Natural Mosquito Repellents & Bug Spray

The mosquito is one of the tiniest creatures in the Universe yet also one of the deadliest. The mosquito comes in different species and is known to carry many infectious diseases from several different classes of microorganisms, including viruses and parasites. Mosquito borne illnesses include Malaria, West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever and of course ChickV to name a few.

There are many easy Do It Yourself repellents available using natural ingredients in Trinidad and Tobago to treat with this insect. These are natural solutions, with no chemicals that can be potentially harmful to both our environment and us. Mosquito repellent doesn’t actually kill the mosquito; the repellent allows for you to be less attractive to it and hence less likely to be bitten and infected.

What Can be used as

a Mosquito Repellent?

You can certainly outsmart those mosquitoes on your own with some homemade, earth-friendly solutions. These repellents combine plants with other natural ingredients.

So let’s lay down some defensive plans and keep these mosquitoes away! Now keep in mind that although the repellent might be natural and safe it is not recommended for use very often because it will limit Vitamin D production. So we have also included a couple of Natural Bug Spray Recipes.

Vinegar Insect Repellent Ingredients

Ingredients

• One 32 ounce of Apple Cider Vinegar

• Two tablespoons each of dried Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Mint

• At least a quart size glass jar with an airtight lid Method

• Place the vinegar and dried herbs into the glass jar

• Seal tightly and store on your counter or place you will see daily.

Shake well each day for 2-3 weeks

• After the 2-3 weeks, strain the herbs out and store in spray bottles, which

can be stored in the fridge

• Use whenever necessary

• To use on skin, dilute to half with water in a spray bottle and use as needed

Note: This mixture is very strong and has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Other Simple Insect Repellents

• Add Vanilla extract to either of the above recipes or just rub on your skin,

you can also mix vanilla with witch hazel and water for a spray version.

• Rub lavender flowers or lavender oil on your skin, especially on hot parts of

body like your neck, underarm, behind ears to repel the insects.

• Rub fresh or dried leaves of anything in the mint family all over your skin to

repel the insects.

• Yet another is Lemongrass, which grows in a clump. All you need to do is

break the stalk off from the clump, peel off the outer leaves until you find

the scallion-like stem at the base. Bend the stem between your fingers

loosening it, then rub it vigorously between your palms – it will become

a pulpy, juicy mass; rub this over all your exposed skin. You can also use a

tincture using alcohol for spray applications.

Don’t waste time, help save our environment and repel those

mosquitoes the natural way. You can even plant a lemongrass trees around

your home!

Homemade Bug Spray from Oils

Homemade Bug Spray recipe just takes seconds to mix and can be varied depending on what items or ingredients you may have available. It’s interesting to note that you can purchase these ingredients from your local supermarket and or drug store.

Ingredients

• Choose from these oils: Citronella, Clove, Lemongrass (also known as

Fever Grass), Rosemary, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, lavender or Mint

• Natural Witch Hazel

• Distilled or boiled Water

• Vegetable glycerine (optional)

Method

• Fill a spray bottle (8 ounce) half full with distilled or boiled water

• Add witch hazel to fill almost to the top

• Add half teaspoon vegetable glycerine if you opt to use

• Add 30-50 drops of the oil of your choice to the desired scent. The more oils you use, the stronger the spray will be.

Homemade Bug Spray from Dried or Fresh Herbs

Ingredients

• Dried Herbs: Peppermint, spearmint, citronella, lemongrass and lavender.

It is recommended to use one herb from the mint family.

• Distilled Water

• Witch Hazel or rubbing Alcohol

• 2-3 Dried Cloves

Method

• Boil one cup of water and add 3-4 tablespoons of dried herbs in any

combination from those listed above

• Mix well, cover and allow to cool (it is important to cover to keep the oils in)

• Strain out the herbs and mix the water with one cup of witch hazel or

rubbing alcohol.

• Store in a spray bottle in a cool place. It can be stored it in your refrigerator.