This is a GREAT, much more cost-effective alternative to the “natural” bug repellents out on the market today.  I’ll be making us some before we head up North at the end of the summer!

Ingredients:

  • 15 drops Lavender essential oil
  • 3-4 Tablespoons Homemade Vanilla Extract (see recipe below)
  • 4-5 Tablespoons Lemon juice

Preparation:

  1. Mix all of the above ingredients in a spray bottle and fill the rest up with water.
  2. Spray away!

 

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Ingredients:

  • Vanilla Beans (can buy really cheap at Amazon.com)
  • Bottle of Vodka, Brandy or any other liquor you prefer

Preparation:

  1. Cut vanilla beans lengthwise.  We use 14 beans for vodka (750mL) and 8 beams for brandy (375mL).
  2. Pour a little liquor into a measuring cup so it doesn’t overflow when you add the beans into the bottle.
  3. Pour as much of the liquor back into the bottle.
  4. Let it sit in the cabinet for at least 2 months or until it smells like vanilla extract and the liquor has turned dark.

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