Day 4. Don’t Forget the Bug Spray!

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If you want to stay healthy while hiking, that includes avoiding those pesky bugs and 
insects you might come across. Since you will be in nature, you won’t be able to avoid 
them. However, you can protect yourself from stings and bites, whether you are coming 
across ticks, spiders, or mosquitoes.

Basic Bug Protection Tips

Before looking at different ways to make natural bug spray for your hike, here are some 
tips to prevent bug bites and exposure to ticks:

Wear long-sleeves shirts and pants 
Tuck your pants into your socks 
Wear lighter clothing, as bugs can easily be seen on them 
Protect your hair by wearing a hat on your hike

Use Natural Bug Repellents

There are certain scents that a lot of insects on trails don’t enjoy, so they will typically 
leave you alone. You can use essential oils of these scents to combine with carrier oils 
and water and spray on your skin as an easy bug spray that is completely natural. 
Some of these scents include:

Lemon 
Eucalyptus 
Lavender 
Cinnamon 
Thyme

You can choose just one essential one you want to use in your DIY bug spray, or 
combine some together that go well and will deter more insects. These scents will deter 
spiders and various other creepy crawlies. Don’t forget to check your clothing often and 
investigate your skin for ticks when you return home from your hike.

