Nothing can ruin a camping trip faster than getting eaten alive by a swarm of hungry mosquitoes. However, not everyone is a fan of dousing themselves with huge doses of chemicals just to keep themselves and their campsite mosquito free. Fortunately, you can make a natural mosquito repellent that works just as well as the chemical laden stuff and as a bonus you won’t have the awful “bug spray” smell afterwards.

Here’s the recipe to make your own insect repellent (you may have to visit your local health food store or a few of them to get these ingredients, btw).

4 drops lavender
4 drops eucalyptus
4 drops of rosemary
4 drops of tea tree essential oils
1 teaspoon of witch hazel
4 teaspoons of water

Simply shake up the mixture in a bottle and apply directly to your skin.

If you want a spray version then put in the same mixture of oils (the first four ingredients) and put 2 teaspoons of witch hazel in 8 ounces of water and shake it all up in a spray bottle. And again, spray on to your skin.

So next time you’re out camping and don’t want to make yourself a mosquito buffet, give this mixture a try to keep those annoying little critters at bay.

And if you have any other tips for keeping mosquitoes away while camping, be sure to post them in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.