Those bothersome flying bugs are perhaps the worst part of the warm summer months. Summer is usually the most anticipated of all the seasons. There’s the sports, the fishing, hiking, swimming, vacations and, last and definitely least are all those bug stings and bites. So, how can you keep those bugs away without spraying a bottle of toxic chemical bug repellents on your skin?
1. Use DIY Essential Oil Bug Repellents
Lemon Eucalyptus: a few drops in a small spray bottle will deter a variety of insects including ticks, ants, mosquitoes, and did we say ticks! Add the drops to a small spray bottle full of water and spray generously on exposed skin.
Lavender and Geranium: Create a dilution of either in a small spray bottle of water to protect against mosquitoes and ticks. Spray on exposed skin.
Soybean Oil: Add this oil to your own DIY essential oil sprays or look for products that contain at least two percent of it if you purchase a manufactured repellent.
Citronella: Citronella essential oils are potent when sprayed on your body so go ahead! Keep the mosquitoes at bay by adding a few drops of the oil to a spray bottle of water and spray generously on exposed skin!
2. Wear Insect Repellent Clothing
Wear clothing that limits skin exposure, such as long-sleeve shirts tucked into pants. Skip anything dark-colored or bold-patterned, which attracts mosquitoes. (Ticks are much easier to spot against light or white clothing, anyway.) Before stepping outdoors, pull on boots or other close-toed shoes instead of sandals, especially if you’re in a particularly mosquito-heavy area. Also, put on a wide-brimmed hat and avoid applying heavily scented lotions, colognes and perfumes.
3. DIY Herbal Insect Repellent
Apple Cider Vinegar: if you ingest two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar each day the mosquitoes will leave you alone. Try for yourself!
Basil, Lemon Balm, and Parsley: Use any of these herbs (dried) to brew a strong tea. Allow the blend to be steep overnight then pour into a spray bottle for use as a bug repellent.
Consider making this spring and summer a greener one without the use of chemical filled repellents. The repellent recipes above are a fantastic options for everyday use. It may be necessary to apply natural bug repellent more frequently, but when they smell so sweet, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing!