22 Aug Banish Bugs – Make Your Own DIY Mosquito Repellent

Summer is fast approaching – endless summer days, fun in the sun… and yes, our insect friends the mozzies will be back. Mosquitos and other little critters that come with the great outdoors, and often indoors too, need some deterring as you just taste so good to them they can’t help it!

Commercial repellents often contain some questionable toxic ingredients such as DEET that can be absorbed into your bloodstream, that are not recommended for use on children, especially in higher concentrations.

Homemade repellents can be very effective made with essential oils such as:

• citronella
• eucaplytus
• lemon
• lemongrass
• rose geranium
• lavender
• clove
• peppermint
• lemongrass
• tea tree
• rosemary

These oils all have a pleasant clean smell that will soon remind you of summer days and fun.

Some Bug Repelling Recipes

You will need a spray bottle for your mosquito repellent to make it easy to spritz on, an 8 oz bottle works well.

Ingredients

• Choose from lemon, citronella, tea tree, rosemary, or eucalyptus essential oils
• Witch hazel
• Distilled or boiled Water
• ½ teaspoon vegetable glycerin (optional)

How to

• Half fill a spray bottle with distilled or purified water
• Fill almost to the top by adding witch hazel
• Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin if using
• Add 30-50 drops of bug repellent essential oils – put together a bouquet you like
• Give it a shake

Kiddie’s recipe

Lemon and eucalyptus can be a bit too strong for sensitive kiddie’s skins, so here’s a lighter version:

Ingredients

• Distilled or purified water
• Witch hazel
• Peppermint, clove, lavender, citronella or lemongrass essential oil

How to

• Mix ½ pure water with ½ witch hazel in your bottle, leaving some space at the top
• Add 15 drops of your chosen oil and shake

Super Duper Strong Repellent

The four thieves recipe is based on a legend that there were four thieves during the plague who used this combo to survive while fleecing the unfortunate plague victims! For this recipe you’ll need dried herbs.

• Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. sage
• 1 tbsp. lavender
• 1 tbsp. rosemary
• 1 tbsp. thyme
• 1 tbsp. mint

Add the herbs along with the apple cider vinegar to a mason jar and close. Put on a sunny windowsill for 2 to 4 weeks. Strain out the herbs and transfer into a spray bottle. Please be aware this is a strong mixture – don’t get near your eyes and not for those with very sensitive skin! Best for arms and legs.

Some Mozzie Tips

Indalo Cream Cup-Shaped Ceramic Burner

• Eating a clove of garlic makes your blood unpalatable for these critters
• Wear long sleeve tops and long pants in the morning and evenings when you are outdoors in prime mozzie country
• Check your outdoors at home for stagnant water where mozzies may be breeding
• Use oil burners to burn insect repelling essential oils, it also smells great, (especially citronella) and disinfects the air
• Burn citronella oil torches in your garden
• You can add a few drops of citronella oil to a neutrally scented natural cream – great for sensitive kiddie skin
• Plant mosquito repelling plants such as citronella grass, catnip, rosemary, lavender and marigolds in your garden and outside your windows
• Rub fresh lavender on your skin

If you are going into a malaria area you should research the best and safest options you can and make an informed choice. Our insect friends can be a little inconvenient but even they have their place in the circle of life. You can take a look at our super selection of non-toxic bug repellent and itchy bite balms here. Happy summer!