- Image by alexispz via Flickr
I was ranting at facebook and twitter about my frustration with mosquitoes this summer. It’s just horrible! Add the fact that they love to feast on me, but won’t bite my husband. Not that I want him bitten, I just think they love me more, and it’s not fair!
Spray some insect repellant! There. Problem solved. Uh, no, thanks. Really. I don’t like slathering myself nor my family with any of those toxic chemicals. DEET, which is the main ingredient in most of the insect repellants in the market today, has been shown to have an effect on kids’ nervous system not to mention that health risks we take inhaling them or being absorbed by our skin. Honestly, I don’t know which one is more evil – being bitten by mosquitoes and risk getting diseases, or poison ourselves with the toxic chemical mosquito repellants out there.
A facebook friend mentioned that she has been using essential oils to repel mosquitoes and has worked wonders for her. That’s interesting. She even shared her personal essential oils recipe designed specifically for that. I was thrilled! The only thing is, she didn’t mentioned the size of the bottle she was using for the mixture. I tried asking for it but hasn’t received any reply yet.
So I searched for more essential oil recipes online. I have found out that essential oils have been used for milennia to repel insects which worked effectively and are safe for inhalation. It must be noted, however, that only pure, therapeutic-grade oils must be used. Most that are sold in health food stores are not safe for internal or external use.
Here’s a sample blend I found and plans to use (as soon as I get my hands on those pure, therapeutic-grade oils):
On a 4-ounce dark glass spray bottle, mix: 1/3 vodka 1/3 water 1/3 witch hazel 120 drops of Rose Geranium 80 drops of Lemongrass 20 drops of Peppermint Then you can spray on clothes and/or skin.I’ve also learned that not only can you turn your house to smell like a spa using these aromatherapy oils but you can benefit from its insect repellant qualities as well, not to mention the health benefits that comes with it. It’s recommended to use a nebulizing diffuser that does not need the oils to be mixed with water for a maximum effect. Nice! Can’t wait to try it.
If you’re a starter like me, here’s some more helpful information about using essential oils for pest control from Dr. David Stewart, founder of C.A.R.E. (Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education): http://www.raindroptraining.com/messenger/v1n5.html#one Don’t skip reading this article. It has an interesting story about how he experimented using essential oils to repel AND kill a brown recluse spider!
Okay. Your turn. Have you used essential oils to repel mosquitoes / insects? Has it worked for you?
I want to hear from you! Share with us your essential oils recipes and let’s learn from each other!
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Awesome! Thanks for posting this. I am going to try to track down these ingredients, but not sure it’s possible, here in Guatemala… but I’ve got a mission today. It’s rainy season here, so the mosquitoes are bad, and like you, I refuse to put deet on my skin or spray it on my son. Thanks!
Lainie Liberti´s last [type] ..Podcast Episode 7 – The Art and Zen of Motorcycle Guidance
It’s been a very wet summer here in the States as well, that’s why it’s been a very bad mosquito season. No matter what time of day, you will get bitten once you go out. I always wear pants and sun jacket when I go out in my backyard and I still get bitten in my face and other exposed areas. Good-luck in finding the oils. Let me know what happens!
Cherrie´s last [type] ..Mom Tips On Repelling Mosquitoes Using Essential Oils
Great advice! Please let us know how your essential oil recipe works out.
I will! Are you planning to try it as well?
Cherrie´s last [type] ..Mom Tips On Repelling Mosquitoes Using Essential Oils
I would love to try it, but it’s not in my budget right now. I was thinking next month, but the summer will almost be over. If it works for you, I will definitely keep the recipe because I’m not satisfied with any of the other repellents I’ve purchased.
This goddess simply Adores essential oils and uses them for everything.
No Deet for me either.
I have found that pure Lavender oil works well for me to keep the buggies at bay but your recipe might be a little less spendy than using neat oil.
The other thing that’s worked really well for the whole family is taking garlic oil capsules daily. Not only is it good for heart and circulation, but it apparently ‘sours’ the blood so the bugs don’t think you’re quite so tasty!
Bliss-ings,
the goddess known as Jacqui
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Garlic oil capsules? Wow, that’s interesting! I wonder if I would be able to get the kids take it? Or is it just for adults? So it only sours the blood and not get you give off foul smelling odors too? Just wondering, lol! But I would be very interested to try that as well. Anything to help me be less appealing to mosquitoes!
Cherrie´s last [type] ..Mom Tips On Repelling Mosquitoes Using Essential Oils
They’re tasteless and usually quite small, so if your kids are taking a multivitamin or are just ok with swallowing pills, they should be fine.
And no, humans can’t smell it LOL
Really good for keeping vampires away though, which is something you might need to consider ….
Jacqueline Gates´s last [type] ..My 7 “I’d Really Rather you Didn’ts” – Facebook edition
In that case, I’ll stick to essential oils then! lol!
Cherrie´s last [type] ..Mom Tips On Repelling Mosquitoes Using Essential Oils
Hey Cherrie
This is very timely! My son’s camp counselor said it might help to send bug spray to camp and I thought, What am I going to use because I DON’T want to use DEET!
So thanks!
Did you go to BlogHer BTW?
Sarah
Hi Sarah! Yeah you should try it. If you’re in a hurry you can try the EcoSmart organic insect repellant. I’m still trying to get the therapeutic-grade oils so for the meantime, I’m using EcoSmart. It’s DEET free, and it’s made out of essential oils as well! It doesn’t smell citronella at all which I hate, by the way. Good-luck!
Cherrie´s last [type] ..Mom Tips On Repelling Mosquitoes Using Essential Oils
Hi Cherrie,
I dislike mosquitoes and the toxicity of deet. If I could find a mosquito repellent that worked and was good for me I would surely get it. So I will be back to find out how you fared in your journey to get the best essential oil repellent! Summer life would be sooooo much better without mosquitoes. Our city still sprays for bugs, so we get that toxic stuff in our bodies, but when we go to the country we get to combat the real bugs!! I will see if we can get Eco-Smart here to start with. Holly
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Aloha Cherrie,
I love the idea of using essentials instead of that chemical stuff! You always give such great natural tips that are very practical for everyone! I believe the more natural we can get the better!
Thank you for educating us! I really appreciate all of your knowledge and wisdom!
Aloha,
Kellie
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Same thing here, Kellie. Sometimes my husband would tease me and tell me to go live on the mountains. If only I can…
I honestly didn’t know that repellents were that bad for us. I’m so glad I live on the 12th floor and don’t have to deal with mosquitoes on a daily basis. However my parents and my brother’s family have to deal with them constantly and this recipe as a natural remedy will certainly come in handy- thanks!
Blessings,
Eren
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Believe it or not, living in Florida, we don’t seem to have mosquito problems. And we have a ton of rain in the summer months. We also live next to a preserve, and I can see standing water in there. But no mosquito problems.
Love the idea of essential oils for my home. I’ll have to get some to turn it into a ‘spa’!
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I use a blend called Purification and it works well. Not as well as OFF but I take the trade off!
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Sounds interesting! What brand are you using? Do you have a link?
Great tips! I’m a new mom myself, my son is only 6 months, but I already can’t imagine spraying him with bug spray (even though I have to wait quite a while before I can spray him with anything). I’ll be sure to give this mixture a try this summer. And I love the fact that it will smell so much better than that icky bug spray! Thanks for sharing the recipe!