Bug repellent you can make at home
No matter the time of year, bugs are always present in our gardens. Of course, during the summer, there are so many more than in the winter. This is because many insects become dormant during the colder months. If bugs are making it difficult for you to spend time outside or if they are taking their toll on your plants, you need to keep them at bay. Here are some recipes to help you make your own natural bug repellent.
Ingredients:
10 – 25 drops of essential oil of your choice (see suggestions below)
2 Tbsp of vegetable oil (like olive oil)
1 Tbsp of aloe vera gel (optional)
Directions:
- Put all ingredients in a jar together.
- Fit the lid and secure it tightly before shaking well to mix everything together.
- Use your fingertips or a cotton ball to apply lightly to your skin and keep bugs at bay.
- Note that each bug repellent recipe calls for different essential oils. You can find some ideas below.
Repel ticks:
- Palmerosa
- European Pennyroyal Lavender or Tickweed
- Bay
- Eucalyptus
- Rose Geranium is the best choice
Repel mosquitoes:
- Lavender
- Thyme
- Citronella
- Pennyroyal
Repel Blackflies:
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
- Pennyroyal
- Citronella
- Lavender
Repel fleas:
- Orange oil
Apart from applying the necessary bug repellent to your skin, it is also important to avoid wearing perfume or applying a sweet-smelling lotion to your skin. Many insects are attracted to these sweet smells so you can keep many away just by avoiding your usual beauty products. There are a number of neutral, non-scented lotions that you can use in order to avoid anything with a scent. You should also remember that there are also insects, like mosquitoes, that are attracted to humidity. When you sweat, you will find that they are even more drawn to you.