They’re not usually dangerous, but flies can be quite annoying – especially if you’re out RVing or camping and you just want to relax and have a good time. They keep flying right by your face again and again…you can keep swatting them away incessantly, or you can mix together a few ingredients from the local store and create a repellent to make them disappear. Forget the ones with unsafe chemicals – here are a few natural mixtures you can try:
1. Combine about a hundred drops of lavender oil, citronella oil, Eucalyptus oil, and peppermint oil together in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and witch hazel (or vodka).
This mix should not only keep regular flies away, but other flying insects too! If you were hoping to save some for a second use, just add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of vodka into the blend.
Dampen a cloth with the mixture and place it inside an old recycled coffee tin. Then pour the rest of your mix onto the cloth and place the lid on the can. Allow for it to sit for at least 24 hours, then you can remove the top whenever you’re being invaded by pesky flies. Every few uses, be sure to replenish inside the tin by adding a few more drops of oil. This mixture will not only keep regular flies and horse flies away, but properties in the peppermint oil may also help ward off mosquitoes, and the lavender may help with moths.
Get a cloth damp with the mixture, and put it inside an old recycled coffee tin. Then pour the rest of your mix onto the cloth, place the lid on the can, and allow it to sit for at least 24 hours. You can remove the top whenever you’re being invaded by pesky flies. Every few uses, be sure to replenish it by adding a few more drops of oil.
2. Mix 30-50 drops of citronella, clove, lemongrass, rosemary, tea tree, cajeput, eucalyptus, cedar, catnip, lavender, or mint. In addition, add 1/2 cup of witch hazel and 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle.
Simply spray this mix on yourself and you’ll be fly free! You can use it on most articles of clothing too – although you may want to test a small corner of the fabric to ensure it won’t be discolored. Allow it to fully dry, then re-apply whenever necessary. Avoid spraying it on pets, getting undiluted oil directly on your skin – and you most definitely don’t want to get it in your eyes.
3. Mix 15 drops of tea tree, lavender, mint, basil, grapefruit, or eucalyptus oil with 1 oz. of olive oil.
After it’s mixed together, simply rub it on yourself using a cloth – especially over pressure points like your wrists and neck. You can also amplify the aroma by lighting a candle at your campsite and putting in some extra drops of any of the oils!
Many of these ingredients may be all natural – but they are still not digestible, so be sure to keep them away from your little ones.
