Make Your Own Bug Repellent Spray
Here’s what you need:
750ml of vodka (1 average-sized bottle)
1 ounce dried catnip
a fine strainer and cheesecloth or a french press coffee maker
catnip oil
lavendar oil
quart-sized mason jar with lid
several small spray bottles
1 week’s time
Place the dried catnip into your mason jar and pour vodka straight in. Fasten your lid and shake the jar to distribute the herb through the vodka. The alcohol pulls out many healing constituents out of the dried herb and acts as a preservative for your solution. Let this mixture sit in a cool, dry place for 1 week.
After your herbs have steeped for a week, it’s time to strain off your tincture. I used a french press coffee maker, but you can use a fine strainer and cheesecloth too. Squeeze as much of the liquid out as possible and discard your herbs.
Add 30 drops of catnip oil and 20 drops of lavender oil to your tincture. Fasten lid and gently shake to mix.
Pour your bug repellent into your spray bottles and enjoy!
If you aren’t able to find catnip oil or are just curious which other oils will repel insects, here are a few others to try:
- lemon eucalyptus
- citronella
- neem
- rose geranium
- lemongrass
- cedar
- pine
Are you dealing with biting insects this summer? How do you keep the bugs away? Share with us in the comments your tips and tricks!
