Homemade Bug Spray

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I’ve read a ton on homemade bug sprays. We have a huge mosquito problem in our area. I am totally against chemical laden bug sprays. I don’t want to slather my family or myself in DEET. So took in all the info I read and came up with a pretty simple recipe. Last night we tried out. We were having a bbq outside and used this spray.

Here is my opinion on the results. We had to spray it on often. We did get bit a couple of times. Which is way better than it has been in the past where we would be covered in bites. So it did work for us. It smelled nice too! ~smile~ … 

Here was my recipe..

Put following ingredients into a spray bottle:

½ cup water
½ cup alcohol
30 drops essential oil: lemongrass (could also use lavender, rosemary, citronella)
½ t vanilla extract

A friend of mine, Tiffani, shared a recipe on her blog the other day and shared how she had very good results with it. I did not have all the ingredients on hand to make hers but I am eager to try it out and keep experimenting with this. You can see Tiffani’s recipe here: http://tiffibug.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/home-made-insect-repellant/ 

Thanks Tiffani for posting a great recipe!! :)

 

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 3, 2013 at 5:03 AM

    I didn't think about putting alcohol in mine. Hmmm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalJuly 5, 2013 at 10:20 AM

      I see a lot of recipes that call for witch hazel.. and read you can sub alcohol for it.. I just bought some WH so I am going to see how that does as well. Crystal :)

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJuly 3, 2013 at 6:48 AM

    I can't wear anything with deet. I have a strong reaction to it, so I'm definitely going to be testing this recipes and seeing how they do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalJuly 5, 2013 at 10:21 AM

      Hope it works for you Shara! I'm going to try a few more combinations and see what I think. If I find any more that I like better I'll post them! Crystal :)

      Delete
  3. Cozy Seaside HomemakerJuly 3, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    Do you think eucalyptus oil would work? Going to try this!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. maureenJuly 3, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    I don't like to use anything chemically either. But I have tried that OFF device that you clip on your shorts or shirt and it worked really well! Also, we spray Avon's Skin So Soft and it does not feel a bit oily, and it smells pretty. Works especially great on your legs and ankles and keeps them soft too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalJuly 5, 2013 at 10:18 AM

      Hi Maureen, I did not know OFF had something you could clip onto your clothes! I will have to look for it. And I totally forgot about Avon's SSS spray.. I will have to get some of that as well! Thanks for the tips! Crystal :)

      Delete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2016 at 3:13 AM

    A friend of mine who owns horses makes a mix of original SSS and vanilla and a third ingredient, I'm thinking apple cider vinegar? It helps with noseeums, flies, and most prob mosquitoes. I made a LARGE batch about five years ago, and am still using it for my dogs. If anyone is interested I will do my best to make sure of that third ingredient.

    ReplyDelete

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All messages are moderated. After approval your message will be posted. Thank you for your comments!! Crystal :)

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