There are two basic schools of thought regarding bug bite protection.  Some people think that bugs are more or less attracted to people based on body composition, or how they metabolize certain foods, and therefore excrete particular odors that are either attractive or repulsive to mosquitoes. This is aside from the well-known fact that mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide in our breath.

B vitamins

One theory I read about recently caught my attention. Apparently some people have had luck with vitamin B1 supplements making them less prone to mosquito bites. This was particularly interesting to me because, for the past few months, I have been taking a natural B Complex supplement. And this summer, even camping next to a lake and spending time in my very shady and somewhat low back yard (in an historically wet season) I have had very few bites.  I’m talking maybe 3 or four total.  And the bites I received were very small, didn’t swell at all, and disappeared in a day or two.

B vitamins are inexpensive, help me manage stress AND seem to help repel mosquitoes. Apparently a double blind study showed that B1 supplementation had no effect on number of bites, but since I have had (at first unknowing) personal success from taking my B complex, I think I’ll keep taking them for now.

Essential Oils

Another theory is that making your skin smell bad or seem toxic to bugs will repel them once they’re close by or landed, even if they were initially attracted to you. This is where the commercial bug sprays, many containing harmful pesticides, come in.  I remember my daughter’s pediatrician telling me (when she was just a few months old) that I could use up to 10% DEET products safely on her. I remember nodding and saying okay, but on the inside I was thinking there was no way I was putting that chemical on my baby’s skin.

Anyway, while I didn’t know anything about essential oils at the time, now I use a simple spray of a few drops of oil mixed in water to help repel bugs on my family.  I can make it as mild or as strong as I need to, and know that it is safe and effective.

Mild Backyard Bug Spray Recipe

1 small spray bottle, about 5 oz.
filtered or distilled water, filled almost to top
about 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil
about 6 drops citronella essential oil
2 drops lemon essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil

Add oils to water, shake well, and apply.

A few notes:

You will need to shake the bottle before and during every application to mix the oils into the water; they will naturally rise to the top right away.

Also, I think it’s important to use organic essential oils if at all possible.  The highly concentrated nature of essential oils means that any pesticide residue on the originating plants makes it into the oil as well.

There are probably hundreds of variations on this recipe, many containing extra ingredients like glycerin or witch hazel, but my simple and cheap version works just fine for me and takes seconds to mix up.  I also take comfort knowing that if I misplace the bottle I’m not out much.

If you’re interested in getting into essential oils, I recommend the company Mountain Rose Herbs. Click here to use my affiliate link.  If you purchase your oils or other herbal products through this link I will receive a small commission from the sale. Any support is much appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

🙂 Elizabeth

For further reading, check out this article from Mercola.com.

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