7 Natural Insect Repellents

Discover Natural Bug Repellents

To many, biting insects are the very definition of annoying. Plus, mosquitoes and ticks can sometimes carry diseases, from Lyme disease to West Nile virus. Long clothes can certainly help, but that's not always an option in the heat of summer. The active ingredient in most bug sprays, N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, or DEET, has been shown to be effective, but it has also come under fire in recent years by health researchers. DEET has been found to impede cognition in some animal studies. Plus, some people find that DEET-based repellents have a harsh, chemical smell and feel. Many families are looking for more natural alternatives, which can be made from plant oils like citronella, lemongrass, peppermint and cedarwood. For example, California Baby's sprays are designed to soothe existing bites while repelling fleas, mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies -- all with pleasant smelling (and sustainably harvested) essential plant oils.

Do note that most natural bug repellents must be refreshed more often than DEET-based products, because they aren't quite as long lasting.

Aubrey Organics

Natural products pioneer Aubrey Organics offers an herbal, DEET-free bug spray that also includes SPF protection.

Badger Balm

Not all bug protection must come in the form of sprays. Available in tins and a push-up stick, Badger Balm's Anti-Bug formula is soothing to dry skin, and repels pests with oils of citronella, rosemary, cedar and geranium.

Product: Badger Balm push-up stick and tin
Active Ingredients: 5% citronella oil, 2% cedar oil, 2% lemongrass oil, 1% rosemary oil and 1% geranium oil
Cost: $10 for 1.5 ounces (stick), $10 for 2 ounces (tin)

Kiss My Face Swy Flotter

The playfully named Swy Flotter insect repellent from natural products company Kiss My Face offers DEET-free protection from mosquitoes, ticks and other pests.

Ingredients include isopropyl palmitate (from coconut oil), cyclomethicone (from silica) and essential oils. The most recent formulations of Swy Flotter no longer contain parabens, which the Environmental Working Group points out have been linked to allergies, harm in animal studies and possibly endocrine disruption. Parabens are still found in many conventional personal care products, and their safety is now being debated.

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellent from Spectrum Brands is said to be proven effective against mosquitoes, deer ticks and no-see-ums for up to six hours. Oil of lemon eucalyptus has been listed by the CDC as effective protection against mosquitoes that may carry West Nile virus.

Bite Blocker

Billing itself as America's most popular DEET-free insect repellent, HOMS LLC's Bite Blocker comes in a variety of formulas, including an SPF 20 sunscreen. The company uses organic herbal ingredients, and says independent lab tests have shown its products to be as effective as DEET 7%.

Bite Blocker Herbal Wipes

Designed especially for applying insect repellent to children without getting product in their eyes or mouths, Bite Blocker's herbal wipes make protection easy. Towelettes are made of soybean and coconut oil, glycerin, geranium oil, sodium bicarbonate and vanillin. Bite Blocker also makes repellents for pets and clothing.

Product: Bite Blocker herbal spray
Active Ingredients: Coconut, soybean and geranium oils
Cost: $8.99 for 4 ounces

Product: Bite Blocker herbal lotion
Active Ingredients: Coconut, soybean and geranium oils
Cost: $8.50 for 4 ounces

Product: Bite Blocker herbal wipes
Active Ingredients: Coconut, soybean and geranium oils
Cost: $8.50 for 20 wipes