Hello Summer! It’s time for the pool, BBQ’s, and all sorts of outdoor fun. It's also time for mosquitoes, flies, gnats and all kind of other buggy invasions-especially this summer in Texas.
Sabrina & Jenny, of The Pig and the Peacock are here to help you out giving you all natural ways to keep the bugs at bay. Today they are covering essential oils that you can easily get at your local natural grocers that target annoying outdoor bugs. Read on for more info and a recipe to make your own!
Peppermint Oil
With its strong scent and tingly sensation, it is great for repelling lots of different types of bugs. The minty clean aroma of peppermint repels mosquitoes, ants, fleas, beetles,flies. It will even repel spiders! There are a number of ways to use peppermint oil, you can make a spray, burn a candle, or soak cotton balls with the oil.
Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass is a natural bug repellent. Spend a lot of time in you yard having parties or grilling? Plant some lemongrass around your yard to keep the pests away. You can also make a spray and use this in your home to repel fruit flies (and leave your house smelling oh so citrusy)!
Lavender Oil
If you don’t already have a bottle of Lavender Oil at home, run and get yourself a bottle asap! This magical oil has been used for centuries for a plethora of things, including keeping bugs at bay. In addition to keeping moths out of your closet, it will keep mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks at bay outdoors. Bonus that it smells so good!
Tea Tree Oil
Like Lavender Oil, Tea Tree Oil is another must have around the house with many beneficial properties in addition to repelling bugs. Using Tea Tree Oil either in a spray or on a cotton ball can keep flying insects, spiders, and even lice away.
How to use these oils? The best part about these four Essential Oils besides being easy to find and buy is that they all blend well together.What you’ll need is Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils, a 2 ounce fine mist spray bottle, witch hazel or vodka, an eyedropper (if your essential oils did not come with one), and a small bowl or cup.
To make, take your spray bottle and put it in your bowl or cup to prevent spills. Pour 1 ounce of your witch hazel or vodka into the spray bottle. You could also use rubbing alcohol or a light oil, like sweet almond here too.
Next, add 10 drops of peppermint oil and 20 drops of lavender oil. If you will be using this on small children, cut the amount of essential oils to 25% as their skin is more sensitive.
Finally, shake it up to mix it well and put a label on it! Not only will this recipe help keep bugs away but you will smell great too!
