Citric 'Squito Spray: A Natural Mosquito Repellent
Bottle of Natural Mosquito Repellent
Citric Mosquito Spray: A Natural Mosquito Repellent
Introduction
I am a mosquito magnet. The minute I go outside, I am sure to lose about a pint of blood to the tiny winged vampires. I used to bathe in bug spray, but that could not be healthy for me--or my lungs--when using it. For like mosquitoes, the spray dove where I never wanted it.
So I investigated homemade insect repellents. I read in the book Salt, Lemons, Vinegar, and Baking Soda by Shea Zukowski, that mosquitoes dislike lemons. Instead of using a peel of lemon as the book recommended, I decided to use lemon juice in water with some other natural oils.
You will need the following to make Citric 'Squito Spray:
Citric 'Squito Spray Ingredients
Ingredients and Supplies
- Lemon juice, from concentrate
- Water
- Citronella Essential Oil
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Spray Bottle
Instructions and Notes
The amount of each ingredient you use depends on the container, but I pour mine right into a spray bottle. I use around 2/3rds lemon juice concentrate. The rest is mostly water with sprinklings of oils.
I layer in the mixture. I like to put some water in first, then some lemon juice, then some oils. Then repeat. In the bottle pictured above, I use around six drops of each oil, but I make sure to have enough peppermint essential oil to cut the smell of the other essential oils.
Most of the recipe came from trying to make a natural flea repellant for my dogs, but I discovered this works better on humans plagued by mosquitoes. For me, on the bad swarm days, the above recipe works just as well as the commercial product. That is, it works decent. On the good, mosquito-light days, it works better--for the little buggers are not so desperate and have to look hard for an area I did not spray.
Give this homemade mosquito repellent a try, but keep in mind, I am not a doctor. If you have allergies or suspect you have allergies to any of these ingredients, do not use the product. Keep in mind less is more with essential oils and that lemon juice can sting. Do not get this product in your eyes or on any open wound or cut. Finally, be a little careful with spraying this on clothing. I have experienced no discoloration, but I have heard lemon juice can bleach clothing.
That is it. Enjoy your Citric ‘Squito Repellent, and let me know how it works for you.
Lemon Juice Concentrate and Essential Oils
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