our Recommended ‘Natural Bug Sprays’
- Best of Nature – Anti-Bug Spray is a 100% natural, pleasant smelling bug repellent, which uses pure essential oils to naturally keep bugs, mosquitoes and insects away. We love that when we tried it, it actually worked and we came away from our weekend away bite-free.
2. Badger Balm – Made from organic and cruelty free ingredients, this DEET-free bug repellent is independently lap tested to repel mosquitos and stable flies. It smells great, and can be used by the entire family. The base of castor olive and extra virgin olive oil protect and soften skin, while cedar, citronella, and lemongrass keep bugs away.
3. Bug Soother – Certified organic, the parent company Eco-Lips has a mission to produce good-for-you products at affordable prices. They also have an active presence in contributing to local community through donations.
4. Hello Bello – Chemical free from a company that really looks to make the world a better place for the next generation. We love that their packaging of 10oz bottles already comes as predegraded plastic meaning they have already put their money where their mouth is.
7. Meow Meow Tweet Bug Spay – This company produces its products in a cruelty free manner and sources its ingredients sustainably, supporting regenerative farming practices. They also strongly support reducing waste and have practices in place to reduce their trash by 15% year on year.
You can also make your Own!
So many of the store bought ‘natural’ sprays actually contain ingredients that you can obtain to make your own, which is often cheaper than buying – and especially if you only need a small quantity.
You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup witch hazel
- 1/4 cup distilled or filtered water
- 10–15 drops of essential oil (citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, or a combination)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin (optional, helps the mixture stick to your skin)
In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients, stir well, and pour into a spray bottle.
Then just be sure to shake prior to each use to ensure the ingredients are well mixed.
