homemade natural insect repellent

[tbone_kneegrabber]

I'm looking for recipes for making insect repellent. Right now we have California Baby spray but its expensive and I want to make some to leave at ds' preschool.

I'm looking for a recipe for a spray bottle and a "stick" like badger balm.

TIA!

[henny penny]

Bumping! I searched this forum for homemade bug spray and found your query! I've been reading a lot about essential oils lemon eucalyptus, lavender, and geranium, but can't find a recipe. I'm now using burt's bees thinned about 50/50 with pure grain alcohol so it isn't so oily. It works ok, but we still get some bites. Repel brand uses lemon eucalyptus but I want to make homemade. Anyone????

[AprilDaisy]

I make a repellent salve that I love! It's a balm type. I put some herbs in olive oil (my preference is rosemary and basil...you could use any others that repel) and let them sit in a pan to sit warm for a bit. Strain. Then I add some wax to harden it to the right consistency. I have a recipe, but it's in storage.

I've been looking a lot lately for a new recipe though...something different. Definitely a skin soother new cause my daughter is allergic to the other ones I made.

I'd love to have a spritzer type thing also. I've been looking around, but haven't found a recipe yet.

[islandmama143]

Spring water + peppermint (7 drops) + rosemary (5 drops) essential oils --it's that easy! I just winged it and it's working great! I'd say add more drops depending on how strong you want it.

Apply frequently, every few hours. I put it on my son everytime he goes out the door. He was getting eaten alive and now...not a bite!

[henny penny]

Thanks! I can't wait to try these!

[His Own]

Here are a couple more natural, easy bug sprays:

1. Mix one part cheap Mexican clear vanilla in one part water. Apparently bugs just don't like this smell.

2. Heat a quart of water almost to boiling. Slice a large lemon into very thin slices. Add the lemon slices plus one tablespoon of dried rosemary into the hot water. Cover with saran wrap, and leave it to cool overnight. Strain out the solids, and put the yellow liquid into a spray bottle. Bugs don't like this either.

Good luck!