Summer is in full swing. The long, hot, sunny days are perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, camping, swimming or even just lounging on the patio with a favorite book or magazine. Summer is by far my favorite season. Gardening, bicycling, picnicking and outdoor entertaining are enjoyable ways to spend hot, sunny days and balmy evenings. There is one thing that keeps my favorite time of year from being perfect. It’s the insects! The flies, mosquitoes, spiders, ants, etc., buzz, bite, sting and annoy us until we are about to go mad. Bugs can ruin even the most wonderful outdoor event. Fortunately there are natural essential oil blends to help keep insects away from your outdoor activities. There are many aromatic plants that naturally repel insects. The essential oils manufactured by these plants are often pleasant to smell while they keep bugs at bay. Most of these oils are non-toxic yet are highly effective against biting insects. Here are some ideas that may just keep your outdoor activities fun and free of these dreadful pests.

I had an altercation with a spider earlier this summer. Each morning I would wake up with itchy, inflamed bites that would persist for days and days. One of these eight-legged creatures was making a midnight snack of me on a nightly basis. Night after night it was crawling between my bed sheets to feast on my tender flesh. Enough was enough. Knowing that most spiders do not like eucalyptus, I decided to make a natural insect repellent of this essential oil. I figured that if I were to spray the linens with diluted eucalyptus, the arachnoids would stay away. It worked. To make a simple linen spray, combine 4 ounces of pure spring water and 2.5 ml. (or one half teaspoon if you don’t like metric) of eucalyptus essential oil in a four ounce glass pump spray bottle. Before each treatment to tents, bedding, clothing, etc., shake the bottle well to disperse the essential oil droplets well within the water. This makes quite a pungent spray that can be irritating to the eyes, so use caution when applying. Sprays can also be made of citronella, spike lavender, lemongrass, geranium, cedar wood and catnip essential oils since these have insect repelling properties as well. Try them alone or in combinations to make pleasant smelling yet effective bug chasers.

It’s easy to make your own lotions and oil blends to deter bugs. The essential oils mentioned above can be added to unscented carriers to be applied to the skin. Use approximately 24 to 27 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil or lotion. Unscented lotions, almond, olive and other vegetable oils can be used as carriers. Always combine the oils and carrier product well before use to avoid skin irritation.

If you are not inclined toward making your own aromatherapy products, there are many natural essential oil sprays, lotions and oils products available at your local natural/health food store. I found a wonderful product that is even effective against black flies. Among its ingredients are cedar wood, citronella, lemongrass and neem. Neem leaf oil is a wonderful product from East India and is known is a cure for everything over there. In Ayurvedic medicine, neem leaf is used as a powerful blood cleanser and antibacterial. For beautiful skin the East Indians have used leaf extracts and oil from the seed kernel of this fabulous plant. Neem oil is also a natural insect repellent. What better way to protect yourself from bugs and nourish and purify your skin at the same time?

In the summertime, I always carry with me another simple homemade essential oil remedy just in case I do get bitten. This simple aromatherapy blend helps to alleviate the itch and swelling of mosquito, spider and black fly bites. My homemade bug bite stick is always ready to the rescue. So easy to make, it’s simply equal parts of tea tree, lavender and peppermint essential oils. Measure 10 ml (approximately 4 teaspoons) of each essential oil in a one-third ounce glass bottle with a roller ball (for easy application). For this recipe, I do not dilute the essential oils in a carrier product for a more potent, spot application. Shake the bottle well to combine the three oils prior to each application. The minute you realize that you have been bitten, use this roll-on to treat the irritation and hasten healing. The tea tree essential oil kills bacteria and viruses, the peppermint cools the itch and inflammation and the lavender does its healing and soothing magic to the injured area. This remedy is easy to make and is quite inexpensive as well. I don’t go bicycling, hiking or engage in any other outdoor activities without it. As with all potent essential oils, wash your hands well after using to avoid eye contact.

Don’t allow bugs to ruin your outdoor activities. Stop being a magnet for aggravating insects. Ward off bugs the natural essential oil way. Natural insect repelling essential oils have pleasant aromas, are free of harsh chemicals and are safe to use. Whether you make your own or purchase convenient products from the health food store, don’t forget to pack your natural bug chasers. You will be glad that you did. Enjoy the splendor of summer!

Karen Stokes, RN Herbalist is a member of the American Botanical Council and the Michigan Holistic Nurses Association. (248) 515-9863, email karen.stokes@yahoo.com.