DIY Bug Bite Relief Sticks
DIY bug bite relief sticks provide a natural way to get some relief from the minor discomforts of insect bits. Even better, you can make them using beeswax, essential oils and a few common bath and body ingredients. Don’t let your outdoor Summer adventures be plagued with insects bites in need of relief. Making your own bug bite sticks is a cost-effective way to ease the discomfort with known natural ingredients.
There are many reasons to include beeswax in skin care recipes. A natural humectant with antibacterial properties – it is a great partner in promoting healthy skin.
Why Make Your Own Bug Bite Relief Sticks?
When you create your own bug bite relief sticks at home, you can customize the ingredients according to your preferences.
You control the source and quality of the recipe ingredients – ensuring that no toxic compounds are included. You can avoid the harsh chemicals and added fragrances that occur in many commercial recipes.
A small bug bite stick is easy to carry in purses, your backpack or even a pocket. That’s why I chose the slim tube but you can use any small container. In fact, if you prefer a bug bite relief balm or salve – just reduce the amount of beeswax in the recipe.
Ingredients
Only a few ingredients are required for this recipe and you can make some substitutions if you wish. Along with a heat source and some lip balm tubes – you will be ready to proceed.
- beeswax
- shea butter
- coconut oil
- essential oils
- vitamin e oil (optional)
Beeswax
You can purchase beeswax in pellets, bars or chunks. If you are a beekeeper (or know one) raw wax is fine too. Just be sure to clean your beeswax before using it for projects.
Beeswax acts as a humectant (it attracts water) and it forms a protective layer on your sensitive skin. These properties make it a great soother for skin irritation. You can even use products with beeswax for hair care.
Beekeepers collect excess wax after the honey harvest. This valuable hive product can be turned into many projects-from create a special beeswax lip balm recipe with your favorite fragrances and oils.
You can even brighten you wooden furniture with this beeswax furniture polish!
Shea Butter
This luxurious product is made from fats extracted from the nuts of the shea tree. A nutrient rich cosmetic butter, Shea butter is full of vitamins and antioxidants. It softens and hydrates the skin.
Some people have a sensitivity to shea butter. If this is you – try cocoa butter instead or simply use more coconut oil.
Coconut Oil
I love coconut oil because you can do so many things with it. Coconut oil contains lauric acid which gives it antimicrobial properties.
It kills bacteria on your skin and helps reduce inflammation. Liquid at warm temperatures, it becomes a soft solid in cooler conditions.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. They are natural but that does not mean they are not powerful. Their anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties can help reduce itching, swelling, and pain associated with bug bites.
Tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender essential oils are good for insect bites. Some recipes use spearmint and patchouli oil.
When used in combination with beeswax and other natural ingredients, essential oils can create a powerful and effective bug bite relief stick that is gentle on your skin and safe for daily use.
Vitamin E Oil (optional)
I always include a few drops of vitamin e oil in my homemade body care products. Not only is it nourishing for the skin – it helps prevent the natural oils and butters from going rancid.
Step by Step Process
Once all of your ingredients are measured out, this is a very straightforward bug bite stick recipe. Our goal is simply to melt the non-liquid ingredients – combine everything and let it cool.
1. Beeswax is available to purchase in pastilles that are already cleaned and very easy to measure and melt. But, you may have larger pieces. Luckily, beeswax has a low melting point of about 147°F. However, it is flammable if heated to the flashpoint of 204.4 °C (400 °F).
Some people gently melt it in the microwave but that is not my recommendation. The safest way to melt your beeswax is using a double boiler method.
You can buy small double boiler inserts that are inexpensive and make great pans to dedicate to your wax crafts. However, you can just use a small pot of water and a tin can to hold the wax too.
Melt the beeswax first, then add the other butters and oils (but not the vitamin e or essential oils.) Stir well to combine.
2. Once all is mixed, remove the pan from the heat source – now add the desired essential oils and a few drops of vitamin e oil.
3. Pour your recipe ingredients into regular sized lip balm tubes. Let them cool completely before adding the lid.
4. Use some type of label or marker to display what is inside. While this might work as a lip balm, that is not the purpose and the essential oils might be too intense.
How to Use
Anytime you are bitten by an insect, it is vital to rule out any dangerous allergic reactions. Then, clean the area where the bite occurred.
Gently apply the bug bite relief stick to the affected area. If the weather is chilly and the recipe too firm- use your finger to gather some material off the end of your tube and apply to the skin.
