Mabalingwe’s Ultimate Homemade and Eco-Friendly Bug Repellents

Do you sometimes just feel the bushveld is calling and you must just go? The nature, the sunsets, the sounds, the wonderful memories that you have…  with nature and the bushveld, come the cute and interesting “goggos”, bugs and a number of crawling and flying critters because naturally the bush is their domain. That however doesn’t mean you necessarily love and treasure the time spent with a fly, a mozzie or a spider in your room, kitchen, lounge and especially the bathroom. So we thought we would share our eco-friendly, homemade repellents with you – keeping the crawlies cosy in the bushes and you “snug-as-a-bug” in your Unit. And of course, you can use these remedies beyond the bushveld, in your own homes too.

Spider Repellent:

Did you know spiders abhor peppermint? Well, now you do. To keep the spiders happily outside, add ten to 15 drops of peppermint essential oil to a cup (250 ml) of water. Pop this into a spray bottle and spray on doorframes, windows, small cracks, ceilings and bathrooms, in your House/Chalet.

Ant Repellent:

Ants have a great sense of smell, but don’t like cinnamon, garlic and mint. If you have too many ants visiting you indoors, take a cinnamon stick, sliced clove of garlic and/or mint and place them in the problem areas (“blocking” their path); this will disperse their party and direct them back to the great outdoors. Keep doing this – the clever little ants will remember that your Chalet/Home isn’t the place to be.

General “Gogga”/Bug Spray:

Did you know that flies, mozzies, ticks and other creepy crawlies are not fans of basil? You can either invest in a basil plant/plant it all over your garden, or for a portable version … you can purchase basil essential oil, pour 20 drops and two cups of water into a spray bottle and TA-DA – your own bug repellent.

Anything Else?

Are there other ingredients that bugs in general, find unpleasant? Yes – eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, citronella and bay leaves (in any form).

There you have it… Mabalingwe’s Ultimate Homemade Bug Repellents. Do you have any eco-friendly tips on how to keep the bugs at bay? Let us know in the comment section below!

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