Last Updated on October 9, 2024
There are several different yellow fly repellant recipes available on the market. However, a lot of them involve the use of harmful chemicals that you might not want your body to absorb. You can turn to do-it-yourself repellents instead.
If you’re a fan of DIY projects, like me, then you’ll find this information on making a yellow fly repellent recipe for humans really useful.
Table of Contents
What You Should Use
To start, you will need essential oils as they are perfect for keeping those pesky bugs at bay. Some of the most effective ones include:
- Lemongrass/Citronella
- Tea Tree
- Eucalyptus
- Clove
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Geranium
Eucalyptus, lemongrass, and citronella are the best for fighting off yellow and black flies as well as mosquitoes. Keep in mind, however, that you should always try to avoid using full-strength essential oils directly. You should, instead, mix them with carrier oils before you apply them onto your skin. A common way of neutralizing them a bit is by dubbing your outer clothing with a few drops so your skin doesn’t have to be in direct contact.
Also, try using one essential oil at a time. However, if you really want to mix scents, try keeping them within similar scent families. For instance, lemongrass blends in perfectly with lemon but matches horribly wrong with eucalyptus. The latter can be sparingly blended with lavender. Lavender, on the other hand, fits well with rosemary and peppermint.
Essential oils can definitely be used to come up with some fantastic fly repellents that’ll effectively keep those annoying bugs away. Now let’s take a look at some recipes.
Spray Recipe #1: The Best Repellent for Kids
What you need:
- A spray bottle (preferably an 8 to 10-ounce bottle)
- Water
- Witch hazel
- Lemongrass, lavender, clove, or peppermint essential oil (for toddlers)
- Tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and lemon (for older kids)
Mix a fifty-fifty blend of water and witch hazel, then add fifteen drops of the oils you’ve chosen into the solution. After successfully mixing, spray the solution on the neck, back, legs, and arms of your kids.
Keep toddlers away from stagnant water and heavily forested areas. If you can, treat the areas in which they’ll be exploring by setting fly traps or using cedar boughs to smoke them out.
Spray Recipe #2: A Stronger and Better Option for Adults
What you need:
- A spray bottle (again, an 8 to 10-ounce bottle will work best)
- Witch hazel
- Water
- Vegetable glycerin
- Citronella, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, or tea tree essential oil
Create an 80:20 mix of witch hazel and water, then add to that two teaspoons of vegetable glycerin and about 25 drops of the essential oils you’ve chosen. Douse yourself with this concoction if you’re in an area that’s heavily-infested with yellow flies and the like. When you notice the scent starting to fade, re-apply. Don’t be afraid to mix eucalyptus with lemon or rosemary with tea tree oil. If your skin reacts negatively or if you just can’t endure the smell, feel free to discontinue using.
You can also make repellent lotions if you feel that they will be more effective. Below are some repellent lotion recipes you may want to consider.
Lotion Recipe #1: Best for Older Kids and Adults
What you need:
- Liquid castile soap (1/3 cup)
- Eucalyptus, tea tree, or citrus essential oils
Add 25 drops of the essential oils you’d like to use into the cup of liquid castile soap and mix well. If your soap is scented, use essential oils that have a similar scent. Smear this concoction all over your hairline, neck, legs, and arms if you’re going to be wandering through areas infested with yellow flies and the like.
As soon as you’re done and are back to safety, say the campsite or home, wash the lotion off. This method usually does really well at fighting off bugs and insects.
The reason why it’s ideal for adults is because they’re less likely to lick their hands or accidentally lick parts of themselves or clothing.
Lotion Recipe #2: The Best Alternative for Kids
What you need:
- Coconut Oil (1/3 cup)
- Clove, lavender, or peppermint essential oil
Mix 15 drops of your chosen essential oil with coconut oil and slather that mixture onto the neck, legs, and arms of your kids before exposing them to the wild. If you intend on applying this lotion on small children and it accidentally finds itself in their mouths, don’t worry; it will not taste good, but it won’t harm them.
Lotion Recipe #3: A Minty Repellent that Smells Great
What you need:
- Carrier oil of your choice (e.g coconut oil)
- Mint essential oil
Mint is another strong natural fly repellent that’s got that classic, sweet-minty scent. Catnip, spearmint, and peppermint are fantastic at both keeping you smelling great and keeping the pesky flies at bay. Create a 2% solution by mixing 13 drops of the essential oil you’ve chosen with 35ml of your carrier oil. Olive and coconut oil make good carrier oils for such essential oils. Once done, you can smear it directly onto the skin.
Basil essential oil also makes a great fly repellent lotion. This strong-smelling herb is another one that most flies generally dislike. Make a 2% blend by adding about 13 drops of the oil to 30ml of the carrier oil of your choice. Once through, rub it generously all over the exposed parts of your body.
Conclusion
Yellow flies can prove to be a real nuisance, and keeping them at bay can sometimes prove harder than most people tend to think. Fortunately, this article can help make your life a little more comfortable by helping you get rid of those pesky yellow flies at bay. If you’re tired of buying those over-the-counter repellent products that are loaded with harmful chemicals, we hope that our recipes can help you make your very own alternative.
Don’t allow those yellow flies to continue disturbing you anymore. Simply choose from one of the many recipes we included.
Do you have other homemade recipes that can help keep those pesky yellow flies at bay? If so, please leave a comment below so we can share the information with others. Thanks for reading!
Read more about Best Essential Oils To Repel Ants.
Lacey is an environmental enthusiast and passionate advocate for living green and sustainable. She believes that everyone can make a difference, no matter how small. Lacey is dedicated to reducing her own carbon footprint and educating others on the importance of living greener. She is an advocate for green energy and sustainable practices. She is an active member of her local community, volunteering with local conservation efforts, and taking part in sustainability initiatives. Lacey is a firm believer that the only way to ensure a sustainable future is to work together and make small, but important changes.