Mosquitos Suck But Your Summer Doesn't Have To

Why I Spray This Natural Bug Repellent on Myself and My Dog for Every Walk

Every evening around dusk, I clip Moose's leash to his harness, and before we ever step out the door, I spray us both with Elixir Mind Body Botanicals Bug Away Repellent Mist.

Mosquitoes suck. But your summer doesn't have to. If you live near the Foothills like I do, you know what evenings can be like in the summer. The mosquitoes come out in full force. Not just a few, actual swarms. It makes you think twice about spending time outside.

But I don't skip our walks. And I don't come home with itchy bites, and neither does Moose.

Most people don't think about what they put on their skin when they reach for bug spray. They just want the bugs to leave them alone. Which is fair. I want to show you that you have a safe, natural choice when you need protection from bugs.

Why People Are Looking for a Natural Option

Common over-the-counter repellents include DEET or picaridin. These are options many people use, and they have been around for decades.

These are options I personally wanted to move away from for my everyday use. Not because I think they are dangerous or toxic, but because your skin is your largest organ with a permeable membrane. Studies have shown that some repellent ingredients can be absorbed through the skin. When I am spraying myself every single evening and putting something on my dog, I want to feel good about what I am using. That is a personal choice, and it is the choice that led me to carry Bug Away in the Elixir Mind Body Boutique.

I was also thinking about my family and friends who use this with me outdoors. For anyone using a product on a pet or child, I always recommend checking with your veterinarian or pediatrician and following the product label directions. That is just a smart practice with any product, botanical or otherwise.

Steam-Distilled Essential Oils: What They Are and Why I Use Them

Bug Away is formulated with steam-distilled essential oils. That process matters. Steam distillation extracts the volatile compounds from the plant without synthetic solvents or chemical processing. What you get is the actual plant chemistry, concentrated and intact.

Plant-based repellents work differently from synthetic ones. Protection time can vary based on conditions and how often you reapply. I reapply Bug Away regularly, especially on longer outings or when bugs are heavy. I also spray it on my clothing, not just my skin, which adds another layer of coverage. That is just how botanical repellents work best, and once you build the habit, it becomes second nature.

Here is what is in Bug Away and why each ingredient is used.

Citronella is one of the most widely recognized botanical repellents. It has a long history of use and is commonly found in candles, sprays, and outdoor products. Mosquitoes are sensitive to its volatile compounds, and it forms the base scent of the formula.

Lemongrass contains high concentrations of citral, which gives it that sharp, clean scent. It works alongside citronella and contributes to the overall repellent profile of the blend.

Sweet Basil contains volatile compounds including eugenol, linalool, citronellol, and methyl chavicol. Plant volatile oils from basil have been studied for their repellent properties, and it has a long history of use in gardens to deter insects.

Tea Tree Oil has a strong scent profile that insects find unpleasant, and it is one of the most widely studied essential oils in botanical research. It is used here at a concentration level appropriate for a topical mist.

Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, both of which are found in many botanical repellent studies. It smells wonderful to us, which is part of what makes this formula so different from a conventional mass-produced spray.

Organic Green Tea Extract contributes antioxidant support to the skin and rounds out the botanical base.

Organic Black Willow Bark Extract brings natural soothing properties to the formula. It is a skin-comfort ingredient that supports the overall experience of using the mist.

Witch Hazel and Organic Aloe Juice form the carrier base. They dry on your skin and clothing without residue and keep the mist light and comfortable for the skin.

No synthetic fragrances. No DEET. No parabens. Cruelty-free and vegan.

What I Notice Every Single Evening

When I walk Moose, I can see the swarms of mosquitoes. I can see them approach, then veer away. They move to avoid me. The Bug Away mist creates a no-go zone around me that they don’t want to enter.

That has been my consistent personal experience. I reapply before longer walks and spray my pants legs and sleeves too, especially in tall grass or heavier bug conditions. We come home with no bites and no lingering chemical smell on either of us, just a faint aroma of lemongrass and lavender.

That experience is why I kept recommending this product. And why I keep reaching for it every single evening.

Beyond the Evening Walk

My family uses Bug Away everywhere the bugs show up.

Hiking in the Rockies, Bug Away goes on before we hit the trailhead. I reapply whenever we take a breather and spray our clothing as well as exposed skin. At baseball games, sitting in the bleachers at dusk with all those stadium lights attracting bugs, we spray it on. We’ve even had other fans smell it and ask if they can use some, too. And when we want to sit outside on the deck and enjoy the Colorado summer, we aren’t swatting bugs away the whole time.

When you first spray it, you'll notice that instead of that typical bug-spray smell, you'll experience the refreshing scent of lemongrass, citronella, tea tree, basil, and lavender. No overwhelming chemical scent or sticky residue. Just protection that smells and feels fresh.

Take it camping, to outdoor concerts, or enjoy your own backyard. Wherever you need protection from pests, this is the natural bug repellent that you need with you. Carry a bottle in your bag, keep one by the door, toss one in a hiking pack, or stash it in a cooler bag for outdoor events. Reapply as needed and spray your clothing for added coverage in buggy conditions. Wherever you need a natural bug spray you feel good about, Bug Away is the one I trust and recommend.

The ingredients perform, and the botanical science behind those ingredients is real. Every evening when Moose and I come back inside without a single bite, I know the formula works.

If you are looking for an effective natural option, order your Bug Away today.