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It’s time once again to battle the bugs. With West Nile factored into the equation these days, bug protection is more important than it used to be.

It’s really quite easy to make your own Bug Repellent, a lot cheaper, and many prefer an alternative option to Deet and other synthetic chemicals.

There are quite a few options you can use as a base for your Bug Repellent. You can keep it really simple and use water in a spray bottle. It’s very important if you are not using solubilizer (something to blend the essential oils into the water) that you shake well before every use, otherwise the oils may be unevenly distributed and may cause a reaction or sensitization.

I’ve been using a small slice of plain old handmade soap as my solubilizer, it seems to be working fine – with the exception of neem oil, that gave me a *blob*. I do still give it a shake before I use it.

You can also use floral water for an added punch or either of the above with a bit of Witch Hazel or alcohol to help preserve the blend, although in my experience it has not been necessary. Some people find that witch hazel will also help soothe and relieve itching. Some people are sensitive to it though, I would use it as a small proportion until you find something you are comfortable with.

You can also add it to an unscented lotion base, make a lotion bar or add it to any oil. A stable vegetable oil such as Jojoba or Fractionated Coconut is a good choice. (I also used some Hemp Seed Oil with clove, it was an interesting scent and seemed to work quite well. If you are using clove, be sure to use a small amount and keep your essential oil well away from children, it will burn any skin or mucous membrane that it comes in contact with if it is undiluted or diluted to strongly. If using hemp be sure to include an anti oxidant such as Vitamin E and/or keep refridgerated as Hemp Seed is a fragile oil.)

Fractionated Coconut Oil can be used in a spray bottle for use on the skin.

Generally, oil or any of the thicker bases seem to hold the essential oils the longest. I like the spray because I can spray my clothes and hair and it isn’t so messy. It is actually refreshing. But when the bugs are thick, I have been using combo of both and it seems to be working nicely. I do find I need to spray quite often if they are quite bad and I’m gardening, but it’s not a big deal, it’s quite pleasant actually.

DILUTION RATE

It seems to be the main concensus that the best dilution rate ranges between 1.5% – 2.5%, you can go to 5% when bugs are really out of control and you must be out in them.

I have been going with a higher rate in my spray bottle with floral waters since I use it mostly on my clothes and hair or over the oils and using a smaller percentage in my oil base.

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