Essential Oils to Repel Bugs
If you are anything like me, you will probably agree that bugs have no place in your home! From time to time we all get a visit from an ant or two……hundred! Or maybe you have issues with those pesky little fruit flies whenever you have fresh fruit around. I swear they know there is fruit coming before you even get home from the store, they are on standby ready to invade! Or maybe you are having issues with insects eating your plants in your yard. Or better yet, mosquito’s……… ugh and the dreaded mosquito bites! Well have no fear, I have a few tips and tricks for you to try!
Most of us know that essential oils are therapeutic fragrances that are extracted from plants. If you are familiar with gardening, you may already know some plants that are good to have in your garden because they help to keep your plants bug free or deter animals from eating your plants. If you didn’t know that was possible then this may help you or at least get your journey started. Here are a list of essential oils that will help keep the listed insects at bay.
Mosquitoes- Lemongrass, Citronella, Lavender
Ants- Spearmint, Peppermint oil
Gnats- Patchouli, Spearmint
Chiggers- Lemongrass, Lavender, Thyme, Sage
Ticks- Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme, Lavender
Spiders- Peppermint, SpearmintFleas- Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemongrass, LavenderFlies- Rosemary, Sage, Peppermint, Lavender, EucalyptusMoths- Hyssop, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Spearmint, CitronellaRoaches- Peppermint, Citronella
Beetles- Peppermint, Thyme
Okay. Now that we have a pretty decent list, let’s talk about the HOW! There are a couple methods and things you can try to get rid of those uninvited house guests. These are simple, not to obvious methods that will have you jumping for joy! Are you ready? Here we go. . . . Drop a couple drops of oil on a cotton ball and place it in the area(s) that you have seen the insect. Simple enough, right? Now for other areas like closets, just drop a few drops of the selected oils onto a damp paper towel and allow it to dry over a hanger or in a corner or on the hanger bar. It will dry and harden in position. I’ve even just taken the bottle of oil that I needed and dropped a few drops in the area! Now you are still probably wondering what to do about bugs outside. I don’t know about you, but I hate enjoying nature only to come home and find I have 20 mosquito bites all over my body. Not fun! Well I have a couple solutions for that too! If you are in your yard often and find that you get bit a lot then you should consider planting a few lemongrass plants around your yard or if you prefer, citronella or lavender. Not into gardening? Don’t worry, I’ve got another solution for you! You can use unscented lotion or Shea Butter or anything you apply on your skin, really. I prefer African Shea Butter as it also serves as a natura sun protectant. Works like a charm! So all you do is add the oil to the lotion or shea butter, mix it really well, and apply before going outside. I would take it with you to reapply as you sweat or get wet. You could also put a couple drops of oil on or in a diffuser necklace or other piece of jewelry. If you have any jewelry with lava balls, just adda few drops to the lava ball. Easy as that! As always, please be careful when using essential oils. Always remember not to use oils directly on your skin, always add to a carrier oil or something as a means to apply to your skin such as lotion or shea butter as we mentioned above..
Below are a couple suggested blends from Andrea Butje, LMT, Aromatherapy Educator, Founder of Aromahead Institute. Give them a try!
Don’t Bug Me! Lotion (2)
“Keep Bugs Out with Catnip” Diffuser Blend (3)
Put your lotion into the 2 oz (60 ml) glass jar. Then drop the essential oils right into it.
Attached are two refence sheets from One Essential Community. (4)
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