This post originally appeared on our blog April 18, 2018. It has been updated to provide additional information.
Our son loves to play outside but the bugs would see him coming and attack. So I would dose him with bug spray and buy bug bands by the box. The bands were good because they would slip on his ankle or wrist, are indestructible and last a very long time.
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As we go into Spring and Summer this year, I will be making my own bug bands and spray.
First mix up the bug spray – it’s very easy and takes only a couple minutes.
In a 16 oz glass spray bottle40 drops of doTERRA TerraShield15 drops doTERRA Lemongrass15 drops doTERRA Cedarwood10 drops doTERRA Peppermint Fill the rest with equal parts fractionated coconut oil and witch hazel. I prefer Thrayer’s Witch Hazel with Aloe. Shake the mixture before use. Now with your spray, pour some into a glass or metal bowl enough to cover the bands. Place bands in and soak for about 2 hours. Lay flat on a towel to dry. I store them in a Ziploc bag by our back door near the pool towels. He knows they are there and happily helps himself before heading outside. It will be necessary to reapply the mix to the bands about every other week, depending on how much they are used so make up some you can rotate. I use those plastic bands the children like with different colors and words written on them. These are always showing up at our house from somewhere and since he enjoys wearing them it at least makes them multi-purpose. It won’t harm any charms so it’s perfectly fine to use the decorated bands as well.📷📷
You can purchase the bands I use right here: https://amzn.to/2LIJRyp?fbclid=IwAR2rs8ufFb5xAMG_Bw7mVRK_kEGPV5BgNmjZecc3XcKzwsa4HoWcMEYe3Uo
Tick Protection
Doterra recently published a post regarding tick repellent that can also be helpful. It seems logical a similar mix or combination could be added to the bug band discussed above to increase protection:
Interested in more?
To make these bands, I recommend using doTERRA essential oils. They are safe, effective and do not contain any chemicals. I’m comfortable using them on our young son and he’s had no adverse effects.
You can purchase doTERRA essentials oils with at least a 25% off discount simply by clicking here:
dragonspitapothecary.com