Our family loves to go camping and spend as much time outside as we can during the summer months! With the weather warming up, we’re looking forward to hikes and days in the water.
Do you know what we’re not looking forward to? Bug bites! While we’re out enjoying nature, we want to make sure our family doesn’t get eaten up by mosquitos! On the other hand, we also don’t want to use all those harsh chemicals.
What we put on our skin matters.
Skin is a very important organ that can have a huge impact on our overall health. It is highly absorbent, and toxic ingredients can wreak havoc on our systems. You may not be eating bug spray, but it is still ending up in your body. We don’t want that for our family! It’s worth the time and effort to try more natural solutions.
Natural Bug Repellents
There are several ways to repel bugs naturally. Some of them work better than others, and it is worth trying different ones out to see which ones work for you.
- Using citronella candles or natural barriers like long clothing can be helpful.
- Some swear by remedies such as spraying a garlic solution over the yard and foliage, or rubbing lemon verbena leaves on your skin.
- Essential oils and homemade bug sprays are also a great solution because so many have insecticidal properties.
There are several oils that provide bug protection. Here are a few popular choices. Combine 3 or more of these to find the scent and repellent strength you are looking for. Do be sure to check each oil for safety with children and pregnant or nursing mothers.
- Rosemary
- Eucalyptus
- Clove
- Patchouli
- Cinnamon
- Thyme
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Geranium
- Tea Tree
- Citronella
- Orange
- Lavender
You can also check with essential oil companies for bug repellant blends specifically designed to keep mosquitos, fleas, lice, ticks and other insects away. most are comprised of citronella, cedar wood, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme, and lemongrass.
Bug Spray
Use a bug repellant blend to make a basic bug spray that will keep the bugs off for hours.
- 50 drops your favorite bug blend
- 10 drops Tea Tree
- 1/2 cup Witch Hazel or a light carrier (or water for a room spray)
A few notes:
- This blend has a very strong scent, so be prepared for that!
- You can also apply by adding 8 drops to 1/2 tsp carrier oil and applying to ankles, elbows, etc. and even applying to windowsills to help keep mosquitos out.
- Different oils can vary in effect on different people. Due to this, you may have to apply every two hours or every 8. Just try it out and see how it goes.
- Due to the hot oils eucalyptus and peppermint, do not use Bug Off on children 3 and under, and even then be sure to test for reaction.
Kid-Safe Bug Spray
Just to be sure that I am using oils that I won’t have to worry my kids will have reactions to, I whipped up this recipe. It smells great and can be a summer life saver!
- 8 drops lavender
- 8 drops geranium
- 8 drops lemongrass
- 1/2 cup Witch Hazel or a light carrier (or water for a room spray)
I personally use these oils on my kids around 1.5 years and up, but they are generally accepted for ages 2 and up. Options for younger kids may include highly diluted versions of recipes or hydrosols, which are solutions made form steam-distilling plant materials with properties similar to essential oils but with a much lower concentration.
Enjoy your all of your summer excursions this year!
Free Download: Mom’s Essential Oil Cheat Sheet
Would you like a resource to help you learn to use essential oils with your family? Download this free 3-page printable:
- Basic guidelines for using essential oils around kids
- A list of safe, kid-friendly oils essential oils
- Helpful essential oil recipes
Click the link or image below to download the 3-page Mom’s Essential Oil Cheat Sheet. I’ll follow it up with more resources and free printables to help you on your essential oil journey. Grab your copy now!
*FDA disclaimer: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.”
Original article and pictures take www.intoxicatedonlife.com site
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