Categories: Quick Tips

DIY Insect Repellent: Friday Quickie

Outdoor barbecues, camping, concerts and wonderful summer weather (and lots of rain) tend to bring the pests among us. But scary chemicals like DEET (the most commonly used pesticide in mosquito sprays) have been found in various studies with side affects including harming the nervous system and birth defects.

What’s an outdoor lover to do? One option is to DIY Insect repellent – and it’s a lot easier than you think!

DIY Bug Repellent: Recipe

What you’ll need:

  • Spray bottle (8 or 10 oz)
  • Water
  • Essential oils
  • Carrier oil or alcohol

Plant extracts like witch hazel (available at pharmacies) and/or olive oil, sunflower oil, cooking oils (or even vodka) can be the oil/alcohol component.

For essential oils, you’ll want to use tea tree for ticks (especially in this are), chiggers or deer flies. Citronella, lemon  eucalyptus work well for mosquitoes and black flies.

One recommended recipe for adults (courtesy of Inhabitat) is: Create a 20:80 mix of water and witch hazel, add a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin, and 30 drops of essential oil. 

Make sure the formula is 5-10% essential oil so it’s strong enough to deter pests.

Additional outdoor tips to avoid bugs: Wear hats, remove standing water and keep food covered.

Enjoy the outdoors!

 

Photo: Infotube

 

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Share
Published by
Julie Hancher

Recent Posts

Rally Against Rate Hikes, Free ‘How City Council Works’ Training, Native Plants Guide & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: 25 Philly-Area Solar for Schools grants awarded. Lawmakers…

4 days ago

How to match your dollars with your values: Invest in less plastic, not fossil fuels.

Green Century has helped investors and businesses support the planet, not polluters, for over 30…

6 days ago

Can a greener Philly reduce crime?

In a bid to improve public safety, quality of life initiatives are bringing brighter lights…

7 days ago

Ride of Silence, Brownfields Cleanup, Solar in Schools, & More

Catch up on this week's sustainability news: New public orchard and gateway garden at Penn…

2 weeks ago

Sustainability with substance: How local green entrepreneurs strive for success

Consumers want authentic sustainability from suppliers. Without flashy funding or shortcuts, here's how these local…

2 weeks ago

Eco-Explainer: SEPTA is in a Funding Crisis. What’s the deadline to save it?

The transit agency may look drastically different if Harrisburg doesn’t act. Here are the key…

2 weeks ago