Natural Homemade Bug Spray
One of my least favorite things about Summer is the Bugs!
UPDATE, 2018… I’ve been making this (or variations of this) Bug Spray for quite a few summers now & keep experimenting to find the best mixture – which I think I have found a combination of Oils that not only works for BUGS, but also works to keep the TICKS away, & smells good!
When I get bit (which seems to happen more often to me than most of the other people around me) I swell up! Within five minutes of getting bit, I develop a welt, usually at least the size of a dime! Luckily the welt goes down within 12 hours or so, and then it is just a normal bug bite.
Because of how much I get bitten AND swell up, I go through a lot of bug spray. The smell of bug spray is not the best thing around, and it is filled with all sorts of chemicals. There are lots of natural bug repellents – and many herbs help keep bugs away! Lavender, Citronella, Citrus are just a few of the natural scents which help keep bugs away.
Since we got married in 2013 outside, on a farm, I knew I wanted lots of bug spray to keep everyone bug-free at our wedding. I also didn’t want our whole wedding to smell like bug spray though! I had a bottle of each of these bug sprays on each table & they were a favorite “tale-home” from the wedding.
Making your own Bug Spray is SO easy and you can control exactly what goes onto your families’ bodies (perfect for babies and children). Disclaimer: not all oils are safe for use around small children and pregnant/nursing women; I feel confident in the safety of this blend for my own family, but please do your own research first!
ORIGINAL….Supplies
- Spray Bottles
- Witch Hazel
- Essential Oils (citronella, lemongrass, eucalyptus and lavender, geranium OR buy a pre-made Bug Off Oil Mix)
Combine 2 cups witch hazel with about 40-50 drops essential oil and pour into your spray bottles. Mix Well (shake) before using. Test clothing before spraying all over everything – but this should be safe for all people and skins! *NOTE… after much testing and re-making this, I have come to the conclusion that I liked about 20 drops of the Bug Off Mix & then about 20 drops of Lavender (or about 10 of lavender and 10 of lemongrass)
THE UPDATED VERSION
Combine all Ingredients (fill the spray bottle about 3/4 of the way full – then add about 20 drops lavender & about 10 drops each of Lemongrass & Eucalyptus – adjust as you feel) Be sure to shake before applying, as ingredients sometimes seperate. Apply as needed (I usually reapply every hour or so to be sure that its nice and fresh since I seem to be a bug magnet)!
If you want even more info about how to make your own Bug Spray can be found at Wellness Mama, Off Beat Home, Remodel Aholic, & I can teach my Child
And I leave you with this, Today’s Question of the Day… What things are you allergic to?