Do you avoid camping and the cottage because you're afraid of bugs swarming you and leaving itchy reminders of your outdoor adventure?
Instead of coating yourself with chemical sprays to keep the bugs away, try a natural remedy that will tell the insects to "bug off" when you're enjoying the outdoors this summer.
Natural homemade insect repellents are great for mosquitoes, flies and other annoying seasonal bugs you find in the summer. You can tweak your formula to your liking and apply it with confidence, knowing exactly what is in it.
Mosquito bites not only carry an itchy bump on your skin that can drive you nuts until it heals, but there's also a health risk to these insect bites.
It's important to be aware that West Nile Virus can be transmitted though mosquito bites, so preventing them removes your risk of getting sick.
If you do get an itchy bug bite this summer, you can always treat that naturally with this homemade after bite recipe. You can always use these 6 home remedies to treat your bug bites without having to head to the store for more supplies.
Continue to the next page for the recipe to make natural bug repellent.
Using essential oils is a great way to duplicate your favorite store-brand products but using completely natural ingredients.
Depending on your purpose you can change your mood, treat a burn or event treat a health condition through the use of these natural oils.
When you make homemade products, it's important to remember to label them well so that you don't get them mixed up.
Essential oils are best stored in a cool dark place when you're not using them, to help preserve their effectiveness.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons of witch hazel or vodka
- 2 Tablespoons of grapeseed oil, jojoba oil almond oil, olive oil or neem oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of vodka (as a preservative, if you haven't already added it)
- 100-110 drops of essential oils
You can use a combination of different essential oils for your bug repellent.
Try This Essential Oil Combination:
55 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil (according to the CDC this is a good natural substitute for DEET in repelling insects, but not recommended for use on children under 3 years-old)
15 drops of cedarwood essential oil
15 drops of lavender essential oil
15 drops of rosemary essential oil
Directions
- Combine liquids into a small spray bottle, leaving a few ounces of empty space so you can shake the contents
- Add the essential oils
- Shake well before each use
Natural bug repellent should be applied every few hours for maximum effectiveness.
Other Bug-Repelling Essential Oils:
- citronella
- eucalyptus
- lemongrass
- tea tree
- peppermint
- cypress
- rose geranium
- bergamot
- lemon
Don't Forget:
As always with essential oils, women who are pregnant or nursing should talk to a doctor before using.
Caution should be exercised when using essential oils on young children.
Always perform a patch test first to check for an allergic reaction before using an essential oil for the first time.
Source: DIY Natural
