We’ve waited months for winter to pass, and now summer is finally upon us! Perhaps you’re looking forward to lounging by the pool and sipping neon-colored beverages. Or maybe your summer itinerary includes mountain biking and hiking the mountains out west. No matter what our summer dreams contain, we cannot forget that other creatures love these warm, easy-going months as well. And what would summer be without our insect friends butting in during the most inopportune moments? Sure, they are critical for every biosphere on Earth, but must they disrupt our 4th of July picnics? Fortunately, aromatherapy comes to the rescue with a wide variety of oils expert at dissuading even the most obnoxious pests.

It used to be in years past that our only saving grace in the battle against insects was a DEET-based repellent. This chemically-dubious product has earned a mixed reputation; it is not recommended for young children and pregnant women, yet it is still widely used by adults because it is highly effective in warding off bugs over long periods of time. Our understanding of pest management through essential oils, however, may give us the opportunity to chuck the DEET, and its overbearing scent and mysterious side-effects, completely.

Let’s look at a few of the heavy-hitting essential oils in the insect repelling world of aromatherapy. First and foremost, citronella. We all know its reputation as a bug repellent. This bright green grass grows in warm climates and emits a strong bug-repelling aroma. It has a lemon-like scent that has come to remind us of summers past with a single whiff.

Citronella is not actually the best oil to use alone, however. Its power is magnified when it is combined with other essential oils, such as lemongrass, which it is related to, cedar wood, peppermint or geranium. Cedar wood, long-known for its ability to keep moths away from your wool sweaters, has a warm, pleasant scent that balances citronella’s astringent qualities. If you like the scent of peppermint, this affordable oil will also work beautifully with citronella and leave your environment smelling crisp and clean.

If you ask a gardener the number one plant to put in the garden to ward off flying insects, especially mosquitoes, the winner will most likely be the geranium. The geranium is tough, pretty and it smells great, but insects happen to dislike it. If you like the floral note of geranium, mix that with citronella. They are such perfect companions that a special species of plant, the citronella geranium, exists. Put that in your garden, and you can smell it from feet away!

Essential oils can be applied as a bug-control mechanism in one of two ways: atmospherically or topically. A diffuser or nebulizer is the most effective way to get these oils circulating in the air, ensuring insects don’t come near. One or more of the oils listed above can be atomized, providing you and your family the uplifting benefits of aromatherapy while simultaneously protecting you in a no-fly zone. Additionally, if you do not have a diffuser, simply take twenty drops of essential oil in a small bottle, fill the rest with water, and manually mist the area.

Occasionally, especially if you’re traipsing around outdoors, a topical application of essential oils becomes important. This recipe, which combines the best oils listed above, can be mixed and then put in a sunscreen, mister or a lotion: 0.5 milliliters of both geranium and lemongrass, 0.75 milliliters of cedar, 1 milliliter of peppermint and 3 milliliters of citronella. If you want to use this blend on pre-teens, divide the concentration in half before placing in a carrier. Cut this blend in half once more and leave out the peppermint if you are using it on toddlers. For infants, use a 1% concentration of lemongrass and/or citronella alone. As with all essential oils, the skin should be tested prior to extensive use on the body. If your body responds well, enjoy! Also, adding witch hazel, a naturally-occurring preservative, adds a cooling quality to your misting blend.

Studies in pest management with essential oils are yielding a lot of exciting and surprising new information. While we may already be familiar with the more common insect-controlling oils, such as citronella and lemongrass, other oils are being investigated for their efficacy as well. A study conducted at Seoul National University suggested fennel essential oil might also be useful in deterring mosquitoes. This pleasant oil is not as harsh smelling as citronella or lemongrass and is easy to find. Another oil that does not readily come to mind as a mosquito repellent, but definitely shows promise, is clove. A group of researchers at Mahidol University in Thailand found that clove oil, when rubbed full-strength on the skin, provided 100% effectiveness against mosquito bites over a 2-4 hour time span. This same study found patchouli oil was a great repellent as well, giving two hours of protection when used undiluted.

One oil that comes out way ahead of the pack in terms of effectiveness in fighting insects is catnip. A recent study by the DuPont Company found that this plant, also known as catmint, is the best essential oil defense out there in the struggle with insects. If used in a 15% concentration in a carrier, catnip can fight insects for 4 to 8 hours. Research has even demonstrated that catnip beats DEET in its ability to ward off bugs. The punch line, though, is this: catnip oil is pricey. If you want to see it at work, try it in small doses and confirm that your insect neighbors hate it and that your calico doesn’t lick your arm off.

Most likely, summer will not pass without a single bite, no matter how hard you try to prevent them. When you discover you’ve got a bite the size of a dime on your foot, don’t be discouraged. Both blue tansy and lavender oils are famous for their anti-itch qualities. Lavender oil is gentle enough to put right on the skin, immediately reducing the urge to scratch. Blue tansy can be mixed in a 2% concentration in carrier oils or creams and rubbed into the offending bite. Unlike the salmon-colored calamine lotion of days past, lavender and blue tansy smell wonderful to most people.

This summer, expand your horizons. If you’re not a fan of citronella, mix it with an oil you love and enjoy the benefits of research into something as mundane, and important, as learning to live with insects. By combining what we’re learning about aromatherapy with the vast array of applications available, your summer has the potential to be relatively bug-free. And DEET-free as well. So make plans to be outdoors, grab your essential oils and keep singing the praises of summer.