Repelling Insects and Mosquitoes with Aromatherapy Products
Spring is here and soon we will see the insects that come back with the warm weather. Mosquito bites are a nuisance but with the threat of West Nile Virus, it’s essential we use protection when we are outside. There are plenty of repellents on the market but most of them have the chemical DEET. People who normally wouldn’t use chemicals are using them because they are more afraid of the diseases that insects carry then they are of the chemical.
There are other choices when it comes to insect repellants.
Natural repellants don’t last as long as the artificial ones but they are safer. You should reapply natural repellants about every 30 minutes. These natural aromatherapy products are perfect if you are going to be outside for a short time watering the garden, or taking a walk. It’s important that you don’t spray any insect repellent on any cuts, rashes, open sores, and keep them away from the eyes.
Essential oils can be used as a natural repellent. We already know about citronella oil, which is rose geranium, can be effective against mosquitoes. Citronella is also volatile and is found in candles, lotions, sprays, towelette wipes and gels. Did you know that clove is also effective as a mosquito repellent? Clove oil should be used sparingly because it can cause a skin reaction. Other essential oils that are helpful to sue are lavender, cedar, peppermint, tea tree oil, castor oil, lemongrass, and eucalyptus.
Of course, the same warning applies; you should never apply essential oils directly to the skin. They should always be diluted. Test on patches of skin to see if you have a reaction to any particular oil.
How do you make your own insect repellent from essential oils?
There are ways you can make sprays as well as lotions. To make your own spray (you can buy spray bottles nearly everywhere) and you can blend essential oils with vodka, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, or olive oil. The ratio is 10 to 1, alcohol to oil ratio. The bottle should be shaken well before each use.
Making a lotion is just as easy, use two ounces distilled water, two ounces of olive oil and 120 drops of one of the essential oils we have listed above. Putting the water in a deep bowl, begin using a wire whip and beating rapidly as you slowly drizzle the olive oil into the bowl. After you have mixed the oil and water, add the insect repellent oil. Citronella is the most effective for use in insect repellent.
Another good tip, adding a few drops of your insect repellent oil into your shampoo or your liquid soap, it will offset the perfumes and fragrances that have been added that attract insects. Remember whether you use lotion or spray it looses its effectiveness when rubbed by clothes, evaporation, absorption of the skin, sweat or rain, and, windy conditions.
Other essential oils that can help repel insects are:
- Canola oil, considered safe for human consumption, it proves to be an irritant to some insects.
- Catnip oil, mix one cup of water, one cup of isopropyl alcohol and ¼ to ½ teaspoon of catnip oil. This should all be mixed in a spray bottle and shaken well before using.
- Cedarwood oil, often used in repelling moths and other insects. This works best in small confines spaces but had little effect on larger areas.
- Herbal sprays made from anise, sage, tea tree, geranium, thyme, mint, rosemary, and white clover can be used to keep insects off certain plants. It shouldn’t be used more than once a week and plants should be sprayed thoroughly on both the top and the undersides of the leaves.
Essential oils are used in various other ways, citronella oil is often used in animal collars, and tags are used on domestic pets to keep fleas and ticks away.
If you want to protect your family against chemical ingredients in commercial insect repellents, think about going the aromatherapy way and creating your own. Diluted essential oils are effective in repelling insects; you only need to use it a little more often than the commercial type.
