This summer, consider making a DIY bug spray as it’s a much healthier choice than the repellents which are readily available in the market.

With summer upon us, unfortunately, most of us will be troubled by the dreaded bugs that accompany our coveted summer.

Whilst there are plenty of bug sprays in the shops a lot of them contain harmful chemicals that are not good for us.

The skin is the largest organ in the body so just think how much we must be absorbing when we spray it on our skin every night.

So why make your own mosquito repellent?

Most repellents on the market today contain DEET as it’s proven to be the most effective in repelling mosquitoes and other bugs and not killing them. DEET is approved but it has been known to cause eye irritation, rashes, soreness and blistering.

You may have noticed that it’s very effective at removing your nail polish, is this something you want to be spraying onto your skin?

There are lots of wonderful natural alternatives that you can make at home, with ingredients you probably already have or can acquire cheaply and easily.

Most of these bug sprays are made with essential oil, the following are the best to use against bugs: Citronella, Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Cajeput, Eucalyptus, catnip, Geranium, Lavender, and Mint.

There are so many ways of using a DIY bug spray. The following recipe is to be used more on clothing and equipment rather than directly onto the skin.

1. Essential oil bug repellent for clothing:

  • 30 drops geranium oil
  • 30 drops citronella
  • 20 drops lemon eucalyptus
  • 20 drops lavender
  • 10 drops Rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol or vodka
  • 120 ml witch hazel
  • 120ml of water

Method

  1. Add all the essential oils to a spray bottle.
  2. Add the vodka and shake well
  3. Next, add the witch hazel and shake again
  4. Finally, add the water. The oil and water will separate over time so every time you go to use the spray, give it a shake first

But you don’t always have to use essential oils in your bug sprays, you can also use dried herbs.

2. Dried herb DIY bug spray

  • Distilled water
  • Witch hazel or rubbing alcohol
  • Dried herbs, effective ones include: peppermint, spearmint, citronella, lemongrass, catnip, lavender

Method

  1. Boil 240ml of water and add 4 tablespoons of dried herbs (1 tbsp peppermint, spearmint, catnip, and lavender)
  2. Mix, cover and let the mixture cool. It’s essential to cover the pan.
  3. Sieve the herbs out, and mix the water with 120 ml of witch hazel and pour it into a spray bottle and store in the fridge.

These are just two of many variations of DIY bug spray you can make using natural ingredients. If you suffer from a bug problem in your own garden, you can try growing lavender, thyme, mint and citronella. The bugs don’t like the smell but you can also use the fresh leaves as an instant quick repellent.



Try rubbing the leaves on hot parts of the body, think the neck, underarms, and behind ears to ward off any unwanted visitors. The benefit of using these natural products is that they smell fantastic and are really good for your skin.

References:

  1. https://wellnessmama.com
  2. https://oneessentialcommunity.com

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