Natural Insect Repellents
Q. I heard that Rosemary can be used as a natural fly/mosquito
repellent.  Is that true, how do you apply it and how long does it
last?
A. There are many plants that have natural “bug repellent” properties. This is a built in natural defense mechanism for plants. It’s in their best interest to repel bugs, so they don’t get eaten. Several essential oils work well as bug repellents and do not have the negative effects of chemical bug sprays and lotions. The following is a simple formulation I like to use:
- 10 Drops Rosemary essential oil
- 10 Drops Tea Tree oil
- 4 ounces of distilled water
Combine in a spray bottle, shake thoroughly before application. Do not get this in you eyes. I typically apply this every couple of hours.
If you have already been bitten by a bug, you may want to try a drop or two of Tea Tree oil applied directly and rubbed in.
Some other popular bug repelling oils that may improve the smell and effectiveness of this formula include:
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus