Toss This Common Plant Into Your Campfire For A Natural & Effective Bug Repellent

Camping is one of the best ways to connect with nature. The wind in the trees, the thrill of waking up to an unforgettable sunrise, and the pride you feel in yourself for setting up the perfect tent. However, this joy just doesn't feel as sweet when you realize you forgot your can of bug spray. Instead of relaxing and enjoying your camping trip, you'll now have to spend most of your time whacking mosquitoes and itching your inevitable bug bites. However, this discomfort can still be avoided. There just happens to be a genius trick for keeping pests away from your campsite that you can find in the great outdoors.

If you happen to come across dog fennel on your trip, you can use it to keep insects away from your camp, especially mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. This plant is relatively inconspicuous, appearing as a young cedar tree, but with feathery leaves that are much softer to the touch than an actual cedar tree would be. While this plant is a great insect repellent, it is not a good idea to try and eat dog fennel, as the alkaloids in the plant have been known to cause stomach problems and even liver failure.

There are several ways you can use dog fennel as an insect repellent. The best way to protect your entire campground would be to burn your dog fennel, as the smell of the smoke will send insects flying in the opposite direction. You can simply toss your plant in the base of a casual fire, or you could make a more durable fire specifically for the plant. In this TikTok video by @speiroutdoors, a man builds a Dakota Fire Hole to burn the plant. This involves digging a shallow hole in the ground, typically with a tunnel in the side to allow oxygen to access the fire. Then, he builds a fire in the hole and lays the dog fennel on top to create a thick, repellent smoke. The smell of the dog fennel will be sure to keep those pesky, bloodthirsty bugs at bay.

@speiroutdoors

Natural Mosquito Repellent: Harnessing Dog Fennel and Dakota Fire Hole Discover the power of nature in repelling mosquitoes with the combination of Dog Fennel and the Dakota Fire Hole technique. In this video, learn how to utilize the aromatic properties of Dog Fennel and the strategic placement of a Dakota Fire Hole to create a natural mosquito repellent. Enhance your outdoor experience and bid farewell to pesky mosquitoes. #NaturalMosquitoRepellent #DogFennel #DakotaFireHole #OutdoorTips #MosquitoProtection #Camping #Bushcraft #Survival #SpeirOutdoors

♬ original sound – Speir Outdoors – Speir Outdoors

Dog fennel can also be used as an insect repellent for the body. Simply crush up the plant in your hands to extract the juices from inside and rub it on your skin and clothes. You can also brew up your own DIY bug repellent with the plant by steeping a mixture of dog fennel, lemon grass, catnip, and chopped beautyberry leaves. You can add other insect repellent plants, like lavender or mint, depending on what you have access to.