Keep Wasps Away Naturally: A Simple DIY Wasp Repellent Spray for Families

If you’re anything like me, you want your kids to enjoy playing outside without worrying about wasps buzzing around their juice boxes. Summer brings so many sweet moments—barefoot mornings, sticky popsicles, backyard dinners—but it also brings the occasional uninvited guest: wasps. And let’s be real, nothing ruins a peaceful backyard picnic faster than those buzzing little invaders.

As a mom, I’m always looking for gentle, non-toxic solutions that actually work. I don’t love the idea of spraying harsh chemicals where my kids play (or where we eat!), so I started making my own wasp repellent spray with natural ingredients. It’s easy, affordable, and smells so much better than anything from the store.

Let me share the simple recipe I use—and why it works so well for families like ours who care about natural living.

My Go-To Natural Wasp Repellent Spray

This DIY spray uses essential oils that are safe for use around kids and pets (though always spot-check if you’re spraying near sensitive surfaces), and it seriously works to keep wasps away from play spaces, porches, and outdoor eating areas.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 10–15 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops clove essential oil
• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
• A clean spray bottle

How to make it:

1. Combine the water and vinegar in your spray bottle.
2. Add the essential oils.
3. Shake it up before each use.
4. Spray the mixture around your porch, patio furniture, picnic blanket, or anywhere else the wasps seem to gather.

Why it works (and why it’s safe for your family)

Wasps are super sensitive to strong scents, especially ones they don’t like. Peppermint, clove, and lemongrass essential oils mess with their ability to sniff out food and build nests—so they just stay away. That means fewer stings, less stress, and more time to actually enjoy being outside with your family.

This spray isn’t harmful to kids or pets (just avoid spraying it on them), and it won’t leave your yard smelling like chemicals. In fact, it smells pretty refreshing!

A Few Bonus Tips for Wasp-Free Outdoor Time:

• Use decoy brown paper bags to mimic wasp nests—wasps tend to avoid areas that already have nests.
• Avoid sugary drinks and snacks outside when you can (I know, easier said than done).
• Keep trash bins tightly closed and rinse out recyclables before tossing them.
• Set out cloves and citrus peels on picnic tables for added natural deterrent power.

Natural Living Wins Again

If you’re raising kids with a heart for natural living—whether that means avoiding unnecessary chemicals, embracing homemade solutions, or just finding better ways to care for your home and family—this is one of those easy swaps that makes a big difference.

The next time you’re setting up a backyard picnic or just letting the kids play outside after dinner, give this wasp repellent spray a try. It’s natural, simple, and it helps protect the sweet moments of summer.