DIY all natural bug spray

Raise your hand if you hate bug sprays.  This can be a huge problem if you’re like my 2 year old son River and I and you seem to be particularly allergic to their bites while somehow attracting everyone of them to your flesh. Do I put out some kind of unknown mosquito hormone that flashes like a neon sign?

I’m pretty anti bug spray; the chemicals and the especially the smell are enough to have steered me away my whole life. The latest result of that aversion is about 20 giant welt like bites that are all over my body.  After waking up in the middle of the night with an unsatisfiable itch on the bottom of my foot of all places, I knew that I had to find a way to make my own repellant.  So after scouring the net for what naturally repels the pests, I found that essential oils can come to my rescue.

The best oils to use are citronella, lemongrass, peppermint and lavender.  You need to mix your oils in with a carrier, either and oil or alcohol.  Now the thought of an oil based spray didn’t appeal to me, so I chose witch hazel. I’ve used witch hazel before and I know all of it’s amazing qualities for soothing skin (more DIY witch hazel tutorials to come!)

Feel free to use the oils in any combination that you like to find a scent and mix that works for you. I do, however, recommend using a majority of citronella though as I feel it works best to deter the bugs.

Gather your witch hazel, essential oils (important to use the essential oils, not fake scented, filled ones), and a spray bottle.  Try mixing 1 cup at a time.  1 cup witch hazel, 15 drops of citronella, 5 or 6 of lavender and 5 or 6 of peppermint.  Pour all together, shake and start spraying.  Take that mosquitos!

You’ll have your own all natural, chemical free, not at all obnoxious smelling bug spray! Keep some next to your back door, in the diaper bag, wherever and spray before all your summer outings to not have to worry about getting itchy later!