Bugged by the bugs when you're trying to enjoy a picnic or camp with friends and family? The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers this "natural" defense recipe.

Natural Bug Spray Recipe^*

To a 4-oz. spray bottle add:

• 2 oz. of witch hazel (This doesn't need to be exact. Just eyeball it by filling the bottle a little less than half full.)
• 2 oz. of distilled water (Fill the remainder of the bottle until it's almost full, but leave room for adding essential oils and the spray top.)
• Essential oil (20-25 drops for children age 3+ or 40-50 drops for adults and children age 10+)

Essential oils that are traditionally recommended for their bug repellent properties: citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, geranium, spearmint, thyme, and clove.

Dish up Some Summer Fun

Plan a vegetarian picnic buffet for friends and family. Decreasing meat consumption helps contribute to decreasing greenhouse gasses. Visit the Farmers Market and choose from an array of fresh vegetables and fruits to make salads, grill on skewers or wrap in tortillas. Add some cheeses and hummus. Mix up a batch of fresh lemon or limeade, and you have a creation celebration.

^*See more Environmentally Friendly Camping Tips from DEC.

Creation Care Team page

Creation Care Team contact: Marie Myer