Mixed with witch hazel and water, they can be used in a portable spray that's misted around; not on; the eating area to help make the space feel less inviting to flies and mosquitoes while keeping it smelling bright and clean.
National Picnic Month is the perfect excuse to pack a basket, head outdoors, and enjoy good food with family and friends. The only downside? Mosquitoes, flies, and other uninvited guests often seem just as excited about your picnic as you are.
After all the time that I have spent experimenting with outdoor relaxing areas over the past few years, I have now discovered that it’s easy to relax outside without all the potent smells that some of the most effective spray cans can emit and alllabs.com/collections/insect-repellent?_pos=1&_psq=repell&_psid=3a8c6fbbb&_ss=e&_ the fuss that may be involved in a natural cleansing routine. Essential oils can add refreshing benefits to your immediate picnicking area along with summery scents.
Whether you're planning a picnic in the park, a beach lunch, or a backyard gathering, a simple blend of citrus and herbal essential oils can become one of the easiest additions to your outdoor setup.
Why National Picnic Month Is the Perfect Time to Refresh Your Outdoor Routine
July is one of my favorite months for outdoor meals. Long evenings, warm weather, and fresh seasonal food make it easy to spend more time outside.
Of course, warm weather also means insects become more active.
Instead of scrambling when bug season arrives, I like to get the bugs sorted before everyone shows up. A little bug spray on the picnic blanket, chairs, and plants close by, together with a diffuser or outside candle, helps to create a feeling of freshness and invitation.
One tip I never skip is keeping sprays away from food itself. A little planning goes a long way toward making the whole experience more enjoyable.
Essential Oils That Help Create a Fresher Outdoor Space
Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella has been linked to outdoor living for decades. If I'm about to head outside for a picnic, it is always the first oil on my go-to list. Its zesty citrus scent is perfectly at home in spray blends, candle recipes, or diffusion combinations to bring the outdoors alive!
Lemongrass Essential Oil
When considering a go to summer oil for your diffuser blend you absolutely need lemongrass on the list! It’s such an excellent oil for outdoor blends, I find myself including lemongrass outdoor bug spray in my backyard diffusions all summer. It’s not an overly harsh citrus and balances well with citronella making my outdoor blends more uplifting than the standard Citronella oil.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon is a great oil for creating a light citrus tone in a blend. I wouldn’t normally diffuse this one alone outside, but when I combine it with lemongrass and citronella I’m treated to a zippy citrus combination that just screams summertime picnic.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
A breath of cool, fresh air for the sweeter oils. Eucalyptus is probably one of my favorites to use in outdoor diffuser blends to bring in that fresh, clean feeling to the patio.
Which Essential Oils Are Best for Outdoor Gatherings?
Different oils bring different qualities to an outdoor setup. The table below compares four popular choices by aroma and how they are most commonly used.
| Essential Oil | Aroma | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Citronella | Bright, citrusy | Outdoor sprays and candles |
| Lemongrass | Fresh, lemony | Portable bug sprays |
| Lemon | Crisp citrus | Diffuser blends |
| Eucalyptus | Cool, herbal | Patios and covered seating areas |
Using a combination of these oils creates a more balanced aroma than relying on just one ingredient.
Portable Outdoor Bug Spray
Check out these essential oils to keep bugs away outside. I have a small spray bottle I carry with me in the picnic basket all summer - it’s so easy to whip up a new one as needed.
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons witch hazel
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2 tablespoons distilled water
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8 drops citronella essential oil
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6 drops lemongrass essential oil
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4 drops lemon essential oil
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2-ounce spray bottle
Directions
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Add the essential oils to the bottle.
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Pour in the witch hazel and distilled water.
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Shake well before each use.
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Lightly mist around picnic blankets, chairs, and nearby seating areas.
Avoid spraying directly onto food, plates, utensils, or open drinks.
I've used this recipe on beach picnics, backyard lunches, and afternoons at the park. It's simple, smells fresh, and takes less than five minutes to prepare.
Fresh Outdoor Diffuser Blend
If you're hosting a picnic at home or relaxing on a covered patio with access to electricity, an outdoor diffuser can help create a bright, welcoming atmosphere.
Summer Picnic Blend
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3 drops citronella
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2 drops lemongrass
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2 drops lemon
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1 drop eucalyptus
Citrus brings happiness and the eucalyptus balances the blend, offering the slightest crispiness.
Food and Kid Safety
Natural doesn't automatically mean food-safe.
Whenever I use essential oils outdoors, I spray around the picnic area; not on food, serving dishes, or utensils.
If children are joining the picnic, keep essential oil bottles out of reach and follow appropriate dilution guidelines for any products intended for topical use.
If pets are part of the outing, make sure they have space to move away from diffusers or freshly sprayed areas if they choose.
Final Thoughts
Many of my fondest summer memories were created around a picnic blanket laden with good food and great friends. While I can’t promise that adding a few strategically selected essential oils will keep bugs completely at bay, you can use them to transform your outdoors from blah to beautiful, all summer long. Take a minute to blend a few of citronella, lemongrass, lemon, and eucalyptus essential oils in a simple spray bottle to enhance all your picnicking in the park, Backyard BBQ, or summer gathering experiences!
