The Shady Ladies Literary Society

View Original

Natural Bug Spray Recipe

My friends never know what they might get roped into 😂

My bestie, Stacy, came to visit recently, and I announced that we were making 60 bottles of bug spray to gift to Shady Ladies at an upcoming event.. She looked at me, poured some bourbon, and said, “Let’s get to it.”

Stacy’s the one who has been enlisted into all of my crazy ideas over the years. Once she catered an art gallery opening with just a toaster oven set on not-quite-cured concrete countertops. (It was perfect!)

No matter what I ask, Stacy just pours a drink and gets right to whatever craziness is in store. She likes to say she’s my “help you move a body” friend.

I hope you all have a Shady Lady who helps you make your dreams happen, no matter how crazy they might be.

BUG SPRAY RECIPE

  • 30 drops geranium oil

  • 30 drops citronella oil

  • 30 drops lemon eucalyptus oil

  • 20 drops lemon eucalyptus essential oil.

  • 20 drops lavender essential oil.

  • 10 drops rosemary essential oil.

  • 1 TBSP vodka or rubbing alcohol.

  • ½ cup natural witch hazel.

  • ½ cup water

  • 1 tsp vegetable glycerin

Large Batch Directions:
Put all of the essential oils into a large glass spray bottle
Add vodka or rubbing alcohol and shake
Add witch hazel and water. Shake.
Add vegetable glycerin. Shake.
Label. (We used twine and craft signs, but masking tape on the bottle works just fine)
Store in location where you won’t forget to use it

Small Batch Directions:
Put everything in a large glass pitcher or bowl.
Mix
Pour into small glass bottles using a funnel
Shake each bottle vigorously.
Label
Distribute gifts

Notes:
This is borrowed from the Internet, which says it works. And you know the Internet never lies. I can mostly attest to its efficacy when I’m sitting in my backyard in Michigan, though that could also just be a placebo effect. Whatever.

However, a Shady Lady from Alaska took it with her to visit family and can confirm that it does not work in the land of mosquitos-the-size-of-birds. But, you know, I wouldn’t bring a butter spreader to a knife fight, either.