How To Use Cloves Bug Spray: 3 Natural Non-Toxic Pest Solutions For Your Home

Tired of toxic chemicals? Learn how to make and use a powerful cloves bug spray. Our 3 simple DIY recipes repel mosquitoes, ants, and flies naturally and safely.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

After reading this precious post, you will come to know:

Cloves are a safe, natural alternative to chemical bug sprays.
Three easy DIY recipes target common household pests.
Safety tips ensure solutions are family- and pet-friendly.

Table of Contents

Tired of Toxic Bug Sprays? Your Pantry Holds a Natural Secret ‘Cloves Bug Spray’

Are you tired of the chemical smell of conventional insect repellents that lingers on skin and clothes? Do you hesitate before spraying potent toxins around your home, worrying about your children’s health or your pet’s safety?

You’re not alone. Many households share the frustration of finding effective, non-toxic pest control for a healthier lifestyle.

Centuries ago, before chemical sprays existed, people relied on natural solutions like cloves. This section looks at how the kitchen staple has been used as an effective pest repellent throughout history, highlighting its longstanding role in home care and medicine.

The eugenol compound in cloves is the secret to its repellent effect. Eugenol acts on insects by interfering with their nervous systems or scent receptors, causing disorientation and preventing them from recognizing potential food sources.

Here, you’ll learn why eugenol repels insects while remaining safe for people and pets. The section outlines how you can use this natural power with three non-toxic solutions: a cloves bug spray, an essential oil blend, and a protective sachet.

Why Cloves Bug Spray is a Natural-Repelling Powerhouse

Before starting the recipes, it’s essential to understand the science behind clove’s effectiveness. This section explains why cloves repel pests and sets the stage for the recipes. Then you will prepare your own cloves bug spray.

Insects like mosquitoes, ants, and flies rely on a keen sense of smell to navigate the world. Their antennae are packed with odor receptors. These help them find food, mates, and breeding grounds.

Eugenol, the main component in cloves, is an incredibly potent volatile compound. To us, it smells spicy and pleasant. To a bug, it’s overwhelming, irritating, and confusing. It masks the scents they’re looking for and creates an invisible barrier they don’t want to cross.

This makes cloves exceptionally effective against a variety of common household pests:

Mosquitoes: Clove oil is a proven natural mosquito repellent, disrupting their ability to zero in on you.
Ants: When you spray a clove infusion on their trails, it erases the pheromone path they follow, throwing the entire colony into disarray.
Flies & Fruit Flies: The strong scent deters them from landing on surfaces and helps keep them out of your kitchen.
Moths: Placing clove sachets in closets and pantries protects your clothes and food from these destructive insects.

Choosing a clove-based repellent or a cloves bug spray over a synthetic one has many benefits. It’s child-safe and pet-friendly (when used appropriately), eco-friendly, biodegradable, and inexpensive—a small jar of whole cloves can make a large batch of effective spray. Enjoy powerful results without worry.

Gathering Your Arsenal: Simple Ingredients for Your DIY Clove Bug Spray

This section lists the simple ingredients you’ll need to start making DIY clove sprays and repellents, showing how accessible these solutions are.

Core Ingredients:

Whole Cloves: The foundation. You’ll use these for the infusion and the sachets. Look for plump, fragrant buds.
Clove Essential Oil: This is your heavy artillery. It creates a much more potent and ready-to-use spray. Make sure you’re using a 100% pure, therapeutic-grade oil.
Distilled Water: Prefer this to tap water. It’s free of minerals and impurities that could affect the shelf life of your creation.

Essential Tools:

Spray Bottles: Glass or BPA-free plastic bottles are best. This helps avoid any chemical leaching. Have a few on hand for different recipes.
A Small Pot: For simmering and steeping your clove infusion.
A Fine Mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth: Crucial for straining all the solid bits out of your liquid spray to prevent clogging the nozzle.
Small Muslin Bags or Cheesecloth: For creating the easy, no-mess sachets.

Bonus & Boosting Add-ins:

Citrus Peels (Lemon or Orange): The limonene in citrus is also a known insect deterrent and adds a fresh, clean scent.
Cinnamon Sticks: Another insect-irritating spice that works synergistically with cloves.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Especially effective for catching fruit flies, it can be added to specific trap-and-repel recipes.

With these ingredients in hand, you’re ready to follow the instructions in the next sections to create effective, natural pest repellents.

Solution 1: The Simple Infusion Cloves Bug Spray (Your Kitchen’s New Best Friend)

Perfect for: Creating a gentle yet effective barrier on countertops, windowsills, and along the tiny cracks where ants stage their invasions. This is your go-to for everyday kitchen pest control without any harsh fumes.

