
DIY Natural Insect Sprays to Stay Bite-Free
When a recipe calls for mint, can you use any mint essential oil, such as peppermint, spearmint or wintergreen? Or does it need to be one specific type of mint?
Hi Linda, and thanks for your question. Any mint you choose be effective, but it does seem that folks using peppermint or spearmint have reported the best results. If you find one that works better than others, please share!
I just noticed the witch hazel I bought is alcohol free — can I still use this?
Hi Shannon, while witch hazel is a bit of a repellent itself, in the recipes listed here that contain witch hazel, the other ingredients are responsible for much of the potency. While I’ve not tried the alcohol-free witch hazel, my expectation would be that it would work fine. I hope you’ll give it a try, and let us know how it works for you!
Hi, I tried those, and 3 more from another site. None of them have worked for me flies all on me biting me 😬
I am surprised no one has mentioned parsley. It seems to be the only thing that works for me (mosquitos love me) Need to use fresh juice from the plant so I rub leaves together with some water and wipe it on. I might look a little bit green ; ) but it also soothes a bite where a persistent vampiress bug has found I missed a spot.
I don't know about repelling ants. The ones in my area love to built their mounds right in the middle of my herbs! Mint, basil...everything that's supposed to repel them, seems to draw them instead! Except garlic. It seems to repel absolutely everything. (Onions seem to work fairly well in that regard, too.)
If you drink drip coffee, save the grounds, let them dry, and sprinkle them where ant beds are. In 24 hours the ants will be gone, its a deterrent, they hate them. I've tried this, and it works. Replenish after it rains.
What bug spray recipe can I make to keep fruit flies from attacking me? They literally attack me 24/7.
When I'm working in the yard, I spray undiluted white vinegar on myself. For my face and ears, I put the vinegar in my hand, and pat it around my eyes and ears. it doesn't hurt your skin. It works!