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NATURAL
INSECT REPELLENT TIPS
It's
time once again to battle the bugs. With West Nile factored into the
equation these days, bug protection is more important than it used to be.
It's
really quite easy to make your own Bug Repellent, a lot cheaper and
many prefer an option to Deet and other synthetic chemicals.
There
are quite a few options you can use as a base for your Bug
Repellent. You can keep it really simple and use water in a spray
bottle. It's very important if you are not using solubolizer
(something to blend the essential oils into the water) that you shake
well before every use, otherwise the oils may be unevenly distributed
and may cause a reaction or sensitization.
I've
been using a small slice of plain old handmade soap as my
solubolizer, it seems to be working fine - with the exception of neem
oil, that gave me a *blob*. I do still give it a shake before I use it.
You
can also use floral water for an added punch or either of the above
with a bit of witch hazel or alcohol to help preserve the blend,
although in my experience it has not been necessary. Some people find
that witch hazel will also help soothe and relieve itching. Some
people are sensitive to it though, I would use it as a small
proportion until you find something you are comfortable with.
You
can also add it to an unscented lotion base, make a lotion bar or
add it to any oil. A stable vegetable oil such as jojoba or
fractionated coconut is a good choice. (I
also used some hempseed oil with clove, it was an interesting scent
and seemed to work quite well. If you are using clove, be sure to use
a small amount and keep your essential oil well away from children,
it will burn any skin or mucous membrane that it comes in contact
with if it is undiluted or diluted to strongly. If using hemp be sure to include an anti oxidant such as vitamin e and/or keep refridgerated as hempseed is a fragile oil.)
Fractionated coconut
oil can be used in a spray bottle for use on the skin.
Generally,
oil or any of the thicker bases seem to hold the essential oils the
longest. I like the spray because I can spray my clothes and hair and
it isn't so messy. It is actually refreshing. But when the bugs are
thick, I have been using combo of both and it seems to be working
nicely. I do find I need to spray quite often if they are quite bad
and I'm gardening, but it's not a big deal, it's quite pleasant actually.
DILUTION
RATE
It
seems to be the main concensus that the best dilution rate ranges
between 1.5% - 2.5%, you can go to 5% when bugs are really out of control and you must be out in them.
I
have been going with a higher rate in my spray bottle with floral waters since I use it mostly on my clothes and hair or over the oils and using a smaller percentage in my oil base.
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AT
A GLANCE DILUTION RATE CHART
PER OZ (28g or 30ml) OF BASE OIL
6
drops = 1%
15
drops = 2.5%
30
drops = 5%
AT
A GLANCE CONVERSION TO LARGER QUANTITIES
20
- 27 drops = 1ml
100
drops = 1 teaspoon
1oz
= 568 drops
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ESSENTIAL
OILS TO USE
There
is a large selection of essential oils commonly used in bug repellent blends.
Catnip,
lemon eucalyptus and citronella are among the most popular. Others
that you can use are geraniums, patchouli, clove, neem, pennyroyal,
bergamot, cedarwood and lemongrass. I like to boost any blend I make
with lavender, it is so gentle that I feel I can use a higher
percentage without worry.
If
you are pregnant, nursing or using on small children, it's a good
idea to thoroughly research the oils you want to use to make a good,
informed decision. Pennyroyal and catnip come with contraindications
for use during pregnancy for instance and you may prefer not to use
it on small children although catnip is used by many with restraint
and is the preferred alternative to deet.
WHAT
NOT TO USE
During
*bug season* it is a good idea to reduce the amount of perfumes and
synthetic scents you use in your laundry, hair and skin. Apparently
the bugs can be attracted to these.
BUG
REPELLENT and SKIN SOOTHING INGREDIENTS
Many
people including myself use a combination natural essential oils,
herbal extracts, floral waters and oils to help keep the bugs away
and to give soothing relief when bitten by those waskily wabbits (or
what ever you like to call them :0)
If you are outdoors a lot and find that you are using a lot of insect repellent - natural or "un-natural", it is a good idea to be sure your water intake is optimal for yourself and your children if you are using it on them often as well. This is to help your body rid itself of any residues that may find their way into your system. This happens with most anything you apply to your skin, something to keep in mind and a good reason to make water consumption a regular habit.
I
hope that you enjoyed reading and using the natural ingredients and
article links and resources you will find on this site.
Must
read info on precautions in the use of DEET
on children.
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