Table of Contents
Updated November 2026
Using essential oils for bug bites won't replace an anti-itch cream, but a gently diluted roller of lavender, Roman chamomile, and tea tree is a comforting thing to have on hand. Lavender and Roman chamomile bring a soft, calming scent, and a little peppermint adds a cool, tingly feeling that takes your mind off the bite.
Below are the oils I like, my roller recipe with a kids' version, and when to skip the oils and call the doctor. For more on my favorite oil, see my full lavender essential oil guide. Jump to the recipes.
5 Essential Oils I Like for Bug Bites
These are the gentle essential oils for bug bites I keep coming back to when summer bites show up. Every one of them needs to be diluted before it touches skin.
1. Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a soft floral scent that feels calming, and it's gentle enough for ages 2 and up. If you only have one oil, this is the one to use. See what mixes well with lavender for more pairings.
2. Roman Chamomile
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) smells like sweet apples and pairs beautifully with lavender. It's one of the six starter oils for ages 2 and up. Skip it if you have a ragweed or daisy allergy.
3. German Chamomile
German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is the deep blue chamomile, with a sweet, hay-like herbal scent. It's for ages 5 and up, and the same ragweed caution applies.
4. Tea Tree
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) brings a fresh, clean scent that balances the sweeter florals. It's for ages 5 and up. Use a fresh bottle, since older tea tree is more likely to irritate skin, and keep it away from cats. See my tea tree essential oil guide.
5. Peppermint
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is mostly menthol, which gives skin a cool, tingly feeling. A little goes a long way: 1 drop in a 10 ml roller is plenty. It's for ages 6 and up, and keep it away from young children's faces.
Why I left some oils off: Lemongrass is a strong skin sensitizer and is for adults only on skin. Rosemary and eucalyptus are rich in 1,8-cineole, so they wait until age 10. Basil is only gentle as the linalool chemotype, and many bottles don't say which type they are.
Bug Bite First Aid
Most bites and stings are mild and settle down in a day or two. Here's the first aid from Mayo Clinic:
- Move away from the bugs, and remove any stinger.
- Gently wash the area with soap and water.
- Hold a cold, damp cloth or an ice pack on it for 10 to 20 minutes.
- See your doctor if the swelling gets worse, the bite looks infected, or you don't feel well.
Call 911 Right Away For
• Trouble breathing
• Swelling of the lips, face, eyelids, or throat
• Dizziness or fainting
• Hives, or a fast, weak pulse
• A scorpion sting on a child
If the person carries an epinephrine auto-injector, help them use it while you wait.
Bug Bite Roller Recipes
Bug Bite Roller
Roller · Ages 12+ · 3%
A soft, calming roller to keep in your bag for summer bites.
- 2 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
- 2 drops tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Fractionated coconut oil to fill a 10 ml roller
Directions:
- Add the essential oils to an empty roller bottle.
- Fill it with fractionated coconut oil, leaving a little room at the top.
- Press in the roller ball, cap it, and swirl to mix.
- Label it with the name, the date, and "3%."
- To use, wash the bite with soap and water, pat it dry, and roll a little on and around it. Don't scratch!
Note: Use only on unbroken skin. Skip Roman chamomile if you have a ragweed or daisy allergy.
Little Bug Bite Roller
Roller · Ages 5+ · 1%
The same soft scent, made gentle for kids.
- 1 drop lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 1 drop Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
- Fractionated coconut oil to fill a 10 ml roller
Directions: Make it the same way as the grown-up roller, and do the rolling yourself.
Note: Label it with your child's name and the dilution. Use only on unbroken skin. See my kid safe essential oils list for more.
Bug Bite Roller Tips
- If you don't have all three oils, lavender on its own works too.
- Jojoba or sweet almond oil can replace the fractionated coconut oil. Skip sweet almond if you have a nut allergy.
- Prefer a cream? Try the Bug Bite Cream in my whipped shea butter recipes.
- Tuck a roller into your bag for hiking, camping, and backyard evenings.
A Few Safety Basics
• These rollers are for after a bite. They're not a bug repellent. Where mosquito-borne illness is a concern, use an EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Keep essential oils away from babies under 2, including diffusing in a room they're in.
• Always dilute oils before they touch skin, and patch test a new blend on your inner forearm for 24 to 48 hours. Here's how to do a patch test.
• Check the age on each recipe. Kids 2 to 4 use only six starter oils at 0.5%, after checking with your pediatrician. Kids 5 to 11 stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• If you're pregnant, check with your doctor or midwife first. For the first 16 weeks I use only six oils, and only in a diffuser or inhaler: lavender, sweet orange, lemon, ginger, cedarwood (Virginian), and frankincense. After that, skin blends stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• Never put oils on pets, and diffuse with a door open so they can leave. Cats are especially sensitive; see my essential oil pet safety guide.
• Never swallow essential oils. If someone does, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
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Keep Exploring
- How to whip shea butter without heat (with a bug bite cream)
- Lavender diffuser blends and essential oil guide
- Tea tree essential oil: uses and safety
- 50 kid safe essential oils list
- Summer essential oils guide
- Dilution chart and calculator
Shop my Aromatherapy Supply Kits and grab one of my free essential oil guides.
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