And this is for the pests | Arthritis Information

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You can make natural insect repellent yourself. The insect repellent is safe and effective, plus it costs much less to make it than to buy it.

Natural Insect Repellent Safety

There are a few different formulations you can make for your natural insect repellent. These repellents involve diluting essential oils that the insects find distasteful or which confuses them. The oils don't mix with water, so you'll need to add them to other oils or to alcohol. It's important to use an oil or alcohol that is safe for your skin. Also, don't go overboard with the essential oils. The oils are potent and could cause skin irritation or another reaction if you use too much. If you are pregnant or nursing, do not apply an insect repellent, natural or otherwise, until after you've gotten it cleared by your physician.

Natural Insect Repellent Ingredients

Different insects are repelled by different chemicals, so you'll get a more effective repellent if you combine a few different insect-repelling natural oils. If you are making large amounts of insect repellent, a good rule of thumb is to mix the repellent so it's 5-10% essential oil, so mix 1 part essential oil with 10-20 parts carrier oil or alcohol. For a smaller batch use: The essential oils that work well against biting insects (mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas) are: Safe carrier oils and alcohols include:

Natural Insect Repellent Recipe

Mix the essential oil with the carrier oil or alcohol. Rub or spray the natural insect repellent onto skin or clothing, using care to avoid the sensitive eye area. You'll need to re-apply the natural product after about an hour or after swimming or exercise. Unused natural insect repellent may be stored in a dark bottle, away from heat or sunlight. If you wish, you may combine the oil with aloe vera gel to change the consistency of the product.
zSbL=3;zSB(2);zSbL=0Hi Lev, I was surprised to see this posted.  I'm a certified aromatherapist and make my bug oil out of citronella, eucalyptus and rose geranium.  It has been one of my biggest selling mixes.  It truly works.  The only place it didn't work was in Mexico and I haven't figured out why, so I just used what the locals used which wasn't Deet.  LindyI find this all very interesting. Thanks

LinB,

Wow, that's cool and I'm immpressed. So, the reason I found these recipes on the www is because I spend a lot of time in preserves, woods and now a 100s acre marshland. The marshland is so cool. Much of the paths are stillted on wooden deck wood with railings that go aver the lakes and marshes. Of course much of it is also just paths. None the less, my big problem with these areas of my enjoyment? Biting flys. Yellow flys and black flys. They are relentless and vicious. I refuse to wear OFF or the other deet repelants and so want to make my own. So, I was going to make it with citronella and cinnamon but haven't decided on an oil or alchohol. Your suggestion(s) will be appreciated. Do you think that I should use a different recipe? I do have some problem with mosquitoes but mainly, biting flys. Do you think that the amounts are right? I hope you see this. I posted it here instead of in pm in case any one else is interested. Seems like many would find this of interest. Thanks in advance.
 
LEV
 
Lev, I love the marshes also, so diverse.  I've never made or researched the oils and recipes for biting flys!!!!!  When I thought about it I'm not sure anything short of armor would work.  Nothing repels flys that I know of.  I'll do a little research and if I find a blend that might work I'll let you know.  If you make your own please be sure that you purchase essential oils.   Don't skimp on the the cost of the oils because if you do, then you aren't getting a high quality essential oil or even an essential oil.  LindyLin,
 
What should I mix the oils with?
 
LEV
I use an oil called turkey red oil and I buy it by the gallons.  You can use almond, jojoba, or even a vegetable oil.  For your purposes try blending with an organic vegetable oil.  Let me know how it does.  I'm still researching for you but think I'm done for the night.  Lindy Lev, I just went back through some of my old recipes and I did an oil ages ago for flys and I used turkey red oil because the essential oils disperse easier in this oil than other oils, citronella, eucalyptus and basil essential oils.  I don't have any notes in the margin on how well it worked.  I made the blend for a group of birders who spent a 3 day weekend in the marshes.  Must have worked well because they came back and I sold 37 vials total of the blend!!!  Lindy my only experiences with biting flies has been on the bay side (somewhat marshy), boats, and the beaches of NJ..   (eta: green head and black flies)
 
and we all swear by the Skin So Soft products by Avon..
 
I know you want to make your own.. but I use this on the beaches and on the bays and never have a fly tried to bite..
 
Good luck.
babs102010-06-16 08:19:46Thanks Lin and Babs. I hope to get the essential oils soon and mix it up and try it. These vicious "biting" flys are making my enjoyment miserable. I love this time of year. Every new outing brings new sprouts and new and different flowers. Anyway, thanks for the input to you both and will let yous know how the recipe works. Lin, if it doesn't work I'll send you the receipts and you can just reimburse me. Thanks.
 
Oh Lin, what ratio for the oils if you please?
 
LEV
Lev, I can't guarantee or promise you that it will work.  I just know that my blend worked here in Nevada and in California but it didn't work in Mexico.  I use a 10 to 1 blend.  I use a marked dropper and use 10 drops of my base oil and 1 drop of essential oil.  EO are very powerful substances and should be used sparingly and with caution.  A little goes a long way.  Let me know how it works.  LindyGood post!  I am always on the look out for less exposure to toxic stuff!  I hope the fly repellent works well for you! 

Lindy, do you know of anything to deter beetles in the garden?  I use an oil soap spray I make myself but it seems to work best on soft body bugs and if I mix it any stronger it burns the plants.  I thought there might be a repellent type thing rather than a killing spray that would damage my plants.  I'll do some research Waddie but I have a feeling that hard shelled insects are just about immune to essential oils but I'll do a check.  If they don't eat the plants I'd leave them.  If they're destructive try picking them off your plants and disposing of them in another manner.  I used to pick them off and carry them out to an empty field.  I'd do this daily for awhile and it always seemed to work, at least for awhile.   Lindy
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