Use Geranium Oil as an Insect Repellent
Geranium oil, taken from the flower of the same name, is part of a family of natural and effective insect repellents that include lemongrass and citronella oils. By combining and adding geranuim oil with a variety of products, you can create a safe and easy-to-use insect repellent that will work against most types of mosquitoes, fleas and flying insects.
Instructions
1. Combine 1 part pure geranium oil with 10 parts of pure soybean oil to create an effective homemade insect repellent that performs as well as many commercial insect repellents containing chemicals such as DEET (N-dimethyl toluamide). In studies, the geranium oil and soybean oil combination was second only to lemon eucalyptus oil as the most effective and long-lasting natural insect repellent available.
2. Use geranium oil as an insect repellent by rubbing the solution on all exposed areas of your skin, taking care to avoid your eyes, nose and mouth. You may want to test a little of the solution on your forearm first, since many people may be allergic to soybean oil. Rub the geranium oil solution into your skin completely, and re-apply every 2 hours or so.
3. Dilute the geranium solution in rubbing alcohol or witch hazel, using the same 10 to 1 ratio, for an insect repellent that feels less greasy. This solution can also be poured into a plastic spray bottle, and used on clothing, pets and plants.
4. Mix geranium oil with its cousins, lemongrass and lemon eucalyptus oil, for use as a more potent and long-lasting insect repellent. Lemon eucalyptus oil in particular can enhance the solution by providing 5 to 6 hours of protection against insect bites. Mixing various types of natural oils generally makes the insect repellent effective against a wider variety of flying insects.
5. Wash geranium oil off your skin with hot water and soap once you have returned indoors. While geranium oil is fairly mild to your skin, especially in a diluted form, it can stain your sheets if you leave it on your skin overnight.
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