Summer welcomes in buzzing swarms of trouble. Mosquito bites cause itchy, unpleasant bumps and, in some cases, mosquitos can carry diseases. Ward off mosquitoes with homemade repellent that allows you to enjoy the outdoors without the inconvenience of getting bitten.
Herbal Repellent with Alcohol
Visit your local heath-food store and pick up a small essential oil bottle of either basil, juniper, pine, myrrh or citronella. Purchase a bottle of 190-proof alcohol at either your grocery or liquor store. Mix 2 1/2 tbsp. of oil and 1 cup of alcohol in a jar. Shake the jar for two minutes. Pour it into portable containers. Always dab a little on your skin to make sure you won't have an adverse reaction. You may also use it on your clothes. Mix in other essential oils like peppermint to control the fragrance.
Repellent with Oil
As an alternative, mix your essential oils with oil. Use sunflower, olive oil, castor or citronella oil. Like above, use 1 cup oil with 2 1/2 tbsp. of essential oil. Store your mixture away from any heat. Be wary that putting these oils on your clothes may stain them. Its better to use on unclothed body regions.
Warnings
If you are pregnant, consult with your physician before using any type of mosquito repellent. Be careful with the amount of essential oil you put in your mix, because it can cause skin irritation. Always test your repellent on a small patch of skin before using it all over. You do not want your whole body to break into hives. The essential oil should only make up up to 10 percent of the repellent. Do not put the solution near your eyes. After swimming or an intense workout, you'll need to reapply it.
Tags: before using, essential oils, Repellent with, your clothes