Make Bug Spray?

[crazyeight]

Ok so its not really an art or craft but I wanted/wondered if anyone knew how to make an easy homemade bug spray that was safe for ds. Hes 18 months and crawls/walks/runs and is into everything. SOMEHOW out here in AZ we still have bugs biting him!! Of course its that sweet blood he has....tehe. I didn't get bit hardly EVER and i lived in missouri!! talk about blood suckers out there....

Ok anyways I just wanted a quick easy spray/wipe on for his ankles and legs mostly. Hes got huge bits and although hes fine with them I am not!!

Thanks!!

[dace101]

Natural Insect Repellent Recipes!

Edited to add: I think I would dilute most of these with water since it's for your 18mth old dc. Not sure how good undiluted essential oils are for baby's skin... Here are a bunch of recipes that I have saved over the years:

Easy insect repellent lotion:
15 drops of citronella essential oil, 15 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 10 drops of patchouli essential oil, 8oz light unscented skin lotion. Mix well and apply to exposed skin.

Insect Repellent Oil:
8oz light oil of choice (such as grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil)
15 drops citronella essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
10 drops lemongrass essential oil
10 drops catnip essential oil
Mix ingredients and store in a dark glass bottle (all essential oils should be stored this way). Smooth on exposed skin, repeat as necessary.

Infuse together in a canola or soybean oil:
1oz each of crushed rosemary, thyme, lemongrass, catnip, basil, bay leaf, and crushed cloves.
(To infuse, add 3 cups of oil to a pan or crockpot and simmer on low for about 1 hour. Let it sit for 24 hours and then strain out the herbs).
Apply on the arms, neck, and legs.
**Also great for horses! Rub around ears, neck, jaw, and legs.

10 - 25 drops of essential oil
2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (olive oil is fine)
1 Tablespoon aloe vera gel (optional)
Combine ingredients in a glass jar, shake to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing. Shelf life is approximately 6 months.
Suggestions for essential oils to use -
Ticks (first choice): rose geranium. Other choices: palmerosa, bay, eucalyptus, lavendar.
Mosquitoes: pennyroyal, lemonbalm (citronella), thyme, lavendar.
Blackflies: sassafras, lavendar, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, cedar, lemonbalm (citronella), peppermint.
Head Lice: teatree, rosemary, lavendar, eucalyptus, rose geranium.
Fleas: orange oil.

Lemon balm or yarrow tea can be misted onto children to help repel mosquitoes.

Rub fresh basil, feverfew, or lemonbalm on the skin. Make a spray of water with citronella essential oil, or dilute oil and rub on skin.

Natural ingredients that repel insects -
Mosquitoes: basil, catnip, cedar, citronella, juniper, lemongrass, rosemary.
Flies: basil, citronella, juniper, palmarosa, rose geranium.
Fleas: pennyroyal.
Ants: all varieties of mint.

*The American Chemical Society has released findings that shows catnip essential oil is more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes (about 10 times more effective)!

[crazyeight]

WOW thanks thats great....stupid question.....uh where can i get the oils and stuff?

[dace101]

Your local health food, or natural food and/or spices store should have an abundance of essential oils for you to choose from. They are relatively inexpensive, good for you, and a little goes a long way!

Here is some great information about essential oils and what to look for etc: AromaWeb.

[crochetmama]

You should be able to get them at Wild Oats or Sunflower...

I really only replied to this thread 'cause I'm in Tucson, too

Hugs,
tammy

[earthhugmama]

I have heard that rubbing a used camomile tea bag on skin can be used as a natural insect repellent. Also, just rubbing fresh catnip on skin works. I have tried both and found that they worked for me and the mosquitos usually love me!

[Clarinet]

I have a really easy recipe.


Boil two quarts water (8 cups I think). Slice one whole lemon and put in a container big enough to hold the water and add two or three whole stems of fresh rosemary. Let steep until the water cools and strain. This mixture does go bad, though, so don't be like me and make a summer's worth all at once.