Why it Works: Simmering whole cloves in water draws out eugenol oil, creating a potent infusion that bugs avoid. It’s like brewing a highly effective pest-repelling tea!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Heat the Water: Pour 1 cup of distilled water into a small saucepan and bring it to a rolling boil.
Steep the Cloves: Once boiling, add 2 generous tablespoons of whole cloves. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 20-30 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and the water will turn a rich, amber color.
Cool completely: Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. This is crucial for both safety and ensuring the maximum amount of oil remains in the water.
Strain and Store: Place a fine-mesh strainer or a piece of cheesecloth over the opening of your spray bottle. Carefully pour the cooled liquid through it, catching all the used cloves. They’ve given their all and can be composted!
Label Your Bottle: Always label your DIY creations with the date and contents. This infusion is best used within a week.

How to Use This Homemade Ant Spray:

For Ant Trails: The moment you see a line of ants, shake the bottle and spray directly on their path. The cloves will disrupt their pheromone trail, confusing the colony.
For Prevention: Lightly mist areas where pests enter—window frames, doorways, and baseboards.
For Flies: Wipe down your outdoor patio table or kitchen counters with the spray to deter flies from landing.
Reapplication: Since this is a natural solution without synthetic preservatives, it needs to be reapplied daily or after cleaning surfaces.

Pro Tip: For an extra punch, add a few strips of organic lemon or orange peel to the pot while simmering. The citrus oil (limonene) is also a natural insect deterrent and leaves a wonderfully fresh scent.

Solution 2: The Potent Clove Essential Oil Spray (The Mosquito Fighter)

Perfect for: Personal protection during evening yard work, hikes, or patio gatherings. This more potent formula is designed to create a powerful, longer-lasting barrier against mosquitoes and other biting insects.

Why it Works: By using pure, concentrated clove essential oil, we bypass the steeping process and create a highly potent repellent immediately. The addition of witch hazel (or vodka) is a DIY game-changer—it acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil mix evenly with the water so it doesn’t just separate and clog your spray bottle.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare Your Base: Grab an 8-ounce glass spray bottle. Fill it about 3/4 of the way with distilled water.
Add the Emulsifier: Pour in 2 tablespoons of witch hazel (which is gentle on skin) or vodka (which acts as a natural preservative and is also skin-safe once diluted).
The Power Dose: Now, add your essential oils. Start with 15-20 drops of clove essential oil. This is your powerhouse.
The Supporting Cast (Optional): To create a more complex scent profile that bugs hate, consider adding 10 drops of a complementary oil:
- Citronella: The classic natural mosquito repellent.
- Peppermint: Deters spiders and ants as well.
- Lavender: Adds a calming scent and repels moths and fleas.
Shake and Unleash: Securely fasten the spray nozzle and shake the bottle vigorously for 30 seconds. You will need to shake it before every single use to combine the oils and water.

How to Use This Skin-Safe Cloves Bug Spray:

Spray on Fabric: The safest method is to apply it generously to your clothing, hats, socks, and patio umbrellas or furniture cushions.
For Skin Application: Spray onto your hands first and then pat onto exposed skin, avoiding eyes, mouth, and sensitive areas. Always do a patch test on a small area of your inner arm 24 hours before widespread use to check for any skin sensitivity.
Reapply every 1-2 hours for maximum effectiveness, as natural oils evaporate off the skin.

Important Safety Note: Essential oils are potent. Always dilute them. Do not use this spray on cats, as they are susceptible to essential oils. Consult your veterinarian before using any essential oil products on dogs.

Solution 3: Protective Clove Sachets & Barriers (The Silent Guardian)

Perfect for: A “set it and forget it” approach to protecting your stored dry goods, woolens, and linens. This is passive, long-lasting pest control that works 24/7 with zero effort.

Why it Works: Whole cloves slowly and continuously release their aromatic oils into the air in enclosed spaces. This creates a protective aromatic cloud that repels pests like pantry moths and clothing moths, preventing them from settling in and laying eggs.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Choose Your Bag: You can use small, breathable muslin bags (often sold as tea bags or spice bags) or simply cut a 5″x5″ square of cheesecloth.
Fill ‘Er Up: Fill your chosen vessel with a handful of whole cloves. Don’t pack it too tightly; you want air to flow through and carry the scent.
Add Extra Defense (Optional): For a mega-effective blend, mix your cloves with other pest-deterring items like small cinnamon sticks, dried lemon peels, or a few dried bay leaves.
Secure It: If using cheesecloth, gather the corners and tie them tightly with a piece of string, ribbon, or a rubber band.

