Just as I was settling back into a relaxing sleep routine, the heat wave hit. Tossing and turning. Then the temperatures started to cool down just enough this weekend for me to start to get comfortable…BAM! Mosquitoes!!! I can say without a doubt that mosquitoes are my least favorite part of Summer. I can be surrounded by people and literally every single hungry mosquito in a 5 mile radius will bite me. Just me. My mother says it’s ’cause I’m so sweet which (don’t judge me) actually makes me feel a little better. Mommies are awesome like that.

Anyway, I was in desperate need of some mosquito-free rest and relaxation. I’ve always heard that the go to mosquito repellent is citronella. I really am not too keen on the smell of citronella, especially when I’m trying to get some shut eye. Fortunately, citronella isn’t the only scent that mosquitoes hate. We’re talking lavender, y’all. Who knew?!

Lavender is probably my favorite essential oil. For real, I use it in all kinds of recipes. Seriously, I go through those little bottles like water. I always keep a homemade lavender face mist at my desk to relieve stress. I use a lavender leave in conditioner daily. And now I have a new recipe to add to my arsenal, and yours. This recipe goes straight ninja on mosquitoes all while calming you into the deepest, most restful sleep of your life. Check it out and you can totally thank me later!

Homemade Mosquito Repellent + Sleep Spray

Ingredients

• witch hazel
• lavender essential oil

Directions

• pour your witch hazel in a small mist bottle (I used 2oz bottles) leaving a little space at the top
• add about 10 drops of lavender essential oil, or more to really get that lavender scent up and running
• if you’re feeling fancy, you can add some fresh, dried lavender
• close the bottle and shake well
• to use, spray the mist all over your bed linens and your whole body
• store on your bedside table

This spray is so gentle that you can use it directly on your skin without fear of irritation. I really use a lot of this spray, so I tend to have to make more on a weekly basis, but it’s so worth it. For the first time in years, I get to sleep at night… the deep slumber of a person that has absolutely no mosquito bites.

Images: pinterest/eyeswoon + pinterest/annieselke