Living in Minnesota means living with mosquitoes. There is a standing joke that the mosquito is our state bird.
Enjoying the sunshine and warmth of summer can be challenging because of these itch-causing pests.
I know several people who have an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. The reaction can be much more severe than just an itchy bump. Swelling, redness, and fever at the bite site are just a few of the symptoms that can occur.
Not everyone is on board with commercial sprays that contain DEET. I am one of those people.
I have shrubs in my backyard, and they harbor mosquitoes. Before I understood what was in the commercial sprays, I thought I would be smart and spray the shrubs with mosquito repellent. This was a huge mistake. The shrubs withered and died back for that summer. Thankfully, they came back the next spring, but have never been as full and vibrant as they once were.
I also never liked the idea of breathing in the fumes from the sprays, so I did some research to find a better, more natural way to protect myself.
Here is a rollerball essential oil recipe that works for me; hopefully, it can help you avoid the itch-causing pesky bugs.
Ingredients:
- 10 drops Cedarwood essential oil (a classic mosquito repellent)
- 8 drops Lemongrass essential oil (repels insects and smells refreshing)
- 6 drops Eucalyptus essential oil (effective against mosquitoes and other bugs)
- 5 drops Lavender essential oil (soothes skin and adds a calming scent)
- 5 drops Peppermint essential oil (repels insects and cools the skin)
- Carrier oil (e.g., fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil) to fill the rest of the 10ml bottle
- Instructions:
- Add the essential oil drops directly into your empty 10ml roller bottle.
- Fill the remainder of the bottle with your chosen carrier oil, leaving a little space at the top to avoid overflow when inserting the roller ball.
- Secure the roller ball top and cap, then gently shake the bottle to mix the oils thoroughly.
- Apply to exposed skin (wrists, ankles, neck, etc.) before heading outdoors. Reapply every 2-3 hours or as needed.
Notes:
- Test a small patch of skin first to ensure you don’t have a sensitivity to any of the oils.
- Avoid applying near the eyes or mucous membranes.
- This blend is safe for most adults, but for kids under 6 or pregnant women, consult a professional to adjust the dilution or oils used.