Thursday, July 9, 2015

Homemade Bug Spray

I am very allergic to mosquitoes!  They can make an entire limb swell up.  Then that will leave a bruise underneath for weeks.  It's painful rather than itchy.  BUT, I have never been able to wear bug spray either.  They all give me severe headaches and make my eyes swell up.  I spent a lot of very hot summer days and nights in long sleeves, long pants and boots because of this.  After my daughter was born, I didn't want to risk any of it so I started experimenting with natural, homemade bug sprays.  I've tried many but one worked better than any others.  That is this one.  Some put lavender instead of eucalyptus.  I tried that and still had several bites.  I tried tea tree oil as well.  Tea tree seems to work for ticks but I still had mosquito bites.  After using this spray, my daughter and I had zero, yes I said ZERO bites.  If you follow my blog, you have seen my carpet treatment for fleas.  It uses eucalyptus oil as well.  I believe eucalyptus is just a great bug deterrent.  (FYI, it's also good for clearing sinuses.  Just put a few drops in each corner of your shower before taking a hot, steamy shower.)  I didn't make a fancy bottle for this or anything.  I just bought a little spray bottle from Walmart or Target.

Natural Bug Spray Recipe:

Ingredients:
3.5 ounces Witch Hazel
Equal parts:
       -Lemongrass Oil
       -Eucalyptus Oil
       -Citronella Oil

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a 4 ounce spray bottle.  Shake well before each use.  Spray just like any other bug spray.  Repeat as needed.



I hope it works as well for you as it did for my family!