Change The Way You Fight Insects – Natural Mosquito Repellent

According to the LSU Ag Center, there are over 60 species of mosquitoes that buzz around the state every day of the year. But, at our house, they are doing more than buzzing, they are biting! And if you are feelin' kinda crafty, here is a recipe for all natural mosquito repellent.

Here is a recipe for natural mosquito repellent from About.com.It's nice to know exactly what goes into your mosquito repellent. But, remember, natural repellants can still be irritating.

A few important tips from the recipe:

• The essential oils don't mix with water, so you dilute them with other oils or alcohol.
• Don't go overboard with the essential oils, they can be irritating to the skin.
• If you are pregnant or nursing, do not use any mosquito repellent until you talk to your doctor.

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If you are making large amounts of mosquito repellent, a good rule of thumb is to mix the repellent so it's 5-10% essential oil, so mix 1 part essential oil with 10-20 parts carrier oil or alcohol. For a smaller batch use:

• 10-25 drops (total) of essential oils
• 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil or alcohol

The essential oils that work well against mosquitoes are:

• cinnamon oil
• lemon eucalyptus oil
• citronella oil
• castor oil

Safe carrier oils and alcohols include:

• olive oil
• sunflower oil
• any other cooking oil
• witch hazel
• vodka

Natural Mosquito Repellent Recipe

Mix the essential oil with the carrier oil or alcohol. Rub or spray the natural insect repellent onto skin or clothing, using care to avoid the sensitive eye area. You'll need to re-apply the natural product after about an hour or after swimming or exercise. Unused natural insect repellent may be stored in a dark bottle, away from heat or sunlight.

About.com

LSU Ag Center