A Magical Insect Repellent, You Prepare It at Home Without Spending Money
Never is the need for insect repellent more apparent than in summer. While nature is beautiful, having your house invaded by mosquitoes, midges, wasps, and other pests is far from pleasant. Additionally, ants, silverfish, and cockroaches can be problematic too. Summer often means keeping windows and balconies open more frequently, especially if you don’t have air conditioning. And if you don’t have mosquito nets installed, you need to keep insect repellents on hand at all times. Here you will find a convenient and practical recipe for preparing a do-it-yourself insect repellent, using ingredients that you surely already have at home.
Recipe for Homemade Insect Repellent
You’re right! many commercial insect repellents contain chemicals that can harm the environment and our health. Fortunately, it’s possible to prepare a natural insect repellent with ingredients that most of us probably already have at home. This homemade alternative not only helps keep bugs at bay but also adds a pleasant fragrance to the surroundings, which never hurts.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Cloves
- Coarse salt (the type used in dishwashers, for example)
- 1 teaspoon of 70% alcohol
- A few drops of fabric softener or essential oils (consider using citronella or lemon for their insect-repelling properties)
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, start by placing the coarse salt in a bowl (you don’t have to fill it completely, but almost). Next, add the alcohol and mix everything together. For a more pleasant scent, you can include a spoonful of laundry softener or a few drops of your preferred essential oil.
After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, sprinkle a spoonful of cloves on the surface. Place the bowl near entry points where insects might enter, but make sure it’s out of reach of dogs, cats, or children. Ingestion could lead to unwanted intoxication. Enjoy a bug-free and pleasantly scented summer with this homemade insect repellent!
