Citronella is a fantastic scent that those little flying creatures do NOT like – that is FOR SURE. But, did you know there are some other fantastic oils to use while you’re enjoying the great outdoors, including a relatively new one. PLUS, read to the end to see which oil I love to put on the places that DO get bitten.

First, let’s talk about what many people believe to be the best bug repellant – DEET. First of all, yes, it works very effectively…but it might be at a price. A 2002 study by the New England Journal of Medicine reported that DEET was the longest-acting formulation (between 3-6 hours per application). All non-DEET products tested (citronella included as well as Avon’s Skin So Soft – remember that?) had much shorter protection time – some as short as 12-15 SECONDS!

So DEET definitely works. I’ll admit I’ve used it the three times I went to Uganda because I definitely DIDN’T want to get malaria! It’s strong – and instead of spraying it on my skin, I sprayed my clothes and other things around me. BUT…

Long-term use of DEET may not be wise. According to an article posted on Dr. Eric Zielinski’s website he write for with his wife, Sabrina, heavy use may result in breathing challenges, cramping, skin issues, low sperm count, Gulf War Syndrome, behavioral challenges and more. An article on Dr Josh Axe’s website also warns that DEET may be harmful to your pets too.

One thing Eric and Sabrina note on in their article is that everyone’s body chemistry is different. You know how some of the people in your family are delicious for the bugs while others are totally ignored? That’s because we all taste and smell different, based on our chemistry so you may need to play around to find the oils that work for you.

AND – don’t forget to reapply OFTEN, like every 30 minutes or so, especially if you’re sweating it off. DEET works because it coats your skin. Essential oils don’t do that – they absorb.

So, what are some good alternatives? Here’s a short list:

CLOVE – this is one of the best oils in my opinion. Not only is it rated as the most effective to keep the critters away, it’s also amazing for oral health too. So, if you need to limit what you’re taking camping or traveling, take your clove. It smells AMAZING and you can use it for to keep bugs at bay AND swish your mouth out with some clean water for fresh breath and killing germs.

LEMON EUCALYPTUS – Shockingly, this one is from Australia – you know, where the koala who eat eucalyptus live? It’s a fresh, clean and contains both citronellal and citronellol (sounds like citronella, huh?).

CEDARWOOD – I LOVE this oil for diffusing and I use a drop of this in my shampoo, along with Rosemary every time I wash my hair. Plus, I’m a huge fan of all things “woodsy.”

PATCHOULI – Hands down, my favorite essential oil smell. I don’t even care if I smell like some dirty hippy. I love this smell. And the fact that I have an excuse to wear it to keep the critters away makes me love it even more.

PEPPERMINT – Possibly the most versatile of all the oils. You can use this oil for pretty much anything. I put a drop in my coffee every morning. You can use it if you’re having head tension, muscle tightness or as a breath freshener. And, apparently, it works for bugs. You can use it to repel spiders and ants.

THYME – A yummy, warm smell. With a rich history with knights and ladies as well as the ancient Greeks, this oil has many indications and can be used in cooking as well.

TERRASHIELD – This one is fantastic because it’s a blend of many of these oils above: Citronella, Lemongrass, Thyme, Cedarwood, Geranium, and Peppermint essential oils in a base of Sesame Seed Oil. It smells really good too. I make a spray using this oil and Citronella together in a 2 oz glass bottle with some witch hazel (or grain alcohol or vodka) and filtered water. Remember – spray it often.

Finally – if you DO get one of those buggers to actually bite you, I HIGHLY recommend MANUKA oil. This is a relatively unknown oil, also from Australia. I’ve had some mosquito bites this summer that were driving me absolutely crazy itching and when I put a drop of Manuka oil on them, they instantly stopped bothering me. Unfortunately, doTERRA doesn’t sell this oil in the American market (at least not yet). I bought mine from Melaleuca.

Ok – so there you go! I hope this helps. Please leave a comment below on how you like to use essential oils for keeping the bugs at bay.

None of this information is meant to be taken as medical advice – it is for informational and educational purposes only.