Natural Insect Repellent

According to the American Mosquito Control Association over one million people die from diseases transmitted by mosquito bites.

Insect Repellent Warnings

Medline Plus warns that breathing or swallowing DEET bug spray can cause poisoning. And even pyrethrins bug sprays can cause problems. We also learn that DEET is especially dangerous to small children.

Special precautions are advised when products containing DEET are used on kids. Low doses should be used sparingly, and not used on kids' hands or face. The product should be applied in an open area to avoid breathing it in. And a child's skin should be washed with soap and water after coming indoors. The clothing the child wore when DEET was applied should be laundered before it is worn again.

Nature's Insect Repellents

Thankfully several essential oils are effective at repelling and killing mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects. The recently published Practical Guide to Essential Oils tells us that aromatic compounds not only give plants their unique smell but also help attract plant pollinators and act as natural insect repellents against damaging insects.

Sweet Orange Oil is a delightful oil that not only is calming but is used to repel and kill insects. It naturally contains limonene which is used in some commercial insect repellents.

Lavender Essential Oil has long been used to repel insects. This study found that lavender compared well to DEET for repelling ticks.

Melaleuca Oil (tea tree oil) also has a long history of use as an insect repellent. This study looked at repellents containing N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (otherwise known as DEET) versus Melaleuca oil. Formulas made with Melaleuca oil tested as effective as synthetic-based insect repellents.

Natural Insect Repellent

Melaleuca's Natural Insect Repellent is formulated with Peppermint, Cinnamon, Lemongrass, Thyme and Geranium oils. It is non-sticky and 99% effective against mosquitoes and ticks. This study found thyme oil extremely effective at repelling mosquitoes.

Extra Tips from The Melaleuca Wellness Guide

If you find yourself unprotected among hungry mosquitoes remember this tip: Mix 1 tsp of Renew Intensive Skin Therapy and 5 drops of T36-C5 and apply to any exposed skin.

Another recommended tip is to carry a used MelaSoft Dryer Sheets in your front pocket, tie it in your hair, or slip it through a belt loop. It really keeps the bugs away. Don't try this with other brand dryer sheets. They may contain harmful chemicals.

~ Richard M Barry

Natural Insect Repellent Success Stories

Last summer my girls and I traveled on a mission trip to Nicaragua. The Heat was intense which left us sweating all the time and a feasting ground for mosquitos. During the day we worked in the villages and covered ourselves with toxic deet filled bug spray. I cringed every time I put it on myself and even more so on my girls. One of my daughters has eczema and I knew it would cause her skin to flare. The people in charge told us to only use the deet sprays. In the evening we would return to our compound to shower and clean up for dinner.We quickly learned we HAD to keep bug spray on or we continued to be eaten up by them. We were so glad we had our Melaleuca bug spray it felt so nice on our skin and the scent was refreshing. I loved that we could go to bed at night without being covered in all those toxins. After the first evening it became a #1 request by the rest of our team to use our bug spray and by the end of the week the whole team (25 of us) would pass the bottle around at our circle time to cover our bodies in a “nice” big spray. Back at home it’s the only spray we use for mosquito repellent. As a side note It works great in conjunction with the gold bar as a extra barrier. So thankful for the non toxic products like bug spray that Melaleuca offers!

~ Kelli

I always use the Natural Insect Repellent before working outside in the garden and I never get a bug bite. I’m amazed at how well it works.

~ Helen

Last week my husband and I attended the closing ceremonies for my son's Boy Scout Camp. We were outside all evening. I liberally sprayed myself with the Natural Insect Repellent. He did not. Neither of us got bites. As we sat down for the final ceremony, it was late evening and I again liberally sprayed myself with the Natural Insect Repellent, especially around my ankles as we were sitting on benches in the grass. My husband said he didn't want any because "there aren't any mosquitoes out". By the next day he discovered he had THIRTY-TWO chigger bites. He is still suffering this week from incredible itching. I didn't get a single one!! When we go outside next time, we'll see if he learned his lesson!

~ Kara

I have RH Negative O Blood Type. My entire life I have attracted mosquitoes to me. There can be a crowd of 10 people and I am the only one that gets bit by them. I swell up with large welts. This has been going on for over 40 years. This year I started using Melaleuca's Natural Insect Repellent. I have not received one mosquito bite. I cannot believe it. Besides not getting any bites, it smells great! I am so grateful to have found this product!!! I am no longer afraid to go outside during the summer months. Thank you Melaleuca!

~ Shelley

Living in the Hawaiian Islands is paradise, but in some areas the mosquitoes do come out in full force at dusk... the Natural Insect Repellent really does the job... and it also keeps the flies from hovering around! I even spray it on my little dog Milo and it works for other pets and horses, too! Every product that Melaleuca makes works!

~ Beth

I love, notice I said I LOVE Melaleuca's Natural Insect Repellent. Somehow, we brought home something that contained the dreaded bed bugs. I tried Sol-U-Mel, but it didn't do much. I kept getting eaten and my husband escaped. So I tore the room apart spraying everything with the Natural Insect Repellent. (I ordered 6 bottles) I took apart every dresser and drawer, I tore apart our bed and sprayed all the parts to it. I even sprayed the walls and carpet. Then I let the room sit for a week unoccupied. We moved into the guest room. Then we came back to the bed and bedroom, and we haven't been bitten! Thank You Melaleuca. Your products go beyond our expectations!

~ Eileen

We love our Melaleuca Natural Insect Repellent. I am a mosquito magnet but when I spritz myself down I don't get bit. Those little buggers are flying all around me but never land on me. Before Melaleuca came out with the insect repellent I would make my own using Sol-U-Mel and Melaleuca T36-C5. It worked just as well. I remember one summer we had family over for the 4th of July and while everyone was sitting outside I brought out my spray bottle squirting kids, chairs and the air with it. Everyone asked what that was that I was spraying and I told them my home-made insect spray. They were pleasantly surprised that it worked. Not one person got a single mosquito bite. I'm thankful to have a safer alternative to the toxic, skin irritating bug sprays that are offered at the local supermarket. Thank you Melaleuca!!

~ Pam

I was going to visit my daughter and her husband in Spain after my first grandchild was born, and being from the UK to be honest I was terrified of the possibility of getting eaten alive with mosquitoes! So before I left I mixed up some Melaleuca Natural Insect Repellent; 2 tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil, 9 drops Lavender Oil and 9 drops Orange Oil. When in Spain I made this a part of my daily routine, to apply the oil to my face, arms and legs every morning, and I didn't get any mosquito bites until the one day that I forgot it and in that one evening alone I got 9 bites!! I can tell you I didn't forget it again!! Thank you Melaleuca for these excellent natural products.

~ Ruth

I use the Natural Insect Repellent on my dog's collar. When I take her outside to tie her out in the yard, I spray her nylon collar with the insect repellent first. She is out there for about 30 minutes or so and when I bring her back in; there are no signs of fleas or ticks on her. It beats buying chemical flea and tick collars that may harm her and saves money as well! Thanks Melaleuca for a great product!

~ Susan