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Bug Off Spray
Updated: Jul 22
Not only are herbal bug repellents safer, using no toxic chemicals, they also work much better. I made my neighbor a bottle of bug repellent to take to girls camp and by the end of the week she said everyone was using her repellent. She also came home without a single mosquito bite. The bug repelling properties of citronella are enhanced whenever cedarwood is included in the mix so I always like to use these two oils together. I have also included a list of bug repelling essential oils and herbs below if you would like to have a hand at mixing up your own batch!
Ingredients
1 oz witch hazel (infuse with catnip for more potency)
1 oz grapeseed oil or other light oil
35 drops citronella essential oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil
15 drops lemon essential oil
15 drops lemongrass essential oil
15 drops cedarwood essential oil
Directions
Add all ingredients into a 2 ounce spray bottle.
Shake to combine.
Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle.
Shake well before each use and apply every 2 hours or so.
Note
The oil in this recipe is to keep the essential oils on your skin, if you only use the witch hazel or just add essential oils to water they evaporate too quickly so always use the oil as part of the recipe.
Bug Repelling Essential Oils
Another way to utilize the bug repelling properties of these oils is to apply a few drops to some ribbons and hang them around the area you want to keep clear of insects. Apply them straight to your clothing, behind your ears, knees and the joint of your arm. Place a few drops on cotton balls and place under beds, in drawers, closets, or other areas that creepy crawlies like to hang out.
Basil
Bergamot
Cedarwood
Citronella
Clove
Eucalyptus
Geranium
Lavender
Lemon
Lemongrass
Melaleuca (alternifolia - tea tree)
Palo santo
Patchouli
Peppermint
Rosemary
Bug Repelling Herbs
These herbs can be used to make an herbal hydrosol, tea, infuse into an oil, witch hazel or Vodka to make your own bug repellent spray. You can also plant these herbs around areas of your home in which you would like to ward of bugs.
Basil
Catnip
Lavender
Lemon balm
Mint
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
