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8 Essential Oils for Repelling Bugs
Now is the time to be enjoying the great outdoors. From picnics, water sports, yoga on the grass, and sitting by the campfire — we create memories and joyful moments thanks to Mother Nature.
But, with nature come its pests. What better way to disrupt our commune with the great outdoors than with a swarm of bugs?
Whether we are talking mosquitos or smaller unwanted critters like fleas or ticks, we know we want to keep them at bay. And preferably, without the use of harsh smelling (and often, toxic) chemicals.
To create your own DIY bug repellent spray, simply add any combination of the following essential oils to a bottle of witch hazel and water (about 50 drops to 2 ounces of water and 2 ounces of witch hazel). Or you could add a few drops to your diffuser for repelling unwanted creepy crawlers indoors.
Cinnamon Bark: A powerful essential oil with a long history of medical uses, cinnamon bark is among the best essential oil against ants as it inhibits their sense of smell.
Citronella: Perhaps the most commonly used essential oil against mosquitoes, citronella is also excellent against parasites and fungi. As a bonus, citronella is known to have calming effects on dogs. Cats, however, are typically not fans.