After-Bite Remedies & Repellents

Camping season has been in FULL FORCE for my family and I so I’ve been stocking up on a few essentials.

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have seen a few camping items that I looove to have on hand. Some of these items are my after-sun spray and rollers, zinc/sunscreen, supplements and of course a few essential oils!

Today I’m focusing on the bugs. Mosquitos, Ants, Bees, Ticks, Spiders, Scary Flying Things.. you name it, I’ve (hopefully) got you covered on how to repel when possible and how to recover when it’s not.

I use only ingredients that I trust and feel safe to use around children and animals with as little harm to our planet as possible. DoTERRA is the only brand I feel safe to use even with animals/children however, some essential oils may cause sensitivities or reactions and may be unsafe. Always use caution, ask questions and use small amounts when starting. I avoid any products with additives/fillers, perfume/fragrances and just unnecessary ingredients. I try to keep it as simple and straight forward as possible!

And remember, always use a carrier (such as oil, witch hazel, salts, ACV, etc.) when working with essential oils and ALWAYS dilute when learning or if using with children/animals!

Enjoy and reach out with any questions or if you would like a free sample!

PEST REPELENT REMEDIES

Ideally, planting a variety of herbs in your garden can often act as a natural repellent to help protect your garden from unwanted pests. These awesome herbs can also protect you, too! Using a cotton ball or something of similar nature, add 2 drops of essential oil and tuck near nests, burrows, holes or area of concern.

• • Ants: peppermint, spearmint, geranium
  • Aphids: cedarwood, peppermint, spearmint
  • Beetles: peppermint, thyme
  • Caterpillars: peppermint, spearmint
  • Chiggers: lavender, lemongrass, sage, thyme, citronella
  • Fleas: peppermint, spearmint, lemongrass, lavender, citronella, geranium
  • Flies: peppermint, lavender, rosemary, sage, citronella, geranium
  • Gnats: spearmint, patchouli, geranium
  • Lice: cedarwood, peppermint, spearmint, geranium
  • Mosquitoes: lavender, lemongrass, citronella, geranium
  • Moths: cedarwood, peppermint, spearmint, lavender
  • Plant Lice: peppermint, spearmint
  • Slugs: cedarwood
  • Snails: cedarwood, patchouli
  • Spiders: peppermint, spearmint
  • Ticks: lavender, lemongrass, sage, thyme, citronella, geranium
  • Wasps: peppermint, lemongrass, clove, geranium
  • Weevils: cedarwood, patchouli, sandalwood

BUG/INSECT REPELLENT SPRAY

Using a blend of your favourite essential oils, add a total of 10-20 drops to a small spray bottle with 1 – 2 tsp witch hazel, topped up with distilled water.

• • Cedarwood
  • Peppermint/ Spearmint
  • Citronella/ Lemongrass/ Lemon/ Eucalyptus
  • Thyme/ Sage/ Rosemary
  • Geranium/ Patchouli/ Lavender
  • Purify/ Terrashield

FLEA REPELLENT

Mix ingredients together in a bowl and add to a spray bottle. Spritz on/around your pets bed or areas of concern. Avoid direct contact onto skin and always be cautious with spritzing too much on or near your pet incase they try to lick it. To avoid your pet ingesting anything, you can soak the leash, collar or any other items that may be near you/your pet when out in nature and let them dry before using. Use during warmer months or a few times throughout the year.

• • 1 – 2 drops Cedarwood
  • 1 – 2 drops Lavender
  • 1 – 2 drops Lemon
  • 1 – 2 drops Thyme
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Witch Hazel
  • Top up with clean water (if necessary)

