I never had to use bug spray growing up, since I was a city girl, and city girls don't need bug spray. However, after having children and moving to a house with a heavily wooded yard, I found myself in dire need of some. The problem is, I refuse to use the chemical-laden kind available at the stores. So, in that case, what's a city-girl-turned-country-girl to do? MAKE HER OWN! I found a great recipe
on this website, and it has variations depending on the types of essential oils you have on hand. Due to it being a very rainy summer around here, the mosquitoes are breeding quite rapidly and plentifully. So, I doused myself with this bug spray just last night and went out to the woods at dusk. I couldn't believe it, but it actually worked! Not a single mosquito bite, despite the fact that I was practically in a swarm of them for at least a half hour. Give it a try! Next spring, I'm definitely going to make the more powerful Vinegar of the Four Thieves Insect Repellent variation.
This is what I used:
1/2 Cup boiled or distilled water
1/2-3/4 Cup witch hazel
30 drops lavender essential oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil
There are more variations of essential oils that you can use
here. Give it a try!