The weather is wonderful and we all want to spend lots of time outdoors in nature with the birds, bees and butterflies. But, there is something else, it's the darn ticks! Tick season is a long one. In Michigan, it begins in May and last through November. That's one half of the entire year!

More to come.....

Here in Michigan we  know the mosquito, all too well! And, if you are like us, prefer to avoid toxic repellents. Fortunately, a number of essential oils have been proven to be effective in repelling mosquitoes!

Any one essential oil may contain hundreds to thousands of compounds known to repel insects, due to plants natural defense mechanism against insects. Some of these very compounds are specifically effective repellents to mosquitoes!

According to one study the five most effective oils against mosquitoes were those of Litsea (Litsea cubeba), Cajeput (Melaleuca leucadendron), Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Violet (Viola odorata), and Catnip (Nepeta cataria).  Repellency Effect Of 41 Different Essential Oils
 


Here are two DIY mosquito sprays to try!

WATER- BASED REPELLENT SPRAY                                               OIL- BASED REPELLENT
Into a spray bottle, use four ounces                                     Using 8 ounces of an organic carrier oil,
of witch hazel and/or distilled water as a                            add 40 to 50 drops of essential oil of your
base. Add 10 drops of your main                                            choice.       Apply to skin as needed
essential oil, along with a few drops of
any other desired oils. Add 1/4 tsp.
vanillin. Apply as needed