AFTER-BITE REMEDIES

• • Copaiba: Anti-inflammatory, wound healing and calming. Essential for fungal/ bacterial/ viral infections, nervous system regulation, pain/ inflammation, anxiety, blisters/ bites/ burns/ bruising/ and sprains.
  • Lavender: Regenerating, soothing and healing. Essential for: anxiety, sunburns/ burns/ wounds, allergies/ natural antihistamine, inflammation, cuts/ wounds/ blisters/ bites/ and hives.
  • Peppermint/Spearmint: Cooling, invigorating and relieving. Essential for: reduction of swelling, stress/ nervous issues, sores/ burns/ scars, allergies and hives.
  • Frankincense: The King of Oils and ultimate wound healer. Essential for: cancer/tumors, trauma, injury/ wound healing/ scars/ cellular health, immune system support, warts, allergies, irritation/ itching/ scratching and emotional balance.
  • Lemon: Cleansing, uplifting and refreshing. Essential for: pH issues and lymphatic cleansing, immune system support, wound healing, allergies and helps kill/reduce bacteria, viruses and inflammation.
  • Tea Tree: Disinfecting, powerful and antibacterial. Essential for: allll cuts/ wound healing!, topical skin issues, infections/ bacteria/ viruses, shock, immune support, hives/ rashes/ itching/ sores/ irritations and emotional balance.
  • On Guard: Supportive, warming and healing. Essential for: immune system support, germs/ bacteria/ airborne pathogens/ viruses/ infections, antiseptic, fungus/ parasites/ warts and sores.
  • Witch Hazel: A popular astringent and antioxidant. Witch Hazel is actually a shrub that has been used for centuries as a natural topical remedy. Due to it  feeling, tasting and looking almost identical to water, it is a great at-home or on-the-go disinfectant to have in your first aid tool kit. Because Witch Hazel actually helps to prevent dehydration (as well as helping with reducing swelling, irritations and inflammation) it’s an awesome alternative to rubbing alcohol- which is why you’ll see Witch Hazel instead in almost all of my recipes. Due to its gentle and approachable nature, it is generally safe to use with children/pets and won’t hurt if any wounds are already open. It can also help with: itching, pain/swelling (inflammation), skin injury/irritations, mucous membrane inflammation, varicose veins, bruises, insect bites, minor burns and so much more.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Antibacterial, Anti-fungal, Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory. ACV can be used topically to help assist in the cleansing, treating and repairing of skin issues. Due to the acetic acid in ACV, it may help to reduce, repair or lighten pigmentation (ex: lightening dark spots, past skin scarring, etc.). ACV acts as a safe carrier to use with essential oils however, due to the high acidity I always suggest diluting- both when used externally and internally!
  • Carrier Oil of choice: Use your favourite carrier oil or research what oils may be more appropriate for your skin type. Some options could be: Coconut, Jojoba, Apricot kernel, Sweet almond, Olive, Argan, Rosehip, Black seed, Grape seed, Avocado or Sesame.

AFTER-BITE RECIPES

Option 1: Add essential oils of choice for a total of 10-20 drops to a roller or small spray bottle and top up with remaining ingredients.

• • Copaiba
  • Lavender
  • Peppermint or Spearmint
  • Frankincense
  • Lemon
  • Tea Tree
  • On Guard
  • 1 – 2 tsp Witch Hazel
  • Top up with ACV, distilled water and/or carrier oil of choice

Option 2: Add all ingredients to a small spray bottle or lotion.

• • 5 – 10 drops On Guard
  • 5 – 10 drops Tea Tree
  • 5 – 10 drops Copaiba, Lavender or Frankincense
  • 1 – 2 tsp Witch Hazel
  • Top up with ACV, distilled water and/or carrier oil of choice

Option 3: Add all ingredients to a small roller.

• • 5 drops Peppermint or Spearmint
  • 5 drops Tea Tree
  • 5 drops Lavender
  • 5 drops Lemon
  • 1 tsp Witch Hazel
  • Top up with ACV, distilled water and/or carrier oil of choice

Option 4: Combine all ingredients into a mason jar and melt using a double boiler method. Once melted and combined, pour into desired container or leave in mason jar to cool. Can be stored at room temperature or kept in the fridge during warmer months.

• • 1 cup infused oil of choice (I like to use a CBD infused olive oil,  calendula infused almond oil or a blend of different oils)
  • 1/4 cup beeswax
  • 1/4 cup cacao or shea butter (you could use coconut oil but you may want to use a bit less of the other oil)
  • 10 – 20 drops essential oils of choice
  • *optional* add in 1-2 tbsp pine resin or castor oil for added benefits and healing properties

COMING SOON

Don’t have the materials to make these or looking for items that are already pre-made? I’ll be adding an online shop to my website soon! Contact me to get a pre-order of any: rollers, sprays and/or salves.

 

With love,
Heidi MacAulay
“Eat more plants. Do more yoga. Read more books.”