Keep Insects Away Naturally: Here Are the Essential Oils That Work
, by Tatianna Gerard, 15 min reading time
Insects are an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t mean they have to invade your home or spoil your outdoor plans. From mosquitoes and midges to silverfish and clothes moths, these tiny pests can cause anything from itchy bites to damage to your belongings. While chemical repellents have been a traditional solution, more and more people are turning to natural alternatives for a safer, more environmentally friendly approach.
This shift toward natural solutions is part of a growing trend. Sustainability is becoming a key factor for many consumers, with a significant portion of Australians prioritising eco-friendly choices. In fact, a 2022 survey revealed that over 38% of Australian consumers consistently consider sustainability when making purchase decisions. This increasing awareness has paved the way for natural insect deterrents, which not only provide effective protection but also align with a more sustainable lifestyle.
What are natural insect deterrents?
Natural insect deterrents are solutions derived from plants, essential oils, and other naturally occurring substances that help repel insects without relying on synthetic chemicals. Unlike traditional chemical repellents, which often contain ingredients like DEET or picaridin, natural deterrents utilise the properties of certain scents, oils, or plants that insects find unpleasant or overwhelming.
These deterrents are designed to work in harmony with nature, making them a safer and more eco-conscious choice for individuals and families who prefer to avoid harsh chemicals. They’re particularly popular among those with sensitive skin, young children, or pets, as well as anyone looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
How do natural insect deterrents work?
Natural insect deterrents operate by interfering with the sensory systems that insects use to locate their targets, such as humans, animals, or food sources. Insects rely on chemical cues, heat detection, and visual signals to navigate their environment and identify potential hosts or habitats. Natural repellents disrupt these processes, making it harder for insects to find or settle on their targets. Here’s a closer look at how these repellents work:
1. Masking human scents
Insects like mosquitoes are highly attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale, as well as other compounds found in sweat and body odour. Natural repellents, particularly those made with oils like citronella, lemongrass, and peppermint, create a barrier of strong, unfamiliar scents that mosquitos hate. This barrier effectively masks the natural cues insects use to detect humans, making it difficult for them to zero in on their prey.
2. Overloading sensory systems
Many insects have highly sensitive olfactory systems, which they use to detect specific odours. Clove, eucalyptus, and lavender oils emit powerful scents that overwhelm these sensory receptors. By bombarding insects with strong smells, these oils essentially "short-circuit" their ability to process the chemical signals they rely on to locate food or shelter.
Common forms of natural insect deterrents
Natural repellents come in a variety of forms to suit different needs and preferences, such as:
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Essential oil sprays: Mixed with water or carrier oils for use on skin, clothing, or household surfaces.
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Diffusers and candles: Used to spread insect-repelling scents in indoor or outdoor spaces.
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Herbal sachets: Filled with dried herbs like lavender or peppermint, ideal for wardrobes or drawers.
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Insect-repelling plants: Planted in gardens or pots to naturally deter pests.
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Creams and balms: Applied directly to the skin for outdoor protection.
Common household and outdoor insects and their natural deterrents
Here’s a detailed look at common insects you might encounter both indoors and outdoors, along with the natural deterrents that effectively repel them. For each insect, we’ll explore the specific scents or oils that work against them and how these repellents interfere with the insects’ behaviour or physiology.
1. Mosquitoes
Problems they cause: Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance with their itchy bites, but they can also transmit diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and Zika virus. In Australia, they’re known for spreading the Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, and more recently, Japanese encephalitis, which has been making headlines in New South Wales due to its detection in new areas.
Natural deterrents:
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Citronella oil: Masks human scents like carbon dioxide and lactic acid, which mosquitoes use to locate hosts.
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Lemon eucalyptus oil: Contains PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol), a compound that repels mosquitoes by disrupting their olfactory system.
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Lavender oil: Acts as both a repellent and a calming scent for humans; its linalool content is unpleasant to mosquitoes.
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Peppermint oil: Repels mosquitoes with its strong aroma while providing a cooling effect on the skin.
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Basil: Emits compounds like estragole and eugenol, which are toxic to mosquitoes.
How they work: These natural repellents confuse mosquitoes by masking or overwhelming their sensory receptors, making it difficult for them to detect human odours.
2. Midges
Problems they cause: Midges, particularly biting midges, leave irritating bites that can cause redness and swelling.
Natural deterrents:
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Lemon balm: Its strong citrus scent deters midges effectively.
