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With the weather warming up now, it means more pesky bugs all around! While they can be very beneficial, it’s not fun when you’re being eaten alive by mosquitos or the gnats are flying all around your face while you are enjoying the great outdoors or even in the home.
Bug repellant can be found at pretty much any store. Some work better than others, and some are laden with chemicals that you might not want to constantly douse yourself in or spray around the house. If your looking for an affordable alternative, check out some of these DIY Bug Sprays and Catchers!
Essential Oils
You can use essential oils in place of deet or other chemicals to repell bugs. You just need to be careful you are choosing the oils that actually repel verses attract bugs. Some oils include cedarwood, lavender, lemon, patchouli, neem, peppermint, rosemary, basil, thyme, citronella, lemongrass, tea tree oil, geranium, catnip, and eucalyptus.
Witch Hazel is another item that many of the recipes have, and it can be found at any drugstore.
DIY Bug Spray
DIY Bug Spray from Easy Green Mom
Materials
4 oz Spray Bottle preferably glass or metal because plastic will erode when it comes in contact with some essential oils.
3 oz Distilled Water (Fill 4 oz bottle 3/4 full)
1 Tbl Witch Hazel or vodka
1 tsp of carrier oil (coconut oil, vegetable glycerin or other oil)
30-40 Drops Various Essential Oils (see bug repellent oils below)
Directions:
- Fill 4oz bottle with water and the witch hazel into the spray bottle and shake. The witch hazel will help the essential oils to disperse evenly and not settle at the bottom.
- Add your Essential Oils (30-40 drops) and shake gently.
- Shake before each use.
- Reapply every 4-6 hours
Peppermint Spray
Peppermint Spray for Pest from Scratch Mommy
Materials:
Water
Vegetable Glycerin
Peppermint Essential Oil
Directions
- Add 20 drops of peppermint essential oil to your bottle.
- Add 1 T vegetable glycerin.
- Fill bottle (almost) to the top with water.
- Spray around doorways, windows, etc
Fruit Fly Trap
Passionate Homemaking offers some frugal and natural pest control.
Fruit Fly Trap
1 quart jar
1 piece of paper, rolled up into a funnel
tape
apple cider vinegar
small slice of banana
1. Fill a quart jar with a 1/2 inch of apple cider vinegar and a small piece of banana.
2. Roll up your paper into a funnel shape (larger at the top) and tape it in place.
3. Place the funnel into your jar and make sure all the edges are secured shut with tape.
4. Place the jar where the fruit flies are flying around and let it go to work.
Ant Trap
1 tsp. borax
2 cups hot water
6 Tbsp sugar
folded paper towel
small shallow cup
1. Disolve borax in hot water.
2. Stir in sugar.
3. Dip the folded paper towel, using tongs, in the solution till completely saturated with solution.
4. Cram the paper towel in the dish.
5. Place in location where you have seen the ants.
Another way to get rid of ants around the house is to use a damp sponge and apply 8 drops of either peppermint oil or citronella oil. Wipe areas where the ants travel in your kitchen to keep them away. What are some of your favorite way to get rid of bugs?
