What are some household remedies for bug bites?

Question

to make the itching stop

or to make he bug bites go away?

Answer 1

Plantain leaves, all the way! It stops itching, sucks poison out of spider bites (Indians used it a long time ago to suck the poison out of snake bites, successfully!) and is amazing all around. :)

Plantain the "weed," not the banana-type fruit. I will link to more info. about plantain that also has a picture (I hit myself when I found out what it was... everyone, I think, knows this as a common weed, but it really works!)

For a bug deterrent, try this recipe.

*Insect Repellent*

2 c, witch hazel extract

1 ½ tsp. citronella or lemongrass essential oil

1 T. apple cider vinegar

Combine in 16 oz. spray bottle. Shake. No need to refrigerate. Apply liberally, avoiding mouth, eyes and nose.

Answer 2

ice for itch and swelling

Answer 3

good old spit. your own obviously. just rub it on affected area

Answer 4

hold a penny on it for a few minutes works best on bee, wasp, hornet bites. the copper reacts with the bite to make it not swell and rids the pain.

Answer 5

Baking soda and vinegar paste will stop the itch. It will be fizzy.

As for keeping bugs away, I have heard that vanilla repels mosquitoes, but I have not tried this myself.  I just use children's insect repellent without DEET.