Make Your Own Bug Spray

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MosquitoI hate mosquitoes.

Luckily, I live in Seattle where there are less of these dang blood-suckers than in most states.

But, a few nights ago, I went to our P-Patch garden in the evening to do some watering and forgot to wear bug spray.

The next day, I had big welts on my legs. ARRGGHH! Dang mosquitos! And stupid me for not wearing bug spray!

Don’t be like me. Make your own handy-dandy, homemade bug spray and use it.

It’s easy to make, isn’t hazardous to your health like DEET, and is pretty cheap to boot.

HOMEMADE BUG REPELLENT

You’ll need:

  • a spray mist bottle (4 oz or 8 oz)
  • witch hazel
  • 2 tsp. glycerin
  • distilled water
  • lemongrass essential oil
  • eucalyptus essential oil
  • lavender essential oil

Directions:

  1. Fill the bottle half-way with distilled water.
  2. Add enough witch hazel to almost reach the top.
  3. Add glycerin.
  4. Add your own combination of essential oils. For 8 oz. bottles, 35-50 drops is a good. For 4 oz. bottles, use just 25 drops. For example, for my 8 oz. bottle, I used 20 drops of lemongrass, 15 drops of eucalyptus, and 15 drops of lavender.
  5. Screw on the bottle sprayer cap and shake well.
  6. Spray on your arms and legs prior to going out to mosquito land.

By the way, if you live in Seattle, a great and affordable place to find all the ingredients, including the spray bottle, is Zenith Supplies in the Ravenna Neighborhood.

I tried this bug spray for a week at Yellowstone National Park last year. Lo and behold, it was one of my only outdoor vacations where I didn’t get mosquito bites. Hallelujah! Now, if only I can remember to use it at home.

Try it and let me know what you think of it!

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