# Do Essential Oils Really Work as Insect Repellents?
**URL:** https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541
**Category:** Feedback & Chat
**Created:** [March 19, 2025, 10:00am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541 "2025-03-19T10:00:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@LindaWild](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/LindaWild)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:00am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/1 "2025-03-19T10:00:45Z")
Hey everyone!
I’ve been on a mission to ditch chemical sprays and switch to natural solutions, so I spent the summer testing essential oils as insect repellents. I mixed up DIY sprays with lavender, peppermint, and citronella for mosquitoes, and even tried tea tree oil for ants. Some results shocked me (mosquitoes hated my lemon eucalyptus blend!), but other times, I got devoured by bugs despite drenching myself in oils.
question: Are essential oils legit insect repellents, or just a wellness trend? I’ve seen studies saying lemon eucalyptus is CDC-approved, but does that mean all oils work? Let’s debate!
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### Author:  [@HomeHelper](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/HomeHelper)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:03am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/2 "2025-03-19T10:03:29Z")
Lemon eucalyptus oil is my GOAT for hikes! Kept mosquitoes away for 2 hours, but I had to reapply. DEET lasts longer, but I’ll take the trade-off for no chemicals. Anyone try it for ticks?
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### Author:  [@EcoWarrior](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/EcoWarrior)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:04am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/3 "2025-03-19T10:04:51Z")
@HomeHelper Tried citronella candles at a BBQ last week. Total waste, mosquitoes partied harder than my guests. Essential oils = overpriced air fresheners.
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### Author:  [@MightyMouser](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/MightyMouser)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:06am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/4 "2025-03-19T10:06:10Z")
Peppermint oil works for ants! I soaked cotton balls and put them near my pantry. Ants vanished in 2 days! But for mosquitoes? Not a chance.
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### Author:  [@EarthFriendlyTom](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/EarthFriendlyTom)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:08am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/5 "2025-03-19T10:08:03Z")
Mix 10 drops lavender + 10 drops tea tree oil + coconut oil. Rub it on skin—no bites during evening walks! 🌙 @EcoWarrior Citronella alone isn’t enough; blends are key!
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### Author:  [@BugByte](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/BugByte)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:09am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/6 "2025-03-19T10:09:20Z")
Used a “natural” lemongrass spray on my dog. Fleas laughed, then multiplied. Stick to vet-approved treatments for pets, folks!
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### Author:  [@purrfect\_home](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/purrfect_home)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:11am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/7 "2025-03-19T10:11:16Z")
@EarthFriendlyTom Love that blend! I add catnip oil, studies say it’s 10x stronger than DEET. But it stinks, so I mix it with vanilla. Works for backyard chilling!
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### Author:  [@HomeHelperHank](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/HomeHelperHank)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:14am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/8 "2025-03-19T10:14:09Z")
FAIL ALERT: Tried neem oil for garden aphids. My tomatoes smelled like garlic for weeks, but the aphids thrived. Back to ladybugs and soap spray…
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### Author:  [@EcoWarrior](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/EcoWarrior)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:15am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/9 "2025-03-19T10:15:53Z")
@purrfect_home Catnip oil? Now my cat’s obsessed with my arms. Still got bitten. Maybe I’m a mosquito magnet?
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### Author:  [@HomeHelper](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/HomeHelper)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:17am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/10 "2025-03-19T10:17:44Z")
@BugByte OMG, fleas are the worst! I use cedarwood oil diluted in water for dog bedding—keeps fleas away without harsh meds.
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### Author:  [@EarthFriendlyTom](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/EarthFriendlyTom)
#### Post date: [March 19, 2025, 10:19am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/11 "2025-03-19T10:19:42Z")
@HomeHelperHank Neem’s tricky! Mix it with castile soap and water—kills aphids without the stink. But yeah, ladybugs are the real MVPs.
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### Author:  [@OilObserver](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/OilObserver)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2025, 2:55am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/12 "2025-09-09T02:55:04Z")
Research shows some essential oils really can repel mosquitoes—for example, lemongrass and peppermint oils reduced mosquito attraction for up to 60 minutes, and cinnamon oil kept them away for as long as 2 hours!
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### Author:  [@NatureNerd1](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/NatureNerd1)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2025, 2:58am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/13 "2025-09-09T02:58:49Z")
Yes, another study tested oils like basil, sage, petitgrain, and coriander. They provided protection against different mosquito species anywhere from 120 to 360 minutes depending on the species and oil.
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### Author:  [@DIYDefender](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/DIYDefender)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2025, 3:00am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/14 "2025-09-09T03:00:51Z")
@NatureNerd1 That’s wild, I always thought citrus oils like lemon eucalyptus were just hype. Turns out lemon eucalyptus (PMD) is actually EPA-registered as a natural biopesticide.
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### Author:  [@CatnipFan](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/CatnipFan)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2025, 3:05am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/15 "2025-09-09T03:05:26Z")
Can’t forget catnip oil, it repelled over 70% of mosquitoes for 1–4 hours even at just 2% concentration. That’s comparable to some low-dose DEET!
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### Author:  [@SkepticalSue](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/SkepticalSue)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/16 "2025-09-09T03:08:01Z")
But keep in mind essential oils evaporate fast. Experts say they only give short-term protection unless in special formulations, so you’d need to reapply frequently to stay safe.
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### Author:  [@EcoExpert](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/EcoExpert)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2025, 3:42am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/17 "2025-09-09T03:42:27Z")
Exactly. Oils like citronella, lavender, and peppermint work briefly, 30 mins to an hour, but they’re best used alongside screens, clothing barriers, or DEET for serious defense.
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### Author:  [@TickTracker](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/TickTracker)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2025, 3:44am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/18 "2025-09-09T03:44:57Z")
And for ticks? Oils like geraniol, rosemary, and peppermint show promise but aren’t tested enough yet, CDC still recommends EPA-approved repellents for high-risk areas.
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### Author:  [@BlendWatcher](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/BlendWatcher)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2025, 3:53am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/19 "2025-09-09T03:53:09Z")
Some studies even noted that mixing oils can reduce effectiveness! A cinnamon + thyme blend didn’t beat DEET. So, more is not always better.
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### Author:  [@abeccot](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/abeccot)
#### Post date: [September 9, 2025, 3:54am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/do-essential-oils-really-work-as-insect-repellents/2541/20 "2025-09-09T03:54:43Z")
Don’t underestimate plants either, growing lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, or basil around outdoor spaces can give natural deterrence and beautify your garden too.
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