Articles How to avoid being “dinner” at your next camping trip Camping is one of my favorite pastimes, but the constant threat of mosquitoes and ticks can make an enjoyable afternoon a true nightmare. With all the chemicals present in today’s repellants, everyone is seeking a truly natural and safe alternative.    Essential oils are well known for their ability to repel insects and are the active ingredient in many brand-name products, citronella oil being one of the most popular. Other effective repellants are cajuput, cedarwood, eucalyptus, geranium, juniper, lavender, lemongrass, patchouli, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, red thyme, rosemary, and tea tree.   You can make a spray using any one or a combination of these mixed in a carrier oil such as sweet almond or olive oil. Use caution with Pennyroyal, as it is not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers. Other than that, you can feel free to experiment. Here’s a sample recipe for you:   16 oz of jojoba or vegetable oil like olive or sweet almond 16 oz witch hazel ½ oz citronella ¼ oz lavender 1/8 oz pennyroyal 1/8 oz tea tree 1/8 oz lemongrass   Mix these together and put in a spray bottle. Because natural repellents tend to provide coverage for a shorter time, plan on reapplying every 30 minutes or so. But don’t stop there! You can put a drop or two of Lavender or red thyme on strips of ribbon or cloth and hang them at your campsite from the trees and your tent to ward off the nasty buggers. Also, remember that for some reason, these summer insects are fashion “winters”. That means they are attracted to darker clothing, so stick with the whites, bright yellows and oranges to help keep them at bay. Also, avoid shampoos and soaps with fragrance. This will undo everything you’ve done and attract every bug for miles, so use a soap or shampoo bar specifically for camping with the same essential oils in them.   If you do happen to get bitten or stung, neat lavender essential oil is one of the best things you can use. For ticks, NEVER try to pull them off. Put a drop of tea tree essential oil on them until they let go, then treat the wound with neat tea tree oil. “Neat” for essential oils means undiluted. Happy Camping!   Karen Mallinger is the owner of All Goode Gifts, LLC in Michigan’s beautiful upper peninsula. Her website is www.allgoodegifts.com   Back to Articles