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Wouldn’t it be great if insects didn’t like the smell of indoor air?
Then they’ll be happy to avoid your house!
These 4 essential oils that repel insects can make a dream come true. I use it in diffuser blends, so its people-friendly, bug-busting scents can fill your indoor air and keep pests out of your space.
The main essential oil in this mixture might surprise you. It’s catnip! (Yes, the crazy kitty maker!)
Catnip essential oil repels insects – especially mosquitoes!
Some catnip oils contain high levels of Nibitalactone, Which has been shown in studies to repel flying insects, including mosquitoes. One study showed that the percentage of expulsion is over 95%!
In this blend, I combine catnip rich in nibitalactone with three other essential oils that repel insects. I’ll talk a little more about each of these oils after the recipe.
Diffuser blend “Keep the insects away with catnip”
- 5 drops of catnip essential oil (Nepita Kataria)
- 2 drops of cedarwood essential oil (Juniperus virginiana)
- 2 drops of Palmarosa essential oil (Symbobojon Martini Where Dead)
- 1 drop of patchouli essential oil (Caplin Bogostemon)
This blend features a floral and herbal scent of catnip, with sweet, woody and earthy notes.
You have already learned why Catnip is so effective against pesky pests!
Let’s talk about the other bug repelling essential oils in our diffuser blend.
Cedar wood oil
Juniperus virginiana
Cedar wood is popularly used in cupboards to keep moths out of clothes. You can find cedar boards to hang on clothes hangers, pellets for drawers, and cedar spray to protect your clothes. (Some of the cabins are even made of cedar!)
And moths aren’t the only insects that do not like cedar wood. Mosquitoes, ants, fleas, flies, and spiders also tend to avoid it.
Cedar wood component Cedrol It likely plays a big part in making him so repugnant to bugs.
Palmarosa essential oil
Symbobojon Martini Where Dead
Contains Palmarosa Geraniol, Which has been shown to repel a variety of microbes, fungi and pests – including mosquitoes.
Diffusion Palmarosa oil can also help purify indoor air, reducing the presence of airborne microbes. You will love this oil if you occasionally get a cold in the spring!
Patchouli essential oil
Caplin Bogostemon
In one study, patchouli was among the 38 most effective essential oils studied to repel mosquitoes! This explains why it is such a popular natural insect repellent.
We can thank her main ingredient Patchouli For this. Research shows that it repels several types of insects.
What to do if you are bitten by an insect
On the occasion I forgot my repellant and got a bite, I like to use essential oils to soothe the itch.
Try Essential Itch Away Spray (from our blog!), Made with aloe vera, lavender, peppermint, and a couple of other skin-soothing oils.
References
Reichert, W., Ejercito, J., Guda, T., Dong, X., Wu, Q., Ray, A., Simon, JE (2019) Repellent Assessment of Nepita Kataria The essential oils and nepetalactone isolated on Aedes aegypti. Science delegate 9, 1524.
Peterson, CJ, Coats, JR (December 2011) Catnip essential oil and nepalactone isomers as mosquito repellents. Iowa State University, Entomology Publications.
Muller, GC, Junnila, A., Butler, J., Kravchenko, VD, Revay, EE, Weiss, RW, Schlein, Y. (2009) The efficacy of the phytocides geraniol, linalool, and Citronella against mosquitoes. Journal of Vector Ecology. June; 34 (1): 2-8. Doi: 10.1111 / j.1948-7134.2009.00002.x.
Trongtokit, Y., Rongsriyam, Y., Komalamisra, N., Apiwathnasorn, C. (2005) Comparative expulsion of 38 essential oils against mosquito bites. Phytotherapy Research. April; 19 (4): 303–9. Doi: 10.1002 / ptr.1637.
Yi-Xi Feng, Yang Wang, Chun-Xue You, Shan-Shan Guo, Yue-Shen Du, and Shu-Shan Du (2019) The vital activities of patcholol and fluoroacetophenone from Caplin Bogostemon Essential Oil Against Three Insects, International Journal of Food Properties, 22: 1, 1365-1374, DOI: 10.1080 / 10942912.2019.1648508
Karen works as Associate Director of Education at Aromahead Institute, where she works closely with students and assists them in obtaining aromatherapy certification. Karen’s strong values of healthcare, education, and sustainable practices have guided her entire career, and the principles that shape her daily activities remain at Aromahead. Karen loves to share her knowledge of essential oils and how they can enhance the beauty of one’s journey in life and she has authored numerous articles and guides on safe and effective therapeutic uses of essential oils. In Karen’s spare time, you can find her taking a walk in nature, reading and having fun with her family.
Threads: Bugs repellent essential oilAnd the GeraniolAnd the Palmarosa essential oilAnd the Cedar wood oilAnd the Patchouli essential oilAnd the Diffuse essential oilsAnd the How to use catnip essential oilAnd the CedrolAnd the Nibitalactone
