Summer is in full swing, and there's nothing that ruins outdoor time quicker than constantly being assaulted by mosquitos!
Here's some different options that not only check the nontoxic box, but actually work!
I also shared a bite remedy that we use when/if needed. That one works for all bug bites, not just mosquitos!
Why you should ditch the off
The active ingredient in one of the most popular mosquito repellants – Off – is DEET. The inactive ingredients include fragrance, 2, 4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, 2-phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, 2-t-butylcyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, butylphenyl methylpropional, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, cyclamen aldehyde, dipropylene glycol, ethyl -methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-acetate, ethyl 3-phenyloxirane-2-carboxylate, ethyl acetoacetate; gamma-undecalactone, hexamethylindanopyran, hexyl cinnamal, ionone, limonene, linalool, methyl dihydrojasmonate
How many of those ingredients can you actually recognize?
Furthermore, we’re using these harmful chemicals on our largest organ – our skin. And putting it on our children, who’s skin absorbs it even faster. To add insult to injury, we’re using propellants to apply it, which increases inhalation into the lungs.
Some information about deet:
DEET may have carcinogenic properties. It specifically stimulates endothelial cells that promote angiogenesis which increases tumor growth. Furthermore, large doses of DEET have been linked to skin blisters, seizures, memory loss, headaches, stiffness in the joints, shortness of breath, and skin irritation. It is also linked to neurotoxicity that may lead to physiological and behavioral problems, especially with motor skills, learning, and memory dysfunction. It has also been shown to cross the placenta: in animal studies, DEET was found in the fetus and in newborns up to three months old after exposing the mother to the chemical.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4921870/
https://today.duke.edu/2002/05/deet0502.html
Easy Homemade Spray
In a 4 oz bottle combine:
2 oz apple cider vinegar or witch hazel
2 oz boiled (and cooled) water (or distilled water)
Total of about 50 drops of any combination of oils with repelling qualities such as: geranium, lemongrass, citronella, litsea, peppermint, rosemary, cedarwood (this list is not exhaustive). I usually go heavy on the citronella.
Shake and go!
My favorite combo/ratio is:
20 drops citronella, 10 drops peppermint, 10 drops cedarwood, 10 drops lemongrass.
This would also work for ticks!
Nontoxic repellants for purchase:
Earthley PestAside (roll on) use code Purely10 for 10% off your first purchase
Yellowbird Insect repellent spray and stick
Greenerways Organic bug repellent spray (linked in my amazon shop under outside play)
Spartan mosquito eradicators
TerraShield spray from doTERRA
Bite Remedy:
In a 10 ml roller bottle, combine:
10 drops drop purify
10 drops lavender
Top with fractionated coconut oil or carrier oil of choice
Shake and apply to bites to relieve itching
(If all you have is lavender, just place 20 drops of that!)
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