“Summer is a season when everybody is engaging in backyard barbeques, long trips and beach trips, enjoying the warm and sunny weather and plunging into the cool and pampering waters of the ocean.”
It is a season where people spend so much time outside. Thus, the amazing outdoors have inhabitants that we all want to stray away from, or we want them to stray away from us. Bugs. Bugs and insects are one of the few that might ruin our fun. They may cause irritations, allergies, and just in general cut short our summer vacation or will spend so much time staying away from them. Hence, we resort to some chemical sprays to get rid of these creatures but what we also need to consider, there are other ways to repel bugs and insects using homemade oils we can find in our kitchen.
If you are planning on your next summer vacay, here are some homemade oil essentials you need to include in your checklist:
Citronella
Citronella can be extracted from the leaves and stems of lemongrass. Citronella is a registered plant-based insect repellant for over 5 decades. It is known that insects repel due to a pungent scent. Citronella effectively works by masking other scents that typically attracts bugs. Thus, citronella makes it hard for insects and bugs to locate that sweet and fruity targets.
Citronella is very efficient in deterring mosquitoes, fleas, and other common insects found in Australia. In some instances, citronella extracts are mixed with wax to make candles. This is also another effective in keeping away bugs from your vicinity.
Lavender
Lavender is known as a calming and relaxing substance that helps many gains a good night rest or a complete calming state. Other than that, lavender is sprayed from an atomiser or placed in a saucer to keep aways ants and other insects. Also, it helps prevent bug bites and mosquito bites. Lavender is a great option to add with bug repellant mixture. Aside from its ability to provide protection against unwanted bites, it will also extend a soothing scent.
Lemon Eucalyptus
Lemon Eucalyptus is 85% citronella extract. The lemon eucalyptus oil contains a powerful ingredient (p-menthane-3,8-diol or PMD) that is very effective in long-acting mosquito repellant. PMD relays protection for ticks. PMD is widely known to be a safe plant-based repellant and approved for public use.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass oil has a robust citrus scent used for many other medical conditions such as stomachaches, arthritis, and other ailments due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Lemongrass extracts are completely diluted and only 1% is required to be mixed with another repellant to work efficiently. Lemongrass is safe for both humans and animals. It is an excellent repellant against mosquitoes that might carry some malignant diseases.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil has a pungent tingly scent ideal for repelling various kinds of bugs and insects. Peppermint has an active ingredient (p-Menthane-3,8-diol) that is very effective as a bug repellant. Also, it can provide lasting mosquito protection for up to 150 minutes. Additionally, flying insects can be eradicated by spraying peppermint in the atmosphere. It is as easy as combining 4 to 5 drops of peppermint oil with ¼ cup of water in a spray bottle. For crawling animals, however, put a few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton swab or ball then place it in areas where spiders, ants, and ticks commonly reside in your home.
Thyme
Thyme has five insect-fighting properties: monoterpenes, linalool, alpha-terpinene, p-cymene, and thymol. Thyme is usually applied on the skin to act as a repellant to deter mosquitoes. It is very efficient in combatting household mosquitoes and also a highly effective insecticide against houseflies.
Essential oils are plant-based substances that can help an individual stray away from unwanted creatures. Add one or two of these to your checklist and you are for sure will have more fun than being cautious on your next summer vacation.
