Bugs-Be-Gone! HOMEMADE INSECT REPELLENT

Tired of all those nasty chemicals? Interested in something more natural?  Well here is a recipe we use to battle the bugs that uses all natural essential oils.  If you're not sure what essential oils are, they are basically natural oils usually made by distillation of specific parts of a plant (bark, leaves, stems, etc.).  The resulting oil will have the fragrance and the useful properties of the plant it was extracted from.

Essential oils should not be taken internally.  When applied to the skin they should generally be diluted. The recipe shown will make approximately 4 ounces at a 3% dilution.

Aside from the essential oils and witch hazel, you will also need a mini funnel and a 4 ounce spray bottle (preferably amber colored to preserve the essential oils) to make this simple recipe.  

• Always be sure to shake the repellent well before using.  
• Test first on a small patch of skin to see if there is a reaction with any of the ingredients.   
• If any irritation occurs wash with soap and water immediately.
• Avoid use near eyes and as with all insect repellents, avoid use when pregnant. 
• Repellent can be sprayed on skin and clothing (But remember there are oils in it!). Reapply as needed, or about every 3 hours, and enjoy keeping the bugs away!
  

Cost effectiveness:
It will cost approximately $45 initially (including the funnel & spray bottle), however, you will have enough supplies to make the 4 ounce repellent mixture 24 times - thats 96 ounces total!  Thats only .45 cents per ounce and if you do not get the funnel and spray bottles, it will cost even less :-)

Compare:

• Homemade recipe:  Cost of approximately .45 cents/ounce
  
• Cutter Insect Repellent 6 ounces at $5.99: Cost of approximately $1/ounce  (contains 7% DEET - a manmade chemical called diethyltoluamide)

• All Terrain Herbal Armor DEET-Free 4 ounces at $9: Cost of $2.25/ounce
  

Note that the All Terrain brand  includes many of the same ingredients as our homemade recipe (with a few extra), however our recipe, though it costs more initially, is actually less money in the long run.  How many of us really only use one bottle of bug spray over the summer?

Saving money by making the repellent yourself is awesome.

Being healthier by NOT putting potentially harmful manmade chemicals on yourself and your family is PRICELESS.

If you are interested in more information on using essential oils check out "Do-It-Ourselves:  Essential Oils."