Swelling, redness and frustrating itching are the most common discomforts of bug bites – consider other methods or remedies for bee sting care that may help.
Because anyone can be allergic to anything – it is always a good idea to start with a light application first. And of course, if any serious symptoms arrive – reach out to medical professionals immediately.
Storing
Your beeswax bug bite relief sticks should last several months, even longer if you keep the extras in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them.
I suggest keeping one with you and the rest in the frig until needed. They do not require refrigeration but don’t leave them in a hot car.
Variations
One of the beauties of this project is the many variations that are possible.
If you don’t want to use lip balm tubes – no problem, small tins or sliding boxes work well. You can even use a small glass jar with a wide top
For those of you who do not care for tea tree, lavender and peppermint oils – try chamomile, rosemary, or lemongrass.
More Fun Ideas
Congratulations – You did it! Now pat yourself on the back for just a moment because you created your own natural product to use. Best of all, you know what’s in it. You can use it with assurance that it contains no toxic chemicals.
Making your own natural products is a lot of fun and can save you money too! Other popular options include: plantain salve, calendula salve and even dandelion salve.
Now that you have the hang of things, maybe its time to try some DIY beeswax body butter to soothe the rest of your skin.
And don’t forget Rover – this homemade dog paw balm uses raw wax to lock in moisture on your best friend’s foot pads. Oh, and be sure you know what to do if your dog eats a bee! Yes, it happens.
FAQs
Yes, you can use the bug bite relief stick on children, but be cautious with the types and quantities of essential oils used. Some essential oils may be too strong for young children, so consider using gentler oils like lavender and testing a small amount first.
I would not use the bug bite relief stick on pets without consulting my veterinarian first.
Yes, you could add colorants or fragrances to your sticks but there is really no need to add unnecessary ingredients.
If your bug bite relief stick is too soft, increase the amount of beeswax in the recipe for a firmer consistency. If it’s too hard, add a bit more carrier oil (like coconut oil) to soften the stick.
Finally
DIY Bug bite relief sticks are not a cure. But, they can provide some itch relief through the soothing properties of beeswax and essentials oils . Being outside is good for your health and your soul but we share the world with other living things.
Perhaps, we get a bit to close to a foraging bee, fire ants, rub elbows with some chiggers or even discover a wasp nest! Sometimes, stings or mosquito bites just happen. Be ready.
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Beeswax Bug Bite Relief Sticks
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read my Disclosure.Supplies
- 28.4 grams beeswax (2 Tablespoons)
- 26.8 grams shea butter (2 Tablespoons)
- 13.06 grams coconut oil (1 Tablespoons)
- 24 drops tea tree essential oil
- 12 drops lavender essential oil
- 8 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 1 capsule vitamin E oil (or 3 drops)
- 9 pieces lip balm tubes (.15 ounce)
Instructions
- Melting the Wax:Beeswax is very easy to work with due to its low melting point. However, it can be messy. Protect floors and counters or avoid drips!First, place the required amount of beeswax in your double boiler set up (or small saucepan). Water in the bottom pot and ingredients in the top. Use the stove top element to slowly heat.I have several of the little double boiler inserts linked above. They are great for crafting.Your wax can be in blocks, pellets or shaved. It takes a while to melt – be patient and gentle.
- Adding Butter and Oil:Once your beeswax has liquified, add the coconut oil and shea butter. Don't be alarmed if the wax temporarily hardens again – it will quickly melt again.Continue to gently warm until these ingredients are liquid and mixed together. I use chop sticks or wooden skewers to stir but you can use whatever you wish to be dedicated to wax projects.
- Mix in Essential Oils:Remove the container from heat and add your essential oils. Count the drops – don’t use too much. We don’t want the essential oils to be overheated – that is why you remove the mix from the heat before adding them. (Add a few drops of vitamin E oil if desired – this is optional but it does help keep the oils from spoiling).
- Pouring into Containers:Stir well and let the mixture cool for a couple of minutes. Then slowly pour into empty lip balm tubes or small wide mouth jars or tins – depending on which container you prefer to use.
- Add Caps When Cool:If using plastic lip balm or chapstick tubes, let the mixture cool before adding the caps.
- Labels Please:You don’t want anyone applying the bug bite stick to their lips so label the container – even if you are only making them for yourself. Create some types of label. If you plan to give them away – I would list the ingredients -just in case someone may have allergies.
