Mosquito Repellent Roller Ball

Living in Minnesota means living with mosquitoes. There is a standing joke that the mosquito is our state bird.

Enjoying the sunshine and warmth of summer can be challenging because of these itch-causing pests.

I know several people who have an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite. The reaction can be much more severe than just an itchy bump. Swelling, redness, and fever at the bite site are just a few of the symptoms that can occur.

Not everyone is on board with commercial sprays that contain DEET. I am one of those people.

I have shrubs in my backyard, and they harbor mosquitoes. Before I understood what was in the commercial sprays, I thought I would be smart and spray the shrubs with mosquito repellent. This was a huge mistake. The shrubs withered and died back for that summer. Thankfully, they came back the next spring, but have never been as full and vibrant as they once were.

I also never liked the idea of breathing in the fumes from the sprays, so I did some research to find a better, more natural way to protect myself.

Here is a rollerball essential oil recipe that works for me; hopefully, it can help you avoid the itch-causing pesky bugs.

Ingredients:

10 drops Cedarwood essential oil (a classic mosquito repellent)

8 drops Lemongrass essential oil (repels insects and smells refreshing)

6 drops Eucalyptus essential oil (effective against mosquitoes and other bugs)

5 drops Lavender essential oil (soothes skin and adds a calming scent)

5 drops Peppermint essential oil (repels insects and cools the skin)

Carrier oil (e.g., fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil) to fill the rest of the 10ml bottle

Instructions:

Add the essential oil drops directly into your empty 10ml roller bottle.

Fill the remainder of the bottle with your chosen carrier oil, leaving a little space at the top to avoid overflow when inserting the roller ball.

Secure the roller ball top and cap, then gently shake the bottle to mix the oils thoroughly.

Apply to exposed skin (wrists, ankles, neck, etc.) before heading outdoors. Reapply every 2-3 hours or as needed.

Notes:

Test a small patch of skin first to ensure you don’t have a sensitivity to any of the oils.

Avoid applying near the eyes or mucous membranes.

This blend is safe for most adults, but for kids under 6 or pregnant women, consult a professional to adjust the dilution or oils used.