I spend a lot of my evenings and weekends outdoors. Tending the garden, doing house chores, and feeding our pets while also chasing my daughter around our farm. We love being outside and enjoying the natural beauty we have around us. The downside to this is the amount of bugs, particularly mosquitoes. I have gotten 30 to 40 bites while pulling weeds in the garden before. Not only is the aftermath uncomfortable, but it’s also dangerous due to disease that spreads through these mosquito bites. I prefer using a natural approach to prevent and treat most common ailments.
Bug spray Photo by Getty Images/ChesiireCat
Here is DIY bug spray recipe that’s worked well for my family:
Homemade Bug Spray with Citronella and Lemongrass
Ingredients:
• 2 oz (60ml) Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) hydrosol
• 16 drops of citronella java essential oil (Cymbopogon winterianus)ointment
• 4 drops lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon citratus)
• 1 tsp aloe vera gel
• 4 ml Solubol dispersant
• 2 oz (60 ml) glass spray bottle
Directions: Blend all the ingredients together in the glass spray bottle. You will need to shake the bottle before every use. Avoid your face. Use often and re-make the product every few weeks; this recipe does not include a preservative.
(If you like the general idea of this recipe, but prefer the scent of patchouli and frankincense, then check out this great recipe from Aromahead.)
Beeswax Photo by Getty Images/Premyuda Yospim
Itch-Relief Salve
Sometimes you may get adventurous (or forgetful!) and not bring your bug spray with you. As a result, you could end up with itchy bites all over your body. There is a great solution for this, and it does not require using any store-bought chemical. You can rest assured and know there is a more natural approach to remedy this situation.
Here is a bug bite anti-itch recipe to rescue your body from those stubborn bug bites:
Ingredients:
• 1/2 oz beeswax
• 1 oz coconut oil
• 1/2 oz jojoba wax
• 14 drops of lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 7 drops of peppermint essential oil (Mentha x piperita)
Directions: First, melt the beeswax in an old pot on the stovetop. You can set the wax inside of a heatproof glass container and fill your pot about ¼ full with water; this will allow you to melt the wax using a double-boiler method. You will then add the coconut oil and jojoba wax. After the waxes are melted and fully mixed with the oil, you can then remove the pan from the stovetop and add the essential oils. Stir to combine.
At this point, pour the hot liquid into a safe container. The aromatherapists at Aromahead recommend using a lip balm tube for easy application. You will most likely need a plastic pipette to prevent spills.
After the stick cools down for a few hours, you are ready to use it! Simply rub the stick on bites for instance itch relief.
Making these remedies ahead of time is a great idea. Keep both the bugs spray, and the itch remedy balm nearby. Remember, this is not a substitute to prevent or treat allergic reactions. These recipes have been a wonderful and natural alternative that my family has used to protect ourselves during the heavy mosquito season.
