Summer is here and I think the only negative part of Summer is the bugs! And maybe even worse is the bug spray to go along with it. The toxic smell of it is just awful, and I know it can’t be healthy to be breathing in and putting on my skin. Quite a few essential oils are natural insect repellents, so I wanted to put together a little spray to take a long with me on summer outings and camping trips this year.

You can select from quite a few different essential oils, so feel free to use any listed. I’ll also provide the exact mix that I did. Essential oils should be stored in dark, glass bottles in a cool place.

Also, After-bite care is simple. Just mix 1 1/2 teaspoons of witch hazel with either a drop of tea tree oil or lavender oil directly to the sting or bite.

Check with your doctor first to see if essential oils are okay for you, or your family to use. Some essential oils should not be used while pregnant, and different concentrations may need to be used for elderly people.

Natural Insect Repellent

Use any of the following oils: citronella, clove, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, sandalwood. I used lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemon.

• scant 1/2 cup witch hazel
• scant 1/2 cup distilled water
• 30-60 drops of essential oils

Combine the witch hazel and water in an 8oz spray bottle. Add the essential oils. The easiest way is to add an equal number of drops of each different oil. You can use 30-60 drops total in this recipe. I recommend starting with 30. See how you react to this amount, add more if necessary.