Summer has begun, and many are starting to venture into the great outdoors. States have started opening up parks and other recreational opportunities where you are likely to get bit by a mosquito. You've read all about how bad Deet is for you, but also know there are risks (and annoyances) with bug bites. There have to be better alternatives right?
I have been using essential oils to repel bugs for a couple of years now. So far, the best option I can find for bug spray is Young Living Insect Repellent. It's super concentrated and we dilute it with witch hazel or water. It lasts us all summer.
If you need Insect Repellant NOW! or you don't want to order it, there are other options available. I use a diffuser on my patio to help keep insects away. I diffuse several different oils to repel as many bugs as possible. You can make a bottle with whichever oils suit your personal needs.
This one is a given, and many of us already use Citronella in the form of candles to keep mosquitos away. You can diffuse Citronella or add it to a DIY insect repellant.
Lavender is great for everything, repelling bugs is one of them. Lavender repels moths, fleas, flies and mosquitoes. It smells amazing and would be a great soothing oil to use in an insect repellant.
Peppermint oil would be amazing in an insect repellant spray during the summer. A fresh cooling mist on a hike... sounds like a DIY post in the making... Peppermint is known for repelling ants and spiders, but it also keeps most pests away, including aphids, beetles, caterpillars, fleas, flies, lice, mice and moths. Peppermint is great fo using in the garden.
This floral oil surprised me when I found out it had insect-repelling effects. It is known to repel mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, ants, fleas, gnats, and ticks. Making this lovely fragrance a great touch to a daily wear insect repellant. I live in the south, and don't want to smell like I am going camping when I am just trying to not get bit.
I have always known Cinnamon is great for repelling ants. I am not sure where I learned it, so while researching other uses for Cinnamon oil, I learned it may kill mosquito larvae. One more great reason to keep Cinnamon in my outdoor collection of oils.
LemongrassI just love the smell of Lemongrass. It is so refreshing. A serious mood lifter. Lemongrass is a staple in so many places in my home. It has similar properties to Citronella. Lemongrass is known for repelling chiggers, fleas, flies, fruit flies, no-see-ums, mosquitoes, and ticks.
I have put all of these oils together in my diffuser throughout the day (and evening) while enjoying time outside on the patio. I use 5-10 drops each in a recycled oil jar and put a few drops in each time. I was pleasantly surprised by the blend of fragrance.
What ways have you tried for insect repellent?
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