i really don’t like to use harsh chemicals, but let’s be honest, the “green” version of things are often more expensive and don’t always work.
but i keep on trying. sometimes i hit on things that work, like my reed diffuser.
a while ago, i read that lemongrass and peppermint are deterrents to many insects. i mixed 40 drops of each essential oil in 200 mL of water in a spray bottle. i’ve sprayed around our windows, doors, and the lattice on the deck which for some reason seems to attract all sorts of wasps.
the down side:
* essential oils are somewhat expensive. about $8 for each bottle above.
* you need to reapply after each rainfall
the up side:
* despite the price, a little goes a long way
* it smells good… a lot like burt’s bees bug spray, and i’m assuming they use similar essential oils
* i know what’s in it and i’m ok with what’s in it (see note below). this is a big plus for me.
does it work? it seems to. my yard is hardly a controlled test environment, but i’ve noticed fewer winged critters buzzing about me after i spray this mixture. i realize that it could be coincidence or a particularly less buggy year.
note: although peppermint and lemongrass oils are used in such small amounts here and are derived from natural sources, they are still chemicals and should be kept out of reach of children and pets. peppermint oil is also combustible, so keep it away from open flames (the bbq, for example) and can irritate the eyes… so um, don’t spray it in your eyes. follow the manufacturer’s directions of use.
now that i’ve sucked all the fun out of this and cleared myself of liability ;-) … if anyone tries this, let me know how it works out for you. any other suggestions for natural bug repellants?
