Insect Repellent Recipes?

Susan Sanders-Kinzel
Diamond Feedback Medal for All Time! 1,023 Feedbacks

May 10, 20050 found this helpful

Dab lavender oil on your pulse points; it smells great on you and it repels insects.

By Diana

I have been doing some research on natural repellants and have heard that yes citronella works for mosquitos, but other biting bugs are only turned off once they have already bitten you. Here is an essential oil recipe that I have been using with quite a bit of success so far.
1) a base of glycerin from drug store (or organic oil vegitable base)
2) distilled witchhazel to thin it out (available at drug stores)
3) these esential oils :citronella, cedarwood oil, tea tree oil, sandlewood oil, pennyroyal, catnip oil.

Mostly I am a magnate for deer flies and horse flies, and wasps. I am going to the woods this weekend for 4 days. i will report back with the ultimate grade on this natural formula.

Susan Sanders-Kinzel
Diamond Feedback Medal for All Time! 1,023 Feedbacks

June 22, 20050 found this helpful

Thanks for posting your recipe, please do let us know how it works.

Hey Sue! Can't wait for your ultimate grade on the recipe. Please let us know the moment you return.

I'm back from the cottage. There was plenty of mosquitos and of course I got bitten on the neck right when I got out of my car! But I had not yet put my home made repellant on. Every one else got a few bites over the weekend except me! Even when a huge horse fly came buzzing around, I was not the one he was attracted to for a change.

I have to say it worked quite well, and I will definately use it again. I may add a few drops of lavendar oil.. (I find the pennyroyal and catnip oil a bit pungent smell wise).

On the plus side, my skin stayed moist, and I smelled pretty good (better than deet anyway). The bad side is, the less glycerin you use, the more you need to re-apply it....I almost ran out of repellant before the weekend was over.
Sue

Hi Sue!

How much of each ingredient will I need. This is for my 19-month old son, who is PLAGUED by mosquitos, so i'm dropping the pennyroyal, but how much of each other thing should I use?

Thanks!
Natalie

well, lansones, which has a binomial name of lansium domesticum is a good mosquito repellent.. Just burn its peels and it would release an aromatic smell that could repell mosquitoes..

When I had my first child 3 years ago, someone game me a recipe for a homemade mosquito repellant that worked wonders. It had sage, rosemary, thyme (yes, like the song) and one other herb. Any ideas? I am expecting and due any day now and looking for this recipe or something I would feel comfortable to use on the new one and the 3 year old. HELP!