A partner of 
Summer means longer evenings outdoors, walks in nature, time in the garden and, hopefully, plenty of sunshine. But there is one part of summer most of us could happily do without: mosquitoes, flies, ticks and other biting insects.
And in Europe, mosquitoes are becoming a growing concern. Invasive species such as the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) have become established in more parts of Europe, including several regions of Austria, while other mosquito species are also expanding their known range. Warmer conditions can create more favourable environments for mosquitoes and extend the period in which they are active.
That doesn’t mean we need to spend our summers indoors. There are plenty of simple things we can do to reduce our exposure, from wearing appropriate clothing and checking for ticks after spending time in nature to using insect repellents when needed.
If you prefer a more natural approach for everyday outdoor use, you can also make a simple DIY body oil using a carrier oil and carefully diluted essential oils.
Let’s look at the ingredients, how they work and how to make your own.
A Small Effort Can Make Summer Outdoors More Enjoyable
Imagine having a healthy skin repellent that does not leave a strong chemical scent and contains healthy There is an old saying that prevention is better than cure, and it certainly applies when it comes to insect bites.
Commercial insect repellents can be very useful, particularly when you are travelling or in an area where mosquito-borne diseases are a concern. In fact, health authorities recommend tested and registered repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or formulated oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD when reliable protection is important.
But for everyday summer situations, you may also want a simple plant-based option that smells pleasant and is easy to make at home.
Essential oils from plants such as citronella, geranium and peppermint have been studied for their insect-repellent properties, although their effectiveness can vary depending on the insect, concentration and formulation. Natural does not automatically mean more effective, and essential oils should always be diluted before applying them to skin.
So rather than promising a miracle solution, think of this DIY recipe as one small tool in your summer insect-protection toolkit.
1. Understand the Ingredients
Before mixing anything together, it helps to understand what each ingredient is actually doing.
1. Choose a gentle carrier oil
A carrier oil forms the base of the recipe and dilutes the essential oils so they can be applied to the skin more safely.
Good options include:
- Jojoba oil – lightweight and relatively stable, making it a good choice for a body oil.
- Sweet almond oil – nourishing and easy to find, although it should be avoided by people with relevant nut allergies.
- Fractionated coconut oil – lightweight and almost odourless, with a long shelf life.
You don’t need a complicated skincare base. For this recipe, a simple carrier oil is enough.
2. Citronella essential oil
Citronella is probably one of the best-known natural insect-repellent ingredients. It is used in a range of commercial insect-repellent products and has demonstrated repellent activity against mosquitoes.
It also gives the finished oil that fresh, summery scent many people associate with outdoor evenings.
3. Geranium essential oil
Geranium oil is another popular ingredient in natural insect-repellent blends. It has been investigated for insect-repellent activity and can complement citronella in a blend.
It also has a softer floral scent, which helps balance the sharper aroma of citronella.
4. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint provides a fresh, cooling scent and has shown some insect-repellent activity in research. However, evidence for essential oils is variable, so it is better viewed as a supporting ingredient rather than a guaranteed protective agent.
5. What about lemon eucalyptus?
You will often see lemon eucalyptus recommended as a natural mosquito repellent, but there is an important distinction.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol) are recognised repellent ingredients. However, pure lemon eucalyptus essential oil should not simply be assumed to provide the same protection. CDC specifically advises that pure, unformulated lemon eucalyptus oil has not undergone the same validated testing for safety and efficacy.
For that reason, I would not simply add lemon eucalyptus essential oil to a DIY recipe and claim that it provides equivalent protection.
DIY Summer Insect-Repellent Body Oil
This recipe makes approximately 50 ml of diluted essential-oil body oil.
You will need
- 48 ml jojoba, fractionated coconut or sweet almond oil
- 0.5 ml citronella essential oil
- 0.5 ml geranium essential oil
- 0.5 ml peppermint essential oil
- A clean 50 ml amber or dark glass bottle
- A small measuring spoon, pipette or scale
This gives you approximately a 3% essential-oil dilution, which is deliberately kept moderate for a body product.