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Clove oil: Contains eugenol, which repels midges by irritating their sensory systems.
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Rosemary oil: Acts as both a repellent and an environmental enhancer with its aromatic properties.
How it works: The strong, aromatic compounds in these oils overstimulate the sensory receptors of midges, deterring them from landing or biting.
3. Sandflies
Problems they cause: Sandflies are notorious for their painful bites and can transmit diseases like leishmaniasis.
Natural deterrents:
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Geranium oil: Contains citronellol and geraniol, which repel sandflies effectively.
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Eucalyptus oil: Masks the carbon dioxide and sweat odours that attract sandflies.
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Tea tree oil: Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties also deter sandflies.
How it works: These oils create a repellent barrier by confusing the sandflies’ ability to locate hosts and deterring them on contact.
4. Silverfish
Problems they cause: Silverfish are destructive pests that feed on books, wallpaper, and stored fabrics.
Natural deterrents:
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Cedarwood oil: Its cedar aroma repels silverfish by emitting compounds they find toxic.
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Clove oil: Contains eugenol, which silverfish avoid due to its strong scent.
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Lavender oil: Disrupts their preferred environment by introducing an overwhelming fragrance.
How it works: The oils either act as irritants or create an environment that silverfish find uninhabitable.
5. Clothes moths
Problems they cause: Clothes moths lay eggs that hatch into larvae, which feed on natural fibres like wool and silk.
Natural deterrents:
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Cedarwood oil: Emits natural pheromones that disrupt the moths’ life cycle.
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Peppermint oil: Masks the scent of natural fibres, deterring moths from laying eggs.
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Rosemary oil: Acts as a strong repellent due to its pungent aroma.
How it works: These oils repel moths by creating an environment that deters egg-laying and disrupts their navigation.
6. Bed bugs
Problems they cause: Bed bugs are notorious for their itchy bites and their ability to hide in small crevices.
Natural deterrents:
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Tea tree oil: Contains terpenes that repel and kill bed bugs.
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Lavender oil: Acts as both a deterrent and a natural insecticide for bed bugs.
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Peppermint oil: Repels bed bugs with its strong scent.
How it works: These oils disrupt bed bugs’ movement and feeding by repelling them or acting as natural contact irritants.
7. Ants
Problems they cause: Ants invade homes in search of food, leaving trails that attract other ants.
Natural deterrents:
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Peppermint oil: Blocks the pheromone trails that ants use to communicate.
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Tea tree oil: Disrupts their scent trails and acts as a contact repellent.
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Citrus oils: Contains limonene, which is toxic to ants and masks food scents.
How it works: These oils disrupt the ants’ communication system, making it harder for them to navigate and forage.
8. Cockroaches
Problems they cause: Cockroaches contaminate food and surfaces, posing health risks through the spread of bacteria.
Natural deterrents:
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Eucalyptus oil: Acts as a strong repellent due to its sharp scent.
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Peppermint oil: Overwhelms cockroaches’ sensory systems.
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Bay leaves: Emit compounds that cockroaches avoid.
How it works: These deterrents either repel cockroaches through scent or act as irritants, driving them away from treated areas.
9. Spiders
Problems they cause: While most spiders are harmless, their webs and presence can be unsettling to some people.
Natural deterrents:
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Peppermint oil: Repels spiders by overstimulating their sensory receptors.
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Citrus oils: Spiders are averse to the smell of citrus fruits like lemons and oranges.
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Lavender oil: Acts as a mild deterrent due to its aromatic strength.
How it works: The strong odours emitted by these oils create an environment spiders find unpleasant, encouraging them to move elsewhere.
10. Houseflies
Problems they cause: Houseflies are not only annoying but can spread bacteria and contaminate food. These pests can spread diseases such as salmonella, E. coli, typhoid fever, dysentery, and cholera. By landing on decaying organic matter, faeces, or garbage, flies pick up pathogens on their bodies and transfer them to food, utensils, or surfaces, leading to potential contamination and illness.
Natural deterrents:
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Basil: The strong smell of fresh basil repels flies effectively.
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Lavender oil: Overwhelms flies’ olfactory senses.
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Mint: Acts as a natural fly repellent with its sharp aroma.
How it works: These repellents mask the odours that attract flies and overwhelm their sensory receptors, making them avoid treated areas.
Limitations
While natural insect deterrents offer many benefits, they are not without their limitations.
