Homemade and Natural Insect Repellents
Learn how to avoid pesky critters this summer the old-fashioned way
Summer has arrived. The weather is warming up and it’s time to break out the outdoor gear, stock up on sunscreen and insect repellents and plan that next adventure into the great wide open. But before you run out to Target
Learn how to avoid pesky critters this summer the old-fashioned way
Summer has arrived. The weather is warming up and it’s time to break out the outdoor gear, stock up on sunscreen and insect repellents and plan that next adventure into the great wide open. But before you run out to Target or Walmart for DEET-based sprays recommended by pediatricians, consider saving up for the trip and create a customized spray instead.
The key to self-made inset repellents lie in understanding what makes those pesky critters tick. Flies and mosquitoes like certain smells, like fruity fragrances or foul-smelling rubbish (flies). Stagnant pools of water attract wasps and mosquitoes, and others like to burrow away behind ailing plants. Part of any insect-fighting strategy takes into consideration the avoidance of those “me, me, me” attractions. But it also turns out that humans can learn from their plant friends, who don’t exactly enjoy the itchy bites of their insect allies, and so they’ve evolved defenses to ward off pests. Luckily, most are safe and convenient for human consumption and act as effective counteroffensives in insect combat.
Essential and plant oils make potent bug juice to keep insects at bay. A tablespoon or two of apple cider, citronella oil from Thai lemon grass, peppermint, cinnamon, lavender and mint are strong enough to prevent any potential tick or mosquito attack. The downside is the fragrance; the strong smells of some of these minty or vinegary oils can dampen your enthusiasm and have you reaching for the Chanel. In addition to warding off the vamps, garlic makes an excellent repellent. Its natural scent has enough power to ward off insects for up to six hours. If you know you’ll be outdoors for, say, a fireworks display or a beachside bonfire, add some aromatic garlic to a romantic dinner and you’ve got yourself a bug-free date night.
It’s not that you should discard every single bottle of Off! and Cutter. But the skin-irritating properties and neurological deficits of a chemical developed by the U.S. military in the 1940s should give pause to sustained, long-term use.
A Recipe for Herbal Bug Spray from the Wellness Mama
Boil one cup of water. Add in 3 to 4 tablespoons of dried herbs (peppermint, spearmint, lavender, citronella, lemongrass or catnip, using at least one minty herb). Mix well, cover and then allow to cool. Strain the herbs out and mix with water and one cup of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and store in a cool place.
