Essential Oil Bug Repellents: Repel Roaches, Ants, Gnats, Spiders, Etc.
Essential oils are effective for repelling, even killing, many bugs and flying pests. In this guide, you’ll learn about the best essential oil bug repellents and how to use them.
Guide to Essential Oil Bug Repellents
Here are all the guides we’ve created so far. Have a suggestion or experience to share? Please post it in the comment section below.
Some of the following guides focus just on essential oils. Others include essential oils as part of an effective strategy to get rid of bugs.
How to Use: Each headline leads to a full article with research about using essential oils for specific bugs and insects.
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Science Behind Essential Oils for Bug Repellent
While essential oils have been claimed to do many (unproven) things, there is sound science in using essential oils to repel and kill bugs and other insects.
Here are a few references to scientific studies.
American and German cockroaches had knockdown (KT50) values of ≈7.4 and 9.2 h, respectively, when fumigated with 50 µl of 100% mint oil; 100% of both species were killed after 24 h.
Mint oil-based formulations could provide another integrated pest management tool for cockroach management, especially in situations in which conventional insecticides would be inappropriate.
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama (view study in pdf, via archive.org)
Here’s a 2018 study, Essential Oils as Repellents against Arthropods, published in the National Library of Medicine, that addresses how essential oils work to discourage arthropods from landing or biting.
Many essential oils are toxic to animals (and humans). They are so toxic, that you must use caution when using them around your pets, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.
Learn more about the specific application in each article.
Bug Skills
Interested to learn more about bugs and managing them around your home?
Check out these related guides: Bug Identifier | Bug Facts | Bite & Sting Treatment | Cockroach Guide
Your Turn
Have a suggestion or experience to share when using essential oil as an insect repellent? Please post it in the comment section below.
I had a cloud of insects get in my hair and after 4 months still have a problem Doctors don’t seem to know what to do. I sent samples to Michigan State U. and the 2nd time had enough to identify winged aphids (these are ones I know came from my body). They have been in my ears, nose, eyes, skin and scalp. It is much better than before but does not go away. I have been using Nizoral shampoo as a body wash 2 times a day, later used Hibicleans. I use boric acid to wash my eyes and my eye Dr has prescribed an ointment with antibiotics. I also use boric acid with my Navage to wash my nose and that has been much better but still not gone. I used full strength liquid grapefruitseed extract in my ears and they are gone. Ear wax may have prevented any problem as on skin it is too strong. On line I found sulfur cream and ointment which makes these insects fall out of my hair when I apply it. I think it helps. I have also tried other things before and no real help. The entomologist at MSU said that these things only lived on plants. That is why I am contacting you as you said the females do get on humans and mammals. You have information to avoid these things but what do I do now after I have them? I do hope you can give me some help. Thank you for any help.