How to Easily Make Natural Bug Repellent

Have you ever read the ingredients and warnings on your favorite commercial bug spray? Scary stuff! Here is a simple recipe to make a natural repellent using essentials oils. Safe, non-toxic and smells a lot better.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• soybean oil
• essential oils of: lemongrass, geranium, catnip, & eucalyptus
• storage container for end product

1. Purchase some soybean oil to use as the carrier oil for this repellent. I recommend getting this from a health food store and getting oil specifically labeled to be used as a carrier oil. Soybean oil for cooking is not going to be of the same quality. The benefit of soybean oil is that it inherently has natural repellent properties!

2. Mix 1/2 cup of soybean base oil with the following:
   
   15 drops each of lemongrass, geranium and catnip essential oils
   10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil (you can use basil essential oil in its place if you prefer)

3. After shaking it up, allow it to set for at least one hour prior to using it. It can be placed in a spritzer, spray or squeeze bottle. I prefer to keep my essential oil mixtures in a glass bottle that is tinted blue or amber to limit sunlight exposure and breakdown. Use within 6 to 12 months for maximum potency.

Tips & Warnings

• Shake prior to each use.
• Spread lightly over palms and then apply to the rest of your body. It's a great moisturizer too!
• Other essential oils are good repellents also such as: cedar, thyme, rosemary, neem and citronella.
• Check out additional articles under Resources for more easy and natural ways to avoid bug bites!
• Please test a patch of your skin for sensitivities before applying all over you or a child's body.
• Most essential oils are too strong to be applied directly to the skin and need to be mixed with a carrier or base oil. So research before applying any oil to your skin in its full concentration.

Resources

• Info & assistance on holistic health & wellness
• How to Naturally Avoid Mosquitoes & Prevent Bites
• How to Make a Good Smelling Natural Bug Spray

[mzvocal]

on 8/13/2009 Thanks - I sure needed this article!