Biting insects.
Mosquitoes.
Stinging bees.
Anti-bite solution.
Spring is here and summer is on it’s way.
My family is loving the warmer weather and we are all thrilled to be enjoying more time outdoors.
Gardening.
Hiking.
Camping.
We all know that with outside play and warmer weather…comes the signs of biting insects.
And insect repellent is a nice thing to have around.
Not the toxic, chemical laden ones.
The handmade, all-natural, eco-friendly ones.
I’ve shared my recipe with you for an all-natural bug repellent spray. But this year I wanted to try making a bug repellent salve. I like the spray for coverage…but the salve I thought would be super handy for the face, neck, and hard-to-reach areas.
results=amazing
Bug Repellent Salve Recipe
Ingredients
-8 ounces olive, coconut, sweet almond, jojoba, or sesame oil (or a blend of any of these oils)
-1-2 ounces beeswax
-0.4 ounces citronella essential oils
-0.2 ounces eucalyptus essential oils
-0.2 ounces lemongrass essential oils
-0.2 ounces cedarwood essential oils
Method
- Measure the oils and beeswax using a kitchen scale. ***Use 1-2 ounces of beeswax (depending on how thick you’d like your salve). I suggest starting with the lesser amount of wax and adding more if needed. To check if the mixture is the right consistency, because the salve hardens as it cools, Rosemary Gladstar again suggests placing a “tablespoon of the mixture in the freezer for just a minute or two. If it’s soft, add more beeswax; if too hard, add more oil.”***
- In a double boiler, or small pot, over very low heat slowly melt the oils and beeswax (Note: Do NOT include the essential oils at this time).
- Once melted remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding the essential oils.
- Pour mixture into several roll-up tubes, glass containers, tins, or lip balm tubes (smaller mason jars work well too)and allow it to cool on the counter overnight.
- Label with the name, ingredients, and date of creation.
- Salve will keep for 2-5 years depending on quality of oils used.
To use: Roll over skin prior to gardening, working in the yard, hiking, biking, enjoying a sunset or anything that requires being in the great outdoors. Apply generously and as often as needed for protection from biting insects.
Note
-Searching for an “After-Bite Balm”…I have also shared my recipe for an Anti-Itch Stick…one that gives the over-the-counter antihistamine a serious run for it’s money!
Where Can I Get This Stuff?
–Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need for this remedy! I LOVE the quality of their oils and essential oils. It’s your one-stop-shop!
–The Bulk Herb Store also carries a few of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.
–From Nature With Love likewise carries a HUGE selection of high-quality raw materials.
Hi.
Do you think peppermint and lavender would be good EO’s to use as well? Would the citronella be ok to use on my 7 month old?
Hi Andrea,
Great recipe! Could you tell me how you measure the essential oils? I have always done it by drops.
thanks!!!
Hi Andrea,
Please tell us how to measure by t. Thank you for all the great information you so graciously
share with us..
Do you know does this work for no-see-ums? I think they also go by the name sand gnats.
Wax myrtle leaves crushed and rubbed on skin work.Also rosemary and lavendar.We reenact in coastal marsh areas and it really works.
I make an all natural “Bug Juice” we spray it on our screens to keep no-see-ums out of the house. We also use it on us and all animals on the farm.
Thanks for the recipe! This is fantastic. Agree with other posters above, though. Could you please provide an estimate in teaspoons or drops to the essential oils?
Thanks!!
This looks nice. Do you have yarrow around? Just rub the leaves and/or flowers on your skin or even wear the flowers around your ears, tucked in your hat, etc. the oils in the yarrow repel Mosquitoes. Learned from a Native Alaskan
We spend a lot of time outside and this balm would be a life saver, is it ok to use it for a newborn?
http://dcinstyle.com/
it’s all edible food ingredients. Yes you can use it on a baby….
One time I had purchased a bath and body product from the Elaria line that was Manderine/Ginger scented. When I was in Iraq there was an area that was Knat-infested. I remember one day I had used this lotion and while walking through that area about 4-5 people had walked through there just before me (in a line one at a time) and every single one of them ended up swing their arms and cussing (lol) when I walked through there…….nothing. I always assumed it was the scent of the lotion. But I have yet to find any bug recipe with either of these ingredients. Do you know of one? Because I always loved the smell. But it was one of those limited edition scents and you can’t get it any more.
Will this work against tics?
If I wanted to turn this into a spray, how do you think it would work best? I’m thinking of spraying in the environment, on shoes/clothes, etc.
Is your salve effective against tics???
I’ve been using a deet spray on my boots, hat and pants before going out for a walk in the woods, and so far so good; but would much prefer not using such.
I’ve been making my own Outdoor Herbal Protector Salve for many years. I use herbal extracts of pennyroyal, lemongrass, eucalyptus and catnip. Then I add small amounts of essential oils with the coconut oil, Shea and coconut butters, beeswax. This year I decided to add zinc oxide to make it sunscreen protective . I found that citrus essential oils like lemon, lime, orange are photo- toxic. Some sources indicates cedar wood is also in this category. So you might want to check it out for your formula. You might want to use herbal extracts instead of E Os,
Where do you find all of these items for the salve
I’ve done the math and 0.2 oz of essential oil = 120 drops, therefore 0.4 oz = 240 drops.
If you want to think of it another way…
1 tsp = 5 ml = 100 drops AND 3 tsp = 1 TBS = 15 ml = 1/2 oz = 300 drops.
I think I will do 1 tsp + 20 drops of essential oil for the 0.2 oz as this will be easiest to measure.
Neem oil works to repell ticks and just about every other insect that bothers one . I would highly recommend that before anyone uses your formula or any other with essential oils, ESPECIALLY ON BABIES, they conduct a patch skin test 48 hours in advance.