Wildwarden Mosquito Repellant
This blend helps repel mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks.
Patch-test on your inner arm before regular use. Safe for most ages 3+; for younger children, drop the spearmint and use cedarwood + lavender only. Avoid during pregnancy without checking with your provider — cedarwood is often flagged. Keep away from eyes and mucous membranes.
About this recipe
A simple cedarwood-and-lavender body oil for keeping mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks off your skin on warm evenings.
Ingredients
- 2 oz (60 ml) coconut oil — fractionated for a roller/dropper, regular virgin for a jar (lauric acid)
- 15 drops cedarwood essential oil (cedrol)Grounding — supports Nervous System & Mood · Skin · Sleep & Rest
- 12 drops lavender essential oil (linalool)Calm & relaxation — supports Sleep & Rest · Nervous System & Mood · Skin
- 9 drops spearmint essential oil (carvone)Fresh deodorizing — supports Digestive · Nervous System & Mood
Method
- 1 **For a jar (soft balm):** Soften 2 oz of virgin coconut oil by warming the jar in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes, or melt just until pourable. Stir in the essential oils. Pour into a clean 2–4 oz jar or tin and let it set at room temperature.
- 2 **For a roller or dropper bottle (liquid):** Pour fractionated coconut oil into the bottle, leaving a little headroom. Add the essential oils one at a time. Cap and roll gently between your palms to blend.
- 3 Let either version sit 24 hours before first use so the oils marry.
- 4 **To use:** Apply to exposed skin — ankles, wrists, behind the ears, back of the neck — before going outside. From a jar, scoop a pea-sized amount and warm between your fingertips first. From a roller or dropper, dab or roll directly. Reapply every 2 hours, or after sweating or swimming.
What you'll notice
- Repels mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks without DEET
- Cedarwood disrupts the bugs' octopamine receptors (their version of adrenaline)
- Lavender broadens the protective scent profile and calms skin
- Spearmint adds a gentle minty top note that biting insects avoid
- Doubles as a moisturizing skin oil
Tips & storage
Don't have coconut oil? Try jojoba (closest match, light, won't go rancid), sweet almond (soft, absorbs well), grapeseed (lightest and quickest to absorb), or olive oil (heavier but pantry-friendly). Note: only virgin coconut oil and shea butter solidify — with the other carriers, your jar version will be liquid, same as the bottle.
Store in a cool, dark place. Best used within 6 months for full potency.