What is a natural insect repellent?
Natural insect repellents are everywhere right now. From pharmacy shelves to holiday packing lists, they’re often mentioned as an alternative to more traditional repellent ingredients. But while the term sounds reassuring, it can also raise questions.
For many people, interest in natural repellents comes from wanting something that feels lighter, simpler or more in tune with everyday use. They’re often chosen for short periods outdoors, family activities or situations where comfort and scent matter just as much as protection.
However, the label alone doesn’t tell you everything. Not all products work in the same way, and results can vary depending on where you are, how long you’re outside and how many times you reapply the repellent.
What is natural insect repellent?
A naturally based insect repellent is a bite-prevention product that relies on substances derived from plants rather than synthetic chemicals. These repellents are typically formulated using essential oils or plant extracts, helping to reduce the likelihood of bites.
Commonly used ingredients in natural insect repellents include oils such as eucalyptus, citronella, lavender and peppermint. These plants produce strong aromatic compounds as part of their own natural defence systems, and repellents make use of those same properties.
When applied to the skin, natural repellents work mainly through scent. They either:
Mask or overpower the human smells that attract insects
Create scents that insects don’t like and prefer to avoid.
Natural insect repellents are often chosen for their lighter feel and gentler scent profile. Many people find them more pleasant to wear, particularly for short periods outdoors, everyday activities or family use in low-risk areas – places where insect-borne disease is rare.
It’s important to understand that natural repellents usually behave differently from synthetic options. Their protection tends to be shorter-lasting because plant-based oils evaporate more quickly from the skin.
As a result, they often need to be reapplied more frequently to maintain effectiveness. But it also means they can be good choices for short trips outside – for example, during a lunch break – when longer-lasting protection and stronger formulations aren’t needed.
‘Natural’ doesn’t automatically mean better or worse – just different. Knowing what a natural insect repellent is, how it works and what it’s best suited for helps you to set realistic expectations and makes it easier to choose the right type of repellent for your plans.
What repels insects naturally?
Insects are repelled naturally by a range of plant-derived substances that interfere with how they sense the world around them. Many plants have evolved their own chemical defences to deter insects, and natural repellents make use of these same compounds to reduce biting.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus
One of the most well-known natural repellents is oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) – not to be confused with lemon eucalyptus, which is an essential oil derived from the same plant. After extraction, OLE is enriched to increase the potency of its active substance, para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD).
This compound disrupts the sensory cues mosquitoes use to locate people. Rather than killing insects, it creates a scent environment they find confusing or unattractive.
Citronella oil
Another widely used natural repellent is cymbopogon winterianus oil, better known as citronella oil.
Extracted from a type of grass, citronella has a strong, distinctive scent that masks the human odours mosquitoes are drawn to. It’s been used for decades in candles and outdoor products,and can be effective as an insect repellent as well.
Lavender oil
Lavender oil helps to repel insects through its strong natural scent, which interferes with how mosquitoes and other biting insects detect human cues.
As an added bonus, lavender is a familiar and favoured scent. And, as many people find it soothing, it can be a great choice for use at nighttime to keep pesky insects at bay while you settle down to sleep.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil naturally includes substances such as alcohol and menthol, which help to produce that sharp, distinctive scent that repels insects and even other unwanted visitors such as spiders, rats and mice!
Other naturally based repellents
Other natural substances that may help repel insects include tea tree oil and neem oil. These work primarily through scent, either by overwhelming insect sensory systems or by producing smells they instinctively avoid. As with all natural repellent oils, effectiveness can vary.
Important! The active compounds found in naturally based insect repellents have been prepared to be kind to your skin and the environment. Never use pure essential oils on your skin, as this can have unwanted effects.
Our Wasp-Eze® Insect Repellent Roll-on and Pump Spray is made with proven, nature-inspired ingredients including Eucalyptus Citriodora and Cymbopogon Winterianus Oils, the DEET-free formula provides reliable protection for up to four hours. Designed for daily use, it helps defend against mosquitoes and other irritating insects while remaining suitable for the whole family (6 months+)
Naturally based insect repellents typically contain a blend of plant-derived compounds that make humans a less appealing target for biting. Used in the right context, such as short outdoor activities or lower-risk settings, natural repellents can be a useful option for bite prevention.