Bug Repellents and Relief with Aromatherapy

June 18, 2010

Written by Traci

Bug Repellents and Relief with Aromatherapy

Keeping summer bugs at bay can be challenging.  Mosquitos and chiggers abound all over the country.  Here in Florida we have no-see-ums which are like mosquitos on a war path.  And you can’t see them coming!  When I first moved here we went to a fishery on the water and I left with about 50 bites all over my lower back.  I thought it was a good time to share some essential oils that work amazingly.  Some deter bug bites and some heal and relieve itching once you have bites.

Patchouli is a great natural bug repellent and can be applied neat or undiluted on the skin.  Put 1 drop on your fingers and rub on your ankles or other areas you’re prone to get bit.  Here’s a DIY natural bug spray recipe that works well too.  You can add it to 1 ounce of water or a carrier oil such as jojoba oil.  I prefer the oil base because it works longer having more staying power.  It smells amazing too!

Natural Bug Spray Recipe

• 5 drops Patchouli
• 3 drops Peppermint
• 3 drops Orange
• 1 drop Eucalyptus

Lavender is amazing at relieving itching once you have been biten.  We had a lavender scrub body treatment at a spa I worked at and a woman came in one day going bananas itching from no-see-um bites.  She was so relieved after the treatment she came back the next day to buy some of the scrub and tell us how much better she felt.  Lavender can be applied neat or undiluted on the skin.

If you’re not into making your own natural bug repellent, check out Kokokahn’s Bye Bye Bugs Natural Bug Repellent.

What do you use to keep bugs at bay in the summer?  Have you tried any natural alternatives?