How to Use Your Natural Pantry Protection:

For Pantries & Cupboards: Place one sachet on each shelf, and tuck one directly into containers of flour, rice, or oats to prevent weevils and moths.
For Closets & Drawers: Hang sachets from hangers or place them in the corners of drawers to protect sweaters, suits, and linens from hungry moths.
Create a Barrier: This is a brilliant trick for ants. If you notice them coming in under a door or through a window track, sprinkle a solid line of whole cloves across that entry point. Ants are very unlikely to cross this fragrant barrier.

These sachets will remain effective for months. You can refresh their scent by giving them a gentle squeeze to release more oils.

Getting the Most Out of Your DIY Clove Bug Spray: Pro Tips & Safety

Creating your cloves bug spray is empowering, but a few expert tips will ensure it’s both effective and safe for everyone in your household (including the furry members).

Shake, Shake, Shake! This is the golden rule. Essential oils and water naturally separate. If you don’t shake your spray bottle vigorously before every single use, you’ll mainly be spraying water. A good 10-second shake ensures you get a perfectly blended, potent mist every time.
Reapplication is Key. It’s essential to manage expectations. While commercial formulas containing DEET are engineered to last for hours, natural oils evaporate from the skin much faster. For consistent protection against mosquitoes, plan to reapply your clove essential oil spray every 60 to 90 minutes, especially if you’re sweating or swimming.
Always Perform a Patch Test. Your skin is unique. Before spraying any new DIY mixture all over your body, do a simple test. Spray a small amount on the inside of your wrist or elbow and wait 24 hours. If you see any redness, itching, or irritation, wash the area and dilute your mixture with more water before trying again or discontinue use.
Proper Storage Extends Shelf Life. Sunlight and heat degrade the potency of essential oils. Store your sprays in a cool, dark cupboard to make them last.
- The Simple Infusion (Water-Based): Because it contains no preservatives, treat it like fresh food. Store it in the refrigerator and use it within 5-7 days.
- The Potent Essential Oil Spray: Thanks to the natural preservative qualities of witch hazel or vodka, this spray can last for 2-3 months when stored properly.
A Special Note on Pet Safety. Our pets metabolize things differently than we do.
- Cats are susceptible to essential oils. Avoid using the spray mist anywhere near cats. Passive methods like clove sachets in the closet are a much safer choice.
- Dogs: While generally more robust, it’s still best to avoid directly spraying your dog. Instead, spray the solution on your hands and then wipe it on their collar or a bandana, ensuring they cannot lick it off. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

Your Clove Bug Spray Questions, Answered

Q: Is clove bug spray safe for babies and toddlers?

A: Extra caution is always best with little ones. It is highly recommended to consult your pediatrician before using any essential oil products on infants. For toddlers, the safest approach is to avoid direct skin application altogether.

Instead, cloves bug spray the repellent lightly on their clothing, stroller covers, or hats, being very careful to avoid getting it on their hands and face.

Q: I’m going on a long hike. How often should I reapply?

A: For optimal protection against mosquitoes and ticks in a high-exposure setting, reapply your clove essential oil spray every 60 to 90 minutes. If you’re sweating heavily or after swimming, you’ll need to reapply immediately afterward to maintain the protective barrier.

Q: Can I use this cloves bug spray on my garden plants to keep bugs away?

A: Tread carefully here. While a highly diluted spray can be effective against aphids or other pests, essential oils can be too harsh for some plants, potentially burning their leaves. Always test first. Mix a very weak solution (e.g., 5 drops of oil per cup of water) and spray it on a single, inconspicuous leaf. Wait 24-48 hours to see if the leaf shows any signs of damage before treating the whole plant.

Q: Where’s the best place to buy supplies?

Whole Cloves: You can find these in the spice aisle of any major grocery store. For the best quality and aroma, check out international markets or bulk food stores.
Clove Essential Oil: Not all oils are created equal. For a pure, therapeutic-grade oil, skip the random online marketplaces and head to reputable health food stores (like Whole Foods or local co-ops) or trusted online brands known for quality (such as doTERRA, Young Living, Plant Therapy, or Edens Garden).

Conclusion: Reclaim Your Home with Nature’s Power ‘Cloves Bug Spray’

You are now equipped with three powerful, natural strategies to tackle pests head-on: the gentle Clove Infusion for your kitchen, the potent Essential Oil Spray for your outdoor adventures, and the silent, watchful Clove Sachets guarding your precious pantry and wardrobe.

This isn’t just about avoiding bugs; it’s about making a conscious choice for a healthier home. You’ve learned that you don’t need expensive, harsh chemicals to solve these common problems. You have the power to create solutions that are effective, aromatic, and safe.

So, we have to ask: Which pest problem will you solve first?

Will you evict the ant colony from your kitchen, enjoy a mosquito-free evening on the patio, or finally protect your favorite sweater from moths?

We’d love to hear about your success! Share your stories and results in the comments below and inspire others to embrace a natural, clove-scented home with DIY Cloves Bug Spray.