A simple recipe for making bug spray using the leaves of the American BeautyBerry bush (Callicarpa Americana). A highly effective herbal blend for use as a mosquito and tick repellent.
I’ve tried a number of homemade herbal bug sprays over the years.
Living in Florida, a nontoxic repellent for insect critters is very important, particularly if you are an outdoorsy person.
My latest DIY bug spray success uses the leaves of the gorgeous American beautyberry bush.
I learned about this recipe from the manager of Wonderfield Farm, where Rogue Food Florida will be held from March 13-15, 2025. I will be a speaker at this event and am excited to see many of you there soon! If you haven’t signed up yet, use coupon HHE15 for a discount on premium or day passes!
This native shrub found across the southeastern United States, is known for its striking clusters of bright purple berries that pop against its green leaves, especially in late summer and fall.
The bush typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall, sometimes up to 9 feet in the right conditions. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and hardy during brief cold snaps.
It thrives in a mix of sun and shade—think woodlands, forest edges, or under a large tree in your backyard if you cultivate them yourself.
My American beautyberry plant grows under the shade of several large oaks. It gets morning and early afternoon sun, but mostly shade which it loves.
I discovered these gorgeous plants at a local native nursery. You can probably do the same if you live in the Southeast United States. Otherwise, you can often find seeds or young beautyberry plants online to have shipped to your door.
Grow them in containers on an enclosed patio or porch if you live in a cold climate where they can’t survive outdoors year-round.
Making a bug spray from the deep green leaves works extremely well for repelling all manner of native biting insects.
As a bonus, the purple berries are edible. They are a bit bitter on their own but make yummy homemade jam.
I’m not sure yet whether this homemade herbal spray works to repel deer flies, though it is highly effective for mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and ticks. Right now, I primarily use deer fly traps as protection.
I will find out soon, as deer fly season in Central Florida is right around the corner starting in May.
American BeautyBerry Bug Spray
Simple recipe for making bug spray using the leaves of the American BeautyBerry bush. Highly effective as a mosquito and tick repellent.
Instructions
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Fill your food processor about half full with beautyberry leaves. Add 1/4 cup of witch hazel and blend to a leafy paste.
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Add about the same amount of leaves and another 1/4 cup of witch hazel to the food processor and blend to a paste again.
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Transfer all leafy paste to a quart size mason jar. It will be about half full.
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Top up the mason jar with more witch hazel to the bottom of the jar rim.
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Screw on the lid and leave on the counter at room temperature for two weeks. In a pinch, you can make a slightly weaker batch after only a few days.
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Turn the jar a few times each day as the beautyberry leaves are infusing into the witch hazel.
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Strain out the leaf matter from the infused witch hazel using a floursack cloth or fine weave cheesecloth.
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Pour the strained beautyberry-infused witch hazel into spray bottles. Your homemade bug spray is now ready to use!
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Store unused beautyberry bug spray bottles in a dark cabinet. They will be good for up to two years.
Here’s a great video on making American BeautyBerry bug spray. I use a slightly different method, but the visuals are very helpful to get the idea of what the process entails.
