DIY Natural Homemade Mosquito And Tick Repellent Spray

 

Do you also feel that this year bug situation is worse than usual? We are using mosquito and insect traps at home, we put mosquito nets on windows, and still here and there, they manage to find a way to come inside and give as a hard time. So far, the traps have turned out to be pretty effective but when you leave the house you also need protection. This is why a natural spray is a must. Especially if you want to avoid toxic chemicals.

We use it on skin as well as on clothes. It’s best to spray your neck behind your ears, wrists, and ankles; that is, areas where you can feel your pulse.

It should also be noted that various perfumes, fruity (except citrus scents) shampoos and lotions attract mosquitos and ticks so try to replace them with other scents, such as lemon or lavender.

How to make a homemade tick and mosquito repellent spray

You will need:

-          spray bottle

-          ½ cup water

-          6 drops rose geranium essential oil

-          4 drops cedarwood essential oil

-          5 drops lemongrass essential oil

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients together and pour in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

Safe to use on skin and clothes.

Before you leave your house, just shake the bottle and spray on your neck, wrists, and ankles and you are good to go. You can spray on your clothes and shoes too for extra protection.

If you want to use it on your children, dilute the mixture by reducing the essential oil drops in half.

Not suitable for children under 3.

Some like to use this spray on pets too.

Easy Home Made Raspberry Jam Recipe

Do you have raspberries in your garden but can’t eat them all at once? Make some homemade jam and save them for the winter. There are many recipes but this one is my favorite because it’s easy and only takes a few minutes make. Plus, it’s delicious and it lasts forever. Seriously, I opened a 4-year old jar and it still tasted as new.

 

Instructions

 

8 cups raspberries

4 cups sugar w/ pectin

 

First, weigh the raspberries. Put them in a pot and mix while cooking on a medium heat. After about 5 minutes of bubbling add sugar with pectin. Follow the directions on the box. Some have different fruit to sugar ratios. Our said 2:1. 2 cups fruit, 1 cup sugar with pectin. Mix and cook for a couple minutes until the jam starts to thicken.

Before you pour the jam in jars test it by using a plate and putting a small amount of jam on it. Wait a minute. If it’s still runny, you need to cook it a little longer or add more sugar with pectin. If it jiggles, it’s done.

Pour into clean jars and close with lids.

You can spread it on your pancakes, eat it in a sandwich with some butter or peanut butter, or even warm it on a stove and pour over your ice cream or other desserts.

3 Ways To Get Rid Of Ants The Natural Way

Three ways to get rid of ants naturally and safely without any toxic chemicals. First we make them go away, then we don’t let them back in. With this natural paste and spray trio you will get rid of ants for good.

1

 Ant Paste – Natural Ant Killer

Mix equal parts of baking soda, powdered sugar, and water. 2-3 teaspoons of each should be enough. Mix well and place in areas where ants enter your building. Usually, windows and doors are a good place to start.

It’s important to note that regular sugar is not as effective as powdered sugar. If you mix regular sugar with baking soda, ants can tell the difference between them and only eat sugar. Powdered sugar is similar texture as baking powder and ants get confused and eat both. You want them to eat baking soda, sugar is just for bait. Adding water turns it into a paste ants can’t resist. They also take it to their home and this way you get rid of the source of the problem as well.

 

Once you get rid of unwelcomed visitors it’s time to make sure they don’t come back.

The following ant repellents do the job well.

2

Peppermint Essential Oil Spray

Put a teaspoon of sea salt in a bowl and add 15 drops of peppermint essential oil. Wait 10 minutes for the salt to absorb all the oil. Pour half a cup of warm water and mix until all the salt dissolves. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray all ant entrances. I like to use this spray even when we don’t have an ant problem because makes your house smell nice and refreshing.

3

Vinegar Spray

Mix 2 cups of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Careful, it get bubbly so it’s best to add baking soda gradually, about half a teaspoon at a time. Then add 2 tablespoons of dish soap, mix, and pour into a spray bottle. Spray all ant entrances.

This mixture can also be used as a natural cleaner for all surfaces.