If you enjoy spending time outside the house or leaving the windows open, you may find yourself covered in bites or attracting insects into your home. To keep them away, you can use a repellent. If you'd rather avoid commercially available products that contain chemicals, you can use a natural, lavender-based insect repellent. By creating a spray or using other products like scented sachets and candles, you can keep bugs away and enjoy the outdoors.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Create Lavender Repellents
Step 1. Make lavender soap
You can use lavender essential oil to make a soap. By washing yourself with that scent, the bugs won't attack you.
- Purchase neutral liquid castile soap and lavender essential oil, which you can find in supermarkets.
- Pour 10-15 drops of essential oil into the castile soap and mix well.
- Wash with soap every day or before going out.
Step 2. Pour a drop of lavender oil on the skin
Apply a small amount of lavender essential oil to your skin or that of your pet. That should be enough to keep the bugs away.
- Use a carrier oil to dilute the essential oil, which can irritate the skin. You can use sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, and sesame oil.
- Add 1-2 drops of essential oil to every 30ml of carrier oil. You can increase the doses if you can tolerate more of the essential oil on the skin.
- Alternatively, mix 10-25 drops of lavender essential oil with two tablespoons of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
- You can use this product as an alternative to moisturizers and soap.
- Pour a drop of solution on your pet's collar to keep ticks away.
Step 3. Try a mixture of lavender and apple cider vinegar
Combine lavender essential oil and apple cider vinegar in a container. Apply a small amount of the solution to your skin or clothing to keep bugs away.
Mix 25 drops of lavender essential oil with 60ml of apple cider vinegar. You can use water if the vinegar smell is too strong for you
Step 4. Purchase or prepare lavender bags or pillows
If you prefer not to apply products to the skin, you can use bags or pillows. They can help keep insects out of the areas you frequent.
- Make repellent bags or pillows by placing dried lavender in small burlap sacks or inside a pillowcase. You can buy dried lavender or dry plants you already own.
- In many health food stores, you will find pre-made lavender bags and pillows.
- Put bags in closets, drawers or even in your bedroom. In addition to keeping insects away, you will refresh the rooms with a good smell.
Step 5. Make a lavender spray
By spraying lavender on areas normally frequented by insects, such as your bedroom or porch furniture, you can keep these unwanted guests away and give those areas a pleasant scent. By mixing essential oils with distilled water in a spray bottle, you can apply your repellent quickly and easily.
- Pour 30-40 drops of lavender essential oil into 45ml of distilled water in a clean spray bottle. Use more drops if you want to get a stronger aroma.
- You can also make a spray with dried lavender. Boil 3-4 cups of distilled water and 3-4 tablespoons of dried lavender. Cool the solution and filter the plant. Pour it into a spray bottle and use it however you like.
- Spray the liquid wherever you want to keep bugs away. Make sure you don't get your blankets or clothes wet though.
Step 6. Rub some lavender flowers on your skin
You can do this before the shower, with some flowers you have at home or have bought. Insects shouldn't attack you.
Rub the flowers on the hottest parts of the body, such as the neck, armpits and the area behind the ears, from which the scent can spread more easily
Step 7. Plant lavender in your garden
If you have a garden in your home or even if you have a terrace in your apartment, plant some lavender. It will grow a beautiful plant that can keep insects away.
Step 8. Leave saucers filled with lavender oil in strategic places
With this method you can keep insects away from outdoor or indoor environments. Try it if you want to avoid applying products to the skin.
- Use 30-40 drops of lavender essential oil for every 45ml of distilled water you want to use.
- Fill the saucers with liquid and place them where unwanted insects are present.
Method 2 of 2: Other Natural Repellents
Step 1. Consider commercially available natural repellents
Many companies are increasingly offering products that do not contain chemicals. You can try one of these natural repellents, which are just as effective as the ones you can make with lavender.
- In herbal medicine you can find natural repellents without chemical, non-toxic and hypoallergenic agents.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which repellents are safer.
Step 2. Put on a repellent headband or pin device
Recent studies have shown that these products are effective in keeping bugs away from you.
- The bracelets allow you to always be protected within a radius of 30-60 cm. Clip devices can be attached to a belt or chair if you prefer not to have them on.
- Buy bracelets and clip devices at drugstores, supermarkets and health food stores.
Step 3. Burn a lemongrass candle
Studies have shown that these products can keep insects away. Light candles in areas where you spend time outdoors.
- Buy candles with a citronella concentration of 5-10%.
- Make sure the candle stays lit as long as you are outdoors or in an area where many insects are present, as the oils evaporate quickly and lose their protective effectiveness.
Step 4. Put on long sleeves and pants
If you will be spending time in an insect-infested area or if you will be outdoors for long periods, wear comfortable long shirts and pants. You will be protected from insect bites.
Wear thick clothes so that insects can't bite you through them
Step 5. Check your surroundings
Some environmental factors can keep insects away. From using fans to burying ponds, there are many things you can do to make the area around you less attractive to insects.
- Install window fans, ceiling fans, or portable fans in your home. Many insects cannot fly well in air currents.
- Eliminate pools of standing water in your garden, which can attract insects and encourage them to reproduce. You should empty the bird troughs and fill the water holes with soil.
Step 6. Avoid using electrocution devices and ultrasound devices
Studies have shown that almost all of these products don't work. In fact, they only eliminate insects that are beneficial to your garden ecosystem and birds.
Researchers have not conducted in-depth studies on insect traps that mimic a living animal or person. Also, they can be noisy because they are powered by a gasoline engine
Advice
You will need to reapply natural repellents on your skin often, especially if you go swimming
Warnings
- Beware of any contraindications associated with lavender essential oil.
- Avoid applying essential oil preparations to young children before consulting a doctor.
