There’s a popular quote that ‘If cockroaches can even survive a nuclear apocalypse, then what’s there in a can of a raid?‘. The answer to this question is simple. In a can of raid, there are chemicals that are particularly fatal for the cockroaches. Although the same chemicals aren’t fatal for us humans, however, they aren’t safe either. Just reading the labels of the repellents available in the markets would show that they are full of harmful chemicals. Furthermore, if you are babies in your house, then avoid them at any cost, since they are much more sensitive than us. You can easily avoid these repellants by opting for a more natural and safer repellent. So here are some natural DIY bug spray ideas that you can easily make at home.
Some of the natural DIY bug spray ideas
1. A lavender vanilla mosquito repellent
Mosquitoes are a great source of worry for people all over the world. Apart from their painful bites mosquitoes also are carriers of many life threatening diseases and it is important thus that you have a proper handy mosquito repellent. For this particular mosquito repellent for home all you need are 3-4 spoons of vanilla, 15 drops of lavender oil, 3-4 spoon of lemon juice and distilled water. You need to put all of these ingredients in a spray bottle which can be topped with the distilled water. You would have a mosquito repellent without the harmful DEET and also you can enjoy a very sweet smelling odor from this mixture that has been created. This is among the DIY bug spray ideas that keep mosquitoes away from you.
2. As a mosquito and tick repellent
If you are out trekking or on an adventure in the woods you might like to carry a strong and potent mosquito and tick repellent and this mixture might be just the thing you have been looking for. The sole reason of this making the list of DIY bug spray ideas is its effectiveness. To make this repellent you would need hazel, cinnamon, castor, citronella oils and eucalyptus oil. The eucalyptus oil can be added 15 drops in the mixture and the cinnamon oil should be about 5 drops. Apart from these you can add 6oz of witch hazel and 2oz of castor oil for a strong and potent repellent. Add this mixture to a bottle and shake it thoroughly to have your homemade insect repellent at your service.
3. Some essential oils
When it comes to DIY bug spray ideas, some essential oils can work wonders and be extremely effective when used in the mixture. Some of these essential oils are rosemary, clove, lemongrass, peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree, cajeput etc. This list goes on and they have many other uses as well like killing dust mites. You can try out a combination of these for best results. Furthermore, you can also try them out in some of the tried and tested formulas. You may have some separate specific demands for the strength or aroma of the concerned mixture and it is important that you mix the ingredients accordingly.
4. The formula of the medieval thieves
This can be ranked among the weirdest of DIY bug spray ideas but it is also among the most effective. Used by medieval thieves once upon a time, this formula requires rosemary, mint, lavender, garlic, marjoram, sage and all this in a vinegar base or an apple cider base. Not only does this mixture when mixed in the right proportion ward off insects and mosquitoes, it is also baby safe. Unlike the artificial pungent odor of the chemical filled bug sprays available in the markets, this one has a sweet and natural smell which fills up the area where it is used.
5. Use vinegar wisely
Vinegar has a wide variety of uses and it is no surprise that one of those uses is to fight bugs and particularly ants. Since ants stay away from vinegar, a very smart trick is to mix vinegar and apple cider and have the solution strewn along the perimeters of the house or simply the table on which food is stocked or being eaten. The only thing to keep in mind here is that it must be reapplied from time to time because the vinegar wears off very easily.
6. A balm to keep the bugs away
Often the DIY bug spray ideas are not good enough and you are scratching your brains for a better and fuller proof solution. Look no further as you now have this balm to protect your skin from the bugs. Apart from keeping the bugs away, the natural elements of this balm will help to keep your skin healthy and rejuvenated. To make this mixture get your hands on the following ingredients:
- 1/4th cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoon castor oil
- Beewax pastilles
- Cocoa butter
- 15 drops of lemongrass citronella and lemon eucalyptus oil
- 5 drops of peppermint and geranium oil
After you have these ingredients melt the coconut oil, cocoa butter and beewax in a saucepan. Give it time to melt completely and thereafter allow some time for the mixture to cool off. Once cold add the essential oil variants and you now have the very effective and potent balm to address your bug woes.
7. Peppermint oil and its magic
Peppermint oil finds a variety of uses and among many is the fact that it keeps spiders ants and other bugs at bay. So your DIY bug spray ideas can include this oil and the magic will be for all to see. You can even use a somewhat dilute version of this oil or use it as a mixture with other oils and the results won’t disappoint you.
Final words
Life would be much simpler without bugs. But that is not the case and bugs are literally everywhere especially if you are living in a tropical country. In such a scenario, you have the right options to repel and fight bugs and mosquitoes.
Since most bug sprays in the market come with a DEET content, it is important that you come up with a homemade insect repellent. We hope this article would prove to be useful as you go ahead and make yourself an insect and mosquito repellent at home. These products would have no harmful effects on your family and would even be baby safe so it is high time that you switched to its usage. These would definitely help you enjoy a bug-free life at home and also help you stay away from harmful chemicals.