Keep bugs away with repellent made from essential oils.
Insects often ruin a pleasant outing. Mosquitoes in particular can leave itchy and painful welts behind when they bite, and they are also carriers of serious diseases. To combat these and other insect pests, most people reach for insect repellent. Unfortunately, commercial repellents often contain chemicals, the most prevalent being DEET. A study performed by Duke University in 2002 showed that DEET (in addition to other chemicals in insect repellents) can have an adverse effect on brain function. Instead, make your own, safe bug spray with natural essential oils such as lemongrass and catnip.
Instructions
1. Pour 1/2 cup of the soybean oil into a clean, empty spray bottle. You can also use other types of oils, such as vegetable oil.
2. Add at least 10 drops each of catnip and lemongrass oil. These are the two herbs that repel insect pests.
3. Drop three to six drops of a pleasantly scented essential oil into the mixture, such as lavender, eucalyptus or scented geranium oil, if you don't like the strong scent of the lemongrass and catnip combination.
4. Place the lid on the spray bottle and let the mixture sit for an hour or so. Store it out of direct sunlight, and use within six months. Spray it directly on your skin any time you want to repel insects.
Tags: essential oils, insect pests, lemongrass catnip, oils such, spray bottle