Our expert herbalist tells you how clove oil works as a natural bug repellent and teaches you in five quick steps how to make a safe and effective DIY natural insect and bug repellent spray with three essential oils.
Clove Oil Bug Repellent – DIY Recipe For Natural Pest Control
Updated on May 28, 2025
We often find our outdoor fun activities restricted by the presence of pesky insects. There are plenty of commercial insect repellents available in the market, but some of us are wary of the harsh chemicals they contain. That’s why, as a master herbalist, I’ve turned to making my own DIY bug repellent spray using natural ingredients like clove oil. This homemade solution can be safely applied to the skin or sprayed in the air to keep the annoying pests at bay.
Clove oil bug repellant is one of the best natural solutions for warding off mosquitoes and other insects as a chemical-free pest control. It is very easy to prepare at home. Here, I will guide you through the simple process of preparing DIY clove oil spray in five easy steps.
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Why Clove Oil?
Clove oil needs no introduction as it has been known and used for its aromatic and therapeutic values for centuries. In addition to the other applications of clove and its oil, its active component, Eugenol, with its strong scent, is found to support its use as an effective insecticide. Medical authors at MedicineNet claim that Eugenol is capable of repelling insects and pests like ants, mites, ticks and spiders. Researchers at the National Library of Medicine add mosquitoes to the list.
Clove oil is safe for personal use and in the surrounding environment. Clove oil as a chemical-free bug repellent is thus no surprise and learning to prepare DIY clove oil spray through a simple homemade recipe is the most natural requirement that follows.
A Cornell University study titled ‘Cloves & Clove Oil Profile Active Ingredients Eligible for Minimum Risk Pesticide Use’ indicated that EPA considers use of clove oil as insecticide safe with minimal risk to human health.
Precautions And Safety Tips for Using Clove Oil At Home
Essential oils are highly concentrated and potent, making them potentially dangerous if used incorrectly. Which is why I recommend never using undiluted essential oils on your skin because they can cause irritation and burns.
Also, never use essential oils if they’ve been stored somewhere hot or sunny. Dispose of them carefully instead.
Dilution of The Essential Oil Concentrate
For applying to skin, I recommend a dilution ratio of two percent. So that’s roughly 12 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier liquid. The DIY clove oil repellent recipe here is actually weaker than that, but it works.
Choice of Oils: The Other Essential Oils That Pair Perfectly With Clove Oil
I’ve chosen oils well-known for their insect-repelling qualities. But there are other essential oil options available.. You may like to switch out any of these oils for geraniol, cedarwood or lavender.
My advice though, is to use food-grade or therapeutic-grade oils. These are the only ones pure enough for use on your skin.
Remember, what you need is pure, undiluted, therapeutic-grade essential oils for a chemical free pest control solution, not fragrance oils.
Word of Caution on Pet Safety
None of the oils used here are absolutely safe for dogs or cats. I’m well-versed in essential oils, and I advise caution if you have pets. While there are a few safe essential oils for dogs and cats for topical use, it’s not worth the risk unless you know for sure where you are heading.
Essential oils have the potency to kill cats and dogs or cause severe respiratory and neurological issues. So if you have pets, DO NOT use this DIY bug-repellent spray on yourself, your pets or your gear.
How to Make an Effective Clove Oil Bug Repellent at Home
Five easy steps for making a DIY clove oil bug repellent spray for natural pest control:
Gather supplies
- To make your clove oil bug repellent, you’ll need the following items:
- Thirty drops of clove essential oil;
- Ten drops of citronella essential oil;
- Ten drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil;
- Two tablespoons of unscented liquid castile soap (I personally like Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap);
- One cup of distilled water;
- An immersion blender;
- An amber glass spray bottle;
- A small funnel.
Combine the essential oils
Step two starts by adding the clove, citronella and lemon eucalyptus essential oils to an immersion blender cup. Essential oils are highly concentrated, and clove oil in particular can be irritating if used undiluted. By combining it with other oils, we’re starting the dilution process.
