Welcome to Local Hippie’s weekly tip for living a greener life! Each week we will provide you with a quick tip to help you reduce your carbon footprint and change the world.
As much as I love the budding trees and seas of green in my backyard, I do NOT love the black flies that come along with them. Working in my garden has been almost impossible and not to mention, very itchy! I’ve been testing out some options for natural bug repellent and here’s what I’ve found:
– To no surprise – I’ve found citronella essential oil to be quite effective. I combine about 5-10 drops with coconut oil and rub it on all exposed skin. Smells delicious too!
– If you have a spray bottle on hand, try mixing 30 drops citronella oil, 20 drops lemon eucalyptus oil, 20 drops lavender oil, 10 drops rosemary oil, 1 tbsp vodka or rubbing alcohol, ½ cup vinegar, and ½ cup witch hazel or water. Mix and spray generously!
– Lastly, if you’re dealing with pesky flies in your house or camping tent, try sticking 10-20 cloves in half a lemon and place them around entrances. Flies can’t stand the smell of this combination.
*Note: these natural options won’t last as long as their chemical alternatives. So reapply often and liberally!
Have questions or comments? Feel free to forward them to jaymie@localhippie.net
Have a happy hippie week!
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