Thrifty Tip – Natural Mosquito Repellant

Since moving to a warmer climate (Chicago to Austin), my husband and I spend quite a bit of time outdoors. We had a rainy spring (and start to summer) so the mosquitoes are out with a vengeance and we use bug spray quite liberally.

Good grief is that stuff expensive!

So, I did a little digging and came up with some natural mosquito repellents that are budget friendly, smell much nicer than OFF, and even have some added health benefits!

• Essential oils such as cinnamon, lemon eucalyptus, citronella, and castor are natural bug repellants. Add 10-25 drops of essential oil to two tablespoons of carrier oils (such as olive, sunflower, or other cooking oils) or alcohol (like witch hazel of vodka) and spritz!
• Ingesting garlic (especially for prolonged periods) can make you naturally bug repellent! My husband used to take garlic pills while in the army for just this purpose!
• Get your daily dose of Vitamin B1 (aka thiamine) and not only will your hair, skin, and eyes thank you, you’ll also be free from mosquito bites!
• If you spend a lot of time on your patio, make sure to plant flowers and foliage that keep away bugs. Geraniums, Marigolds, Rosemary, Citronella grass, and Catnip all contain oils that keep mosquitoes at bay.
• Equal parts pure vanilla extract and water in a squirt bottle also makes a great insect repellent. Just make sure you’re not wearing a white shirt!
• If you don’t mind reliving your childhood, Vicks Vapor Rub makes an excellent mosquito repellent thanks to it’s eucalyptus oil!
• I’ve seen several mentions of combining baby shampoo and beer and applying to your lawn and shrubs with a hose-end sprayer. Definitely worth a try!

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