Natural Bug Repellant

Here’s an alternative for those looking to use something other than Deet or harsh chemicals to prevent being eaten alive this summer!

My Recipe for Natural Bug Repellant

• My Bugger Off! Pre and Post Spray.
  • This helps to keep the bugs away and also helps if you get a bit to take away the itch/reaction.
  • Free of Essential Oils
  • Equal parts of dried herbs of Basil, Rosemary, Yarrow and Catnip, and Witch Hazel.
    • I just added equal parts of all this to a jar and covered it with Witch Hazel. Shake every day for 6 weeks then strain, and keep in a glass jar, and add to glass spray bottles when needed.
  • Safe to spray on your dogs around their collar on the back of their neck.
  • I made this for my kids when they were younger for camp and they’ve always taken it, and haven’t needed their friends’ sprays.  I wanted an Essential oil-free blend for them because I couldn’t ensure they would shake the bottle well enough to incorporate the Essential oils back into the mixture.
  • Feel free to add essential oils!
    • Lemon Eucalyptus Oil, Citronella, Rosemary, Lavender
    • A 1% Ratio of Essential Oils is plenty and more is not needed
      • 4oz Jar = 28-35 drops of Essential Oil
• You can also always make teas of the other recommended Essential oils also if you don’t want to use essential oils on the skin. 
• Dr. Roni Swears by Taking Rosemary Tincture and or Pills daily in the summer and the bugs stay away.
• TIC PREVENTION: I Use the same spray above.
  • Essential Oils that are said to be helpful:
    • Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Lemon, Lemongrass,  Peppermint, Rosemary
• One tip when camping to keep all the bugs away is to camp under a pine/cedar tree or grab lots of freshly dropped needles and spread them around camp or burn in a fire.
• Next week’s post will be on what helps bug bites, stings, and reactions.