IS IT POSSIBLE TO ENJOY NATURE WITHOUT MOSQUITO BITES?

The answer is, of course – yes. Going out into nature (as well as staying indoors) and having a good time is often interrupted by annoying bites from mosquitoes and other insects. Fortunately, many products that repel insects can be found on store shelves. The range is vast and tempting, the products are ready to use, and guarantee a carefree outdoor experience. Although easily available and effective, the question arises: what exactly is in them?

These products are applied to the skin in sprays or creams and can often be full of harmful or undesirable chemicals for the human body. The skin – our largest organ – is permeable. It absorbs what we apply to it through capillaries and into our bloodstream. Products like these allow us to spend an uninterrupted trip to nature, but at what cost? Are they good for us, but also for the environment?

WE LOVE NATURE, BUT WE ALSO LOVE NATURAL REPELLENTS

Instead of buying various products that contain many potentially harmful chemicals, there is a simpler solution – help from nature for a carefree stay in nature. At the same time without causing damage to us, but also to nature. We've come full circle – isn't that fascinating?

Essential oils can be excellent helpers in driving away mosquitoes and other insects – whether you're outdoors or at home with open windows. Let’s take a moment and appreciate that plants know what they’re doing. For millions of years, they have developed compounds that repel various insects that could attack or permanently damage them. Their chemical composition is repulsive to insects. In this way, the plants protect themselves and do no harm to unwanted guests – they just steer them in another direction.

MAKE YOUR OWN NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT

If you want to have a carefree time in nature, and at the same time use products without harmful chemicals on your skin, ask essential oils for some help. Here’s a very simple recipe for a spray repellent that you can make in just a few minutes.

You’ll need the following ingredients for a DIY mosquito and another insect repellent spray:

• glass spray bottle
• 30 ml of ethanol (you can get it at any pharmacy)
• 90 ml of distilled water (tap water is also fine if it doesn't contain a high percentage of limescale)
• 40 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil
• 20 drops of true lavender essential oil
• 20 drops of peppermint essential oil

You don't need to be a chemist to make your own repellent, it's very easy. Simply pour all the ingredients into your glass spray bottle, close tightly and shake well. Voilà, your mosquito repellent spray is ready! Take it with you if you are going to be spending time outdoors and spray it onto exposed body parts and clothing. You can also disperse it when you’re indoors, especially around open windows or balcony doors. Remember to shake it before each use to ensure uniformity of ingredients and maximum effectiveness.

Lemon eucalyptus is among the most common natural mosquito repellents. It can also be found in various store-bought products. This essential oil repels mosquitoes with its chemical composition and fresh citrus scent. Its antibacterial properties are an additional advantage in case of insect bites in which unwanted microorganisms or bacteria can be transmitted.

True Lavender essential oil is also a well-known insect repellent. It's most often associated with repelling moths since it contains the chemical compound camphor. On the other hand, true lavender essential oil is excellent in warding off mosquitoes because it contains the chemical compound linalool, which mosquitoes and certain insects do not like at all.

Peppermint essential oil will repel mosquitoes a little less than lemon eucalyptus and true lavender, but it will be effective against ants, ticks, and flies. It also has antimicrobial properties and a pleasant, refreshing scent. In addition, it will give you a unique cooling effect.

Additional tips:

True lavender essential oil is one of the few that can be applied undiluted to the skin. Take a bottle with you or keep it close when you're at home. If you are bitten by a mosquito and a reaction occurs on the skin, apply up to two drops of this oil onto the bite – relieve itching and reduce inflammation.

Eucalyptus essential oil can also be a great addition to your DIY spray. Together with peppermint, it will bring even more of a cooling effect, and have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.

LIVING IN HARMONY WITH NATURE, CAUSING NO HARM

KAIAA loves nature, but also natural health care – that's no secret by now. We're not exactly in love with mosquitoes, but we don't want to expose them or ourselves to harmful chemicals just to repel them. Fortunately, plants know what they’re doing. We’re taking notes and calling them for help. We make it easier for ourselves to stay outdoors (but also indoors), we are kind to the environment, but also to mosquitoes and other insects (although they’re not our best friends). What better approach is there?