Add castile soap
Pour the castile soap into the blender cup at step three. Castile soap acts as an emulsifier, helping the oils and water mix together.
Blend
Step four is to blend the soap and oils for one minute or so to emulsify them.
Bottle the mixture
Bottling properly is a key step. Take the emulsified soap and oil and pour it into the spray bottle through your funnel. Add the distilled water. This further dilutes the essential oils, making them safe to spray on your skin or in the air.
Your DIY clove oil Bug repellant is ready for use.
Shake well
Give your concoction a final look. Ensure that all the ingredients are in the spray bottle and the essential oils for bugs are all set. Screw the cap on tightly. Shake the bottle vigorously before each use for about a minute to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
Test the repellent
Before using your homemade DIY clove oil natural bug repellent, test it on a small patch of skin. If any irritation occurs, wash the area immediately and discontinue use.
If no irritation or burning sensation occurs, you are good to go with the effective, chemical-free deflector of insects.
Pro tip: If you don’t have an immersion blender, just add all the ingredients to the bottle and shake for a few minutes. The same applies each time if the spray separates after it has been stored.
Storing Your Insect Repellent
Store your clove oil insect repellent in a cool, dark place.
The potency of essential oils can diminish if exposed to heat and light. With proper storage, your homemade repellent should last throughout the insect-heavy months (specially in damp rainy months and during the changing seasons when temperatures are turning mild), providing you with a natural, chemical-free, healthy way to enjoy your time outdoors.
Properly stored essential oils can last between two and five years. So, feel safe and comfortable with the long-term pest control benefits of natural solutions.
I wouldn’t suggest storing the solution for more than a year though, to be on the safer side. Just write the date you made it on the label so you know when to discard it.
FAQ
Which bugs does clove oil repel naturally?
Clove and its oil, in their basic essence, have long been known as natural household solutions for warding off ant trails, cockroaches, etc., from nooks and corners of homes. Scientists have also researched and concluded that Eugenol, the active ingredient in clove oil, has the power to repel insects and pests such as ants, mites, ticks, spiders and mosquitoes.
How safe is the DIY clove oil spray on me?
When adequately diluted, as prescribed in the recipe above, the clove oil spray will neither cause any skin irritation nor create any harmful toxicity in the air around. Also, when preserved carefully, it retains its efficacy for two to three years.
What is meant by essential oils?
Essential oils are concentrates extracted from plants. They are termed essential as they capture the essence of a particular plant. Many of these oils are known for their therapeutic effects and medicinal values.
Though considered eco-friendly and harmless, cautions are advised in their use as the concentrates; if not diluted properly (in right proportions) can cause skin irritations and burns.
Is the DIY clove oil natural pest control spray prepared by me at home safe on my pets?
No, DO NOT use it on or near pets.
Are there other natural alternatives to clove oil for warding off pests ?
Yes, there are other DIY pest control ideas for homeowners. These alternatives to clove oil can be tried with the help of recipes prescribed by experts. Each would additionally also have to be used with due precautions as per advisory tagged with the recipes.
Source Box:
1. MedicineNet: “What Is Clove Oil Used For?”
- Medical Author: Karthik Kumar, MBBS
- Medical Reviewer: Pallavi Suyog Uttekar, MD
2. National library of medicine – National centre for biotechnology information
“Bioactive properties of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil nanoemulsion: A comprehensive review”
Vinay Kumar Pandey a, Shivangi Srivastava b, Ashish a, Kshirod Kumar Dash c,∗, Rahul Singh a,∗∗, Aamir Hussain Dar d, Tripti Singh f, Alvina Farooqui a, Ayaz Mukkaram Shaikh e, Bela Kovacs e,∗∗∗ Nov 2023
3. New York State Integrated Pest Management, Cornell University, Geneva NY
“Cloves & Clove Oil Profile Active Ingredient Eligible for Minimum Risk Pesticide Use” – Brian P. Baker, Jennifer A. Grant, and Raksha Malakar-Kuenen1
