Ah, summer. Time for BBQs, trips to the beach, and… itchy mosquito bites. It seems like mosquitos must love me since I’m usually the first one at the pool party swatting and scratching. Maybe it’s because I’m so sweet? Does anyone else have this problem?
Anyway, if you’re tired of those tiny vampires, it’s time to fight back. The first step is stopping them from biting you with a few simple ingredients. You’ll need a glass measuring cup, a 3-ounce squeeze bottle (you can find them in the travel supplies section of most drug stores), aloe vera, some essential oils and vegetable glycerin.
Mosquito Repellent Gel
For each 3oz container:
⅓ cup aloe vera gel
1T vegetable glycerin
2 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops lemongrass essential oil
1 drop citronella essential oil
Mix all the ingredients together and pour into the squeeze bottle. Apply a thin layer before going out into mosquito territory. It should last about 30 minutes before you have to reapply, or when you notice the scent fading. This also works well under clothing since their little needle-like appendages can get through fabric. Make a whole bunch of the gel and give it to your loved ones!
Alternatively, you can make a spray for even easier application. This recipe is so much better for your health and the environment since it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like DEET- a central nervous system toxin that causes a whole host of issues from headache and nausea to impaired brain function. Here’s a recipe for a safe and easy bug spray:
DIY Anti-Mosquito Spray
½ cup water
⅛ cup apple cider vinegar
10 drops citronella essential oil
10 drops of cinnamon leaf or lemon eucalyptus essential oil
A spray bottle
Add the ACV and essential oils to the spray bottle, and gently shake it. Pour in the water, shake again. Spray your clothes, shoes, skin and furniture to keep mosquitoes away!
Maybe you didn’t get to grab your DIY gel before heading out on that hike, or you ended up at an unexpected BBQ, and now you’ve got itchy, red bumps all over. It sucks, but there’s several ways to get relief.
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Make a paste with baking soda or aspirin, and water.
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Apply apple cider vinegar to the bite. Obviously.
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Place a slice of lemon or lime on it for a few minutes. Citric acid has itch-relieving properties
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Crush some fresh basil leaves and apply to the bite. The camphor and thymol in basil will provide relief.
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Mint works too, crush fresh leaves or apply essential oil for cooling relief.
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Dip a spoon or cloth in hot water and apply to the area until it tingles. Repeat this once or twice. The heat causes histamine in the skin to be released all at once, getting rid of the itch
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Rub an ice cube on the bite. If your skin is numb, it won’t itch!
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