DIY: Making Your Own Eco-Friendly Mosquito Repellent

How To Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Mosquito Repellent

With all of this humidity we've had lately, the mosquitoes seem extra bothersome. But, before you start dousing yourself daily with store-bought bug spray, consider making a more natural, eco-friendly repellent at home.

Sure, the supermarket has tons of brands promising to keep you itch-free, but the harmful chemicals (DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, etc.) found in these are not the safest to absorb into your bloodstream. Take a look at how easy this recipe is below:

Supplies:

• 8'10 oz Spray bottle
• Water
• Witch hazel
• Essential oils of choice

Keep in mind: Citronella, lemon, eucalyptus, and tea tree are great for older kids and pets in terms of fending off mosquitoes and blackflies, but lemon and eucalyptus can irritate the skin of very young children, so consider using peppermint, clove, lavender, or lemongrass essential oil instead for small children.

Directions:

1. Create a 50/50 mix of witch hazel and water.

2. Add 15 drops of your essential oils of choice.

3. Mix and start spraying!

Easy-peasy! If you would rather have a lotion instead of a spray simply sub out the water and witch hazel for 1/3 cup of coconut oil.

Be conscientious when applying your home-made eco-friendly remedies, as they tend not to last as long as their store-bought counterparts.

With the threat of zika this summer, mosquito prevention and repellant is no joke. If you're in need of a professional solution to mosquito control, schedule a service with us!