1. Shorter duration of effectiveness
One of the most significant limitations of natural deterrents is their shorter protection time compared to synthetic repellents. Most natural oils and plant-based solutions evaporate quickly, reducing their effectiveness after a few hours, which generally lasts about 1-4 hours.
2. Potential for skin sensitivity
Although generally milder than synthetic repellents, natural deterrents are not entirely risk-free. Proper dilution is required to minimise irritation. Essential oils, especially in high concentrations, can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. For example:
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Clove oil and cinnamon oil are highly potent and may cause redness or a burning sensation if not properly diluted.
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Citronella oil can be too harsh for babies or people with very sensitive skin.
3. Limited range of effectiveness
Natural deterrents often target specific insects but may not be effective against others. For example:
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Lavender oil is great for repelling mosquitoes and moths but may not deter ants or cockroaches effectively.
- Peppermint oil works well for spiders and ants but is less effective against flies or midges.
Convenient, ready-to-use natural repellents
While the idea of creating your own natural insect repellent can be appealing, it’s not always practical. Fortunately, natural repellents don’t have to be a DIY project. Many trusted brands have done the hard work for you, expertly blending essential oils into safe, effective formulations. These ready-to-use products are designed not only for application on the skin but also for use on surfaces in your home, making it easier than ever to protect yourself and your environment from pesky insects.
Pre-formulated natural repellents: Safe and effective
Brands that specialise in natural insect repellents combine essential oils with the right carrier bases to ensure their products are:
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Safe for skin: These formulations are diluted to levels that are gentle and non-irritating, even for sensitive skin or children.
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Effective on surfaces: Designed for use on bedding, furniture, or clothing, they offer versatile protection for your home.
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Scientifically balanced: Professional formulations optimise the concentration of active ingredients for maximum efficacy without overpowering scents or excessive reapplication.
Australian brands to try
Australia is home to several brands that offer outstanding natural insect repellent products. These brands provide a blend of essential oils tailored to repel insects, protect your family, and enhance your living spaces.
1. Good Riddance Insect Repellents Range
Why it’s worth trying: The Tropical range is crafted with pure essential oils, such as citronella and Australian lemon-scented tea tree oils, known for their insect-repelling properties. For those with sensitive skin, babies, or pregnant women, the Sensitive range offers a gentle alternative made with lavender and geranium oils. Both ranges include a luxurious cream base with shea butter and sustainably sourced beeswax, offering hydration and nourishment while protecting you from biting insects.
Perfect for: Skin application during outdoor activities (garden, hikes, beach etc.)
Bonus: Approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). This means it’s safe and effective for family use as insect repellents. Plus,the packaging is not only fully recyclable but also designed with an enzyme that accelerates decomposition. If the tubes end up in landfill, they break down in under 10 years—much faster than traditional plastics!
2. Euclove Linen & Bedding Spray
Why it’s worth trying: This versatile spray combines essential oils like neem oil, Blue Gum Eucalyptus essential oil, lavender essential oil, Vetiver oil to repel insects while leaving your bedding and furniture smelling fresh. It not only prevents infestations by pests like bed bugs, dust mites, lice, and silverfish but also protects your home from becoming a breeding ground for unwanted bugs.
Perfect for: Spraying on beds, couches, and fabric-covered surfaces for all-around protection.
Bonus: It’s eco-friendly, made with 70% of post-consumer recycled plastic in Australia, easy to use, and doubles as a natural freshener for your living spaces!
3. SAN-AIR Mozzyno Gel Diffuser
Why it’s worth trying: This unique gel diffuser is infused with SAN-AIR’s proprietary blend of essential oils, including lavender oil, purified water, and natural binding agents. It not only repels mosquitoes but also helps prevent the growth of mould, adding an extra layer of protection for your home.
Perfect for: Use with an air diffuser to spread its mosquito-repelling and mould-preventing properties throughout your living space.
Bonus: Its dual-action formula offers continuous, passive protection, making it an excellent addition to any household looking for a low-maintenance pest solution.
Conclusion: Insect-free living, the natural way
Natural insect deterrents offer an effective and eco-conscious way to protect yourself, your family, and your home from pesky insects. Whether you choose to use DIY solutions or opt for professionally formulated products, these alternatives provide a safer, gentler option compared to synthetic repellents.
Now it’s your turn to explore these solutions and find the natural repellent that works best for your needs!