How to make it
1. Clean your bottle
Wash the bottle thoroughly and allow it to dry completely. Ideally, use a clean amber or dark glass bottle with a pump or dropper.
2. Add the carrier oil
Pour 48 ml of your chosen carrier oil into the bottle.
3. Add the essential oils
Add the citronella, geranium and peppermint essential oils.
4. Mix
Close the bottle and gently roll or shake it to combine the ingredients.
5. Label it
Add the date and ingredients to the bottle. This is particularly useful if you make several DIY products at home.
And that’s it. No complicated lotion-making process, no emulsifier and no water-based formula that requires a cosmetic preservative system.
How to Use Your Homemade Repellent
Apply a small amount to exposed skin before spending time outdoors. Reapply as needed, particularly after sweating or swimming.
Because this is an essential-oil blend rather than a tested commercial repellent, don’t rely on it as your only protection when mosquito or tick exposure carries a significant health risk.
For higher-risk situations, use a tested insect repellent according to its label instructions. You can also combine repellent with simple physical protection such as long sleeves, trousers and mosquito screens.
And remember: insect repellent is only one part of tick protection. After walking through grass, woodland or other tick habitats, check your clothing and body carefully for ticks.
A Few Essential-Oil Safety Rules
Natural ingredients still need to be treated with respect. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts, so more is not necessarily better.
Always dilute essential oils
Don’t apply the essential oils in this recipe directly to your skin. They should be diluted in a carrier oil.
Patch test first
Apply a small amount of the finished blend to a small area of skin and wait to see how your skin reacts before using it more widely.
Keep it away from your eyes and broken skin
Avoid the face, eyes, lips, mucous membranes, cuts and irritated skin.
Be particularly careful with children
Children require different precautions when it comes to insect repellents and essential oils. For example, CDC advises against using products containing OLE or PMD on children under three.
For young children, babies, pregnancy, sensitive skin or known allergies, check with an appropriate healthcare professional before using an essential-oil repellent.
Remember that pets are different
Some essential oils can be harmful to animals, particularly cats. Don’t assume that something safe for humans is automatically safe for your pets.
How Long Will It Last?
One advantage of this recipe is that it is oil-based and contains no water, which makes it much simpler to store than a homemade lotion.
Keep the bottle tightly closed, away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. An amber or dark glass bottle can help protect the oils from light.
Always check the smell and appearance before using it. If the oil develops an unusual smell or appearance, discard it.
For the best quality, make relatively small batches rather than preparing a large bottle that will sit in your bathroom for years.
Natural Doesn’t Have to Mean Perfect
It can be tempting to look for the perfect natural ingredient that will keep every mosquito, tick and fly away. Unfortunately, nature doesn’t work quite that neatly.
Plant-based repellents can be useful, but their effectiveness varies, and essential oils generally don’t have the same level of standardised testing as registered insect-repellent products.
The goal isn’t to eliminate every synthetic ingredient from your life at all costs. It’s about understanding your options and choosing what makes sense for the situation.
For a relaxed evening in your garden, a homemade essential-oil body oil may be a lovely addition to your summer routine. For travelling somewhere with a significant risk of mosquito-borne disease, a tested repellent is the more sensible choice.
Sustainable living isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about making thoughtful choices that work for your real life.
So make your summer toolkit, keep an eye out for those little buzzing visitors and, most importantly, don’t let them stop you from enjoying the outdoors.
If DIY is not your thing, or you prefer to buy a natural ready mix against insects check out this Roll-On 10 ml Organic Insect Bite Oil or this Citronella & Geranium Mosquito Repellent Oil. Beyond their bug-fighting powers, these oil are champions of sustainability. They are plastic-free, natural solutions that skip harmful ingredients and embrace a planet-friendly approach to bug defence.
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