DIY Bug Repellent Balm Recipe

With the warm weather that we have most of the year, we spend a lot of time outside. The one thing that isn’t enjoyable during our outside time is the mosquitoes. For some reason, I seem to be a magnet that attracts all the mosquitoes. This DIY Bug Repellent Balm is soothing, nourishing and very effective in keeping the bugs away.

DIY Bug Repellent Balm

There is nothing worse than spending time outside in the warmer months only to be eaten alive by mosquitoes and other little annoying bugs. This heavy duty DIY natural bug repellent balm is great for those times when you need a powerful bug repellent that works! On the plus side, it also helps with soothing dry skin and moisturising the areas such as arms and legs that you apply it too.

For this balm, I used lemon balm, though there are other herbs that naturally repel bugs such as citronella, peppermint, lavender, lemongrass, catnip, basil and lemon thyme. You could try adding a couple of these to this balm as well. Just make sure to use organic, high quality dried herbs.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is part of the mint family, and is able to do many of the same things mint can do like soothe tummy troubles. This herb is calming, yet uplifting helping to soothe anxiety, and depression symptoms and lifting spirits. The antiviral properties help to soothe and shorten the duration of healing time of cold sores.

Once you have it growing, you will be looking for some ways to use this amazing lemon scented plant. 

Lemon Balm Infused Oil

Lemon Balm Infused oil is simply oil that has been infused with dried lemon balm leaves. It is important that the leaves are dried before using them, as too much moisture can make the oil go rancid. Once steeped, the oil can be either used on its own or made into natural salves, ointments and creams. If you steep with an inedible oil such as jojoba, then you would not be able to use as a salad dressing.

Carrier Oils

When making a salve or lip balm, choosing the correct carrier oil can improve the impact of the balm as each carrier oil has its own set of distinct properties. Blending a couple of carrier oils can also help maximise their benefits. 

With this balm recipe, the carrier oils that can be used include:

• Avocado Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil

You can learn more about carrier oils here.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are potent, and need to be diluted. Make sure to do your research first and use with extreme care. As this balm is being used on your skin, you will need to use essential oils that are gentle enough to be applied to your skin – and use in the correct quantities. Be careful to avoid sensitive areas like your eyes. Also, make sure to use oils that are safe for kids if using this balm on your kids.

Be careful when using some essential oils such as lemon. This is a photosensitive oil, which means that you can have a reaction if you go out in the sun within a few hours of using it. For this reason, when using Lemon essential oil in body care products, I use this Steam-Distilled Lemon Essential Oil from Plant Therapy as it is not phototoxic, which means you don’t have to worry about phototoxicity.

Before Using this Bug Balm

Before using this rub, you will need to understand a few things.

• Test on small area of skin before using.  If there’s any irritation, dilute with more carrier oils.
• Wash hands well after using.

Bug Balm Tips and Tricks

• This recipe can be used with a number of different infused oil
• Essential oils are optional. If you want to add some, try using citronella, cedarwood, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, and tea tree essential oil.
• I live in a hot climate, so this is made with adding extra beeswax to stop it from melting during hot summers, thus making this a harder lip balm. You may want to decrease/increase the beeswax to suit your climate. You can test the consistency of your lip balm by placing a small amount of mixture into the freezer for 2 minutes. Then take it out and let it come to room temperature before testing its hardness. If it is too soft, add a little more beeswax, if too hard, add a little more oil.
• You can substitute carnauba wax for beeswax, though it is harder than beeswax, so you will probably need to decrease the amount slightly. 
• Vitamin E is optional, and is often added to beauty products as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity, as well as for its amazing skin-healing properties.

Using Bug Repellent Balm

This balm can be used:

• For helping to keep bugs such as mosquitoes, biting flies, bees and more at bay

Keep a container in your bag, around the house or at work and use as needed.

Storing Bug Balm

Store in a dry place our of direct heat and sunlight.

Once set properly, this balm should last for up to 12 months.

Ingredients for Bug Balm

To make around 4 ounces of this balm, you will need:

• Lemon Balm
• Carrier Oil
• ½ Cup Infused Oil (from the two ingredients above)
• 2 TBSP Beeswax
• 12 Drops Essential Oils, optional
• 2 Oz Containers

Making Lemon Balm Infused Oil

To make lemon balm infused oil, you will need:

• Dried, organic lemon balm leavers
• Carrier oil such as Olive oil, coconut and avocado oil

Place the dry leaves in a large clean, dry glass jar. 

Pour in the carrier oil so that the leaves are covered with 1 inch of oil as the leaves will expand as they soak in the liquid and they need to stay covered the whole time. You will find that the leaves will float, so an easy way is to make sure there is about 1 inch of oil clear at the bottom of the jar.

Cover the jar with a tight fitting lid and give it a good shake. Place the jar dark, cool place. 

Infuse for 4 – 6 weeks, shaking every couple of days when you walk past. Then strain out the leaves using a cheesecloth and pour the oil into a clean, glass jar. Store in a cool, dark place while using.

To learn more about herb infused oils, check this out!

Making Bug Repellent Balm

To make this bug balm, first make the lemon balm infused oil.

Once that is ready, add the infused oil, the beeswax to a microwavable jug.

Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, remove and stir, then heat for additional 30 second increments, until fully melted, stirring well between each heating session. A double boiler can also be used to melt these ingredients together.

Add essential oils and vitamin E oil, if using.

Pour into containers.

Allow to sit for several hours or overnight until set.

Add lids and labels and store.

Use as needed. Rub on ankles, legs, arms and neck to help repel many of the pesky bugs that you will see this summer.

You may need to apply a couple of times a day, especially if you have been swimming or sweating outside in the heat.

More Lemon Balm Resources

• Ways to use Lemon Balm
• How to Grow and Harvest Lemon Balm
• Lemon Balm Jelly Recipe
• Lemon Balm Lip Balm For Cold Sores

Notes

• If you are picking fresh leaves to use in this bug balm, make sure to harvest them from a pesticide free area.
• Harvest only when you are 100% positive you have the correct plant as there are many lookalikes which are inedible or poisonous.
• Infused oils are not essential oils, they are very different and I don’t recommend internal use for essential oils.
• Also, it is advised to not apply oils to fresh burns, fungal infections and leaky skin conditions, a water-based poultice would be better in this situation.
• This recipe can be easily adapted to make smaller or larger batches.
• If you add more beeswax to this recipe, you can turn it into solid bug repellent lotion bars.