How To Make Natural Insect Repellent That Works

Nothing says warm weather like the onset of bug bites! Insect repellents are a must - mosquitos can transmit things like West Nile Virus, and ticks are of course associated with Lyme Disease (among other things). Plus, dealing with an itchy welt isn't anyone's idea of a good time.

If you want to keep your skin bite-free but don’t love the idea of slathering on a bunch of chemicals (DEET is scary stuff, guys), consider making your own essential-oil based insect repellent. This recipe works best on mosquitos and most flying insects. If you are in an area with ticks, add juniper, oregano, and geranium to the mix.

INGREDIENTS

12oz bottle of Witch Hazel
15 drops of citronella essential oil
10 drops of peppermint essential oil
10 drops of tea tree oil (optional, but is a good idea to add if going to be in an area with ticks)
7 drops of thyme
7 drops basil
1 large jar or jug for mixing, ensure it is large enough to hold all of the ingredients
Empty spray container

DIRECTIONS

Add all ingredients to your mixing jar and shake well
Decant the insect spray into smaller spray container(s)
Store remaining mixture in the mixing jar in a cool, dark place and refill your spray bottles when necessary
Shake well before applying; apply to exposed areas 15 min prior to being outdoors. Re-apply every 90 minutes.