How to Make an Herbal Insect Repellant

Photo by Pawel Kryj.

Few things can spoil an otherwise incredible camping trip or trek like an onslaught of insects. Sometimes swarms of mosquitoes attack your skin, while ants or other ground bugs can penetrate your tent or sleeping bag. Luckily, there are a few natural, herbal solutions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Mint leaves
Orange peels
Olive oil
Stove
Cayenne pepper

Step 1

Tear up a handful of mint leaves into small pieces. Put them into a clean glass jar.

Step 2

Peel an orange, then tear up the orange peels into small strips or pieces. Add them to the mint leaves in the glass jar.

Step 3

Pour one cup of oil into a small pan and heat the oil to about 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour the heated oil into the glass jar. It should completely cover, or almost completely cover, the mint leaf-orange peel mixture. Replace the lid and seal the jar tightly.

Step 4

Let mixture sit for at least 10 days.

Step 5

Rub oil on your skin as you head out on your camping or trekking adventure.

Step 6

Lay out a think line of cayenne pepper in front of your tent (just outside and along the doorway -- not in the tent itself). You may want to lightly sprinkle a circle of cayenne pepper around your tent, too. Cayenne pepper naturally deters insects on the ground -- especially ants -- from invading your sleeping and living space. You now have insect repellent on your skin as well as around your sleeping area.

Article Written By William Jackson

William Jackson has written, reported and edited professionally for more than 10 years. His work has been published in newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals, high-level government reports, books and online. He holds a master's degree in humanities from Pennsylvania State University.

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