7 Essential Oils That Repel Deer Flies

If you are worried about deer flies, you are likely looking for effective ways to eliminate these critters.

Luckily, some essential oils can use for that purpose.

Deer flies have a strong sense of smell they use to find their food source.

This sense of smell can be used to keep them away simply by using scents they hate to keep them away from your surroundings.

This post will explain the top 7 essential oils that repel deer flies and how to use them.

7 Essential Oils That Repel Deer Flies

Deer flies are bloodsucking insects and can be a serious pest to cattle and humans.

The male deer flies collect pollen while the females feed on blood which they need to produce eggs.

So, you have to keep these insects away from your house. And one of the best ways of doing that is using essential oils.

Note: Not all essential oils repel these insects.

1. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is an excellent deer fly deterrent.

Mixing it with peppermint oil and citronella will produce great smells that keep deer flies away.

Like other oils that keep deer flies at bay, this oil will also serve as a pest deterrent when mixed with water.

Apart from getting rid of deer flies, eucalyptus oil, when mixed with water, also helps to get rid of mites, earwigs, and aphids if sprayed on plants.

2. Catnip Essential Oil

Catnip essential oil is extracted from the leaves of catnip plants. It contains active “Nepetalactone” as a great deer fly deterrent.

This nepetalactone from the essential oil of nepeta cataria is stronger than DEET.

To use catnip essential oil as a deer fly deterrent, add 3 or 4 tablespoons of coconut oil and 10 to 15 drops of catnip oil and shake it very well.

Then take a sufficient amount and rub it on your skin outdoors.

3. Citronella Oil

Citronella oil is an essential oil that repels deer flies. It is extracted from dried grasses.

You can mix it with peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil to produce deer fly repellent.

Citronella is a non-toxic insect repellent safe for animals, humans, and plants.

It is mostly used as an ingredient for producing perfumes, soaps, and candles.

While this essential oil is safe for humans, it might irritate people with some skin types.

If you are looking for an eco-friendly essential oil that repels deer flies, citronella oil is the oil you need.

4. Lavender Essential Oil

This is an essential oil with a great natural insect deterrent. Deer flies, mosquitoes, and other flies can’t stand its smell.

As an essential oil, you can mix it with other substances like lemongrass oil, tea tree, and citronella oil to create an effective substance that keeps deer flies and other flies away.

On the other hand, you can mix lavender essential oil (8 – 10 drops) and almond oil (3 – 4 tablespoons). Shake it well and spray it on your face and other body parts to prevent deer flies.

5. Lemongrass Oil

Deer flies can’t stand the smell of lemongrass oil, making it great deer flies repellent.

Mix a half cup warm water and 20 drops of lemongrass essential oil. Then spray in places where deer flies most likely visit.

Also, you can keep deer flies away by spraying the mixture on kitchen cabinets, counter, and walls. Do this constantly for a week to scare these flies away.

6. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is a powerful repellent against deer flies. It is a natural repellent that helps to keep deer flies away.

This essential oil has two monoterpenoids, “menthol and menthone, ” making it an excellent substance for keeping flies away.

To protect yourself from deer flies with peppermint essential oil, mix 5 drops with water in a spray container and spray it around your house where you have these flies.

Mix 10 – 5 drops of peppermint essential oil and 3 to 4 tablespoons of jojoba oil in a spray bottle. Shake it very well, then dispense a small mixture on your palm and rub it on your body.

7. Tea Tree Oil

Also known as melaleuca oil, tea tree oil is a potent repellent against deer flies.

Mix this essential oil with carrier oil in a bowl and soak cotton balls into it, then keep it in places where you have these flies in your house.

This oil does not have the best scent, but it’s a must-have if you need an essential oil that will repel deer flies.

If you are bitten by a deer fly or other biting insects, you can use tea tree oil to control it by rubbing tea tree oil on the affected part.

Conclusion

Having deer flies and other biting insects around your property can be overwhelming and irritating.

These flies can ruin your summer experience, mostly when you are trying to hang around the pool.

Interestingly, you can use some essential oils to eliminate these flies.

This article explains all the essential oils that repel deer flies and how to use them.