Ingredients
Citronella Oil
Lemongrass Oil
Geranium Oil®
Lavender Oil (optional)
Tea Tree Oil (optional)
Peppermint Oil (optional)
Cedarwood Oil (optional)
Witch Hazel, 355 mL bottle
Directions:
Pour the witch hazel into a larger glass jar and add your essential oils. Approximately 15 drops of both citronella and lemongrass, 10 drops of your optional oils, such as lavender. “Geranium is an optional oil for regular bug spray, however a must for ticks.
Close the jar tightly and shake well until it is all mixed. (mixture will be cloudy)
Pour into a spray bottle for use and label correctly.
Use on exposed body parts and rub in.
Don’t spray in your face or eyes. Spray on a small area first if concerned with allergies to an ingredients – especially children.
Also spray around the area where you are sitting outside.
Enjoy the outdoors in greater peace!
As per health Canada, repellants containing citronella may protect people against mosquito bites for 30 minutes to two hours. These products should not be used on infants and toddlers. In some parts of Canada, West Nile Virus may be carried by mosquitoes, while Lyme Disease may be carried by ticks. This formula is not recommended as a protection against the threat of contracting these conditions.
References:
Relative efficacy of various oils in repelling mosquitoes. Ansari MA, Razdan RK; Indian Journal of Malariology [01 Sep 1995, 32(3):104-111]
Bioactvity-guided investigation of geranium essential oils as natural tick repellents. Tabanca N, Wang M, Avonto C, Chittiboyina AG, Parcher JF, Carroll JF, Kramer M, Khan IA; J Agric Food Chem, 201 May 1; 61(17):4101-7.doi:10.1021/jf400246a. Epub 2013 Apr 22.
