How to make your own organic mosquito repellent

It's been a wet, hot Summer over much of the world, which means the mosquitoes are going to be plentiful, hungry, and ticked off. (Little known fact: all mosquitoes are angry. Always.) So what can we do to protect ourselves from being attacked by swarms of bitter bugs? The easiest thing to do, of course, is stay inside; well-sealed windows and doors do a terrific job keeping out unwanted, blood-sucking guests. However, if you absolutely MUST go outside, you'll need to be prepared with some sort of bug repellent.

When faced with the proposition of being blitzed by a battalion of biting bugs, most people make a beeline to their local store to pick up some OFF Spray, or similar DEET-laden repellent. Store-bought bug sprays are fine, but some people have serious skin reactions to DEET, which if sprayed directly onto plastic can cause it to bubble and warp. Would you want to put that on your skin? If you're like me, and you enjoy rolling your own bug-off juice, here's an effective recipe that I find keeps the mosquitoes away just as well as the name brand stuff.

Materials:

1. 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar
2. 1/3 cup witch hazel (or cheap vodka)
3. 5 drops of citronella or eucalyptus essential oil
   

Tools:

1. Spray bottle
2. Funnel
   

Time:

A few minutes

Steps:

Ok, this is pretty tough, so make sure you follow along closely. I don't want you getting confused.

1. Using the funnel, pour all the liquid ingredients into the spray bottle.
2. Shake the bottle to mix the liquids.
   

Tada! You're now holding a bottle of effective, organic bug repellent. You can also spray your DIY repellent around areas that you'd rather not have bugs, such as the picnic table or your dog's head. Unlike the store-bought sprays, this stuff isn't water-proof (or sweat-proof, for that matter), so you'll need to reapply as necessary. Unfortunately, it won't keep ticks at bay, so you might have to use the DEET version if you're going to be traipsing into the deep woods. However, if you're just looking for a little extra protection during your next barbecue, this might be right up your alley.

[via DIY Network ]