A homemade insect repellent is more gentle on the skin and can be used without risking the side effects of the powerful insecticide DEET, which can cause severe reactions in people with sensitive skin.
Mix together ½ ounce of citronella oil, 1/8 ounce of pennyroyal oil, 1/8 ounce of tea tree oil, ¼ ounce of lavender oil, and 1/8 ounce of jojoba oil in a large clean jar. Add 16 ounces of jojoba oil to dilute the solution and mix well with a wooden spoon.
Apply a small amount of vanilla oil to your skin before going out. This scent repels many kinds of insects.
Be very careful when applying essential oils of any sort to your skin. While vanilla oil is mild, large amounts of tea tree oil and lavender oil applied to the skin undiluted may cause burns or irritation.