We’re in the thick of summertime humidity. That means sticky days and damp nights. This kind of weather can be a nice treat for skin that has been feeling thirsty all year long. But while your skin is looking its most hydrated, it may be speckled with little red bumps. What are they? BUG bites. Yes, everyone’s detested creepy crawly—mosquitoes—are having a field day on our delicate skin.

I know how annoying it is to have bug bites, trust me, I even have some scars from where I itched too intensely. One time, when my brother was 5 yrs. old, we went on a summer holiday in Italy (the villa was without window screens) and my brother got 82 bug bites. Yes, I counted them and he looked like he had the chicken pox.

Now, we certainly don’t want that happening to you, so check out our article on how to make some DIY bug repellents to prevent them in the first place. But if it already has, read on for how to naturally soothe your irritated skin of that unrelenting itch. While protecting yourself against bug bites is the best option over all, how you treat them once you’ve been bitten determines how long irritation will last and how visible the bite appears.

HONEY: Sweeten yourself out of the swelling. Honey is anti-inflammatory and also you’ll be less tempted to scratch if you’ll get your paw all sticky doing so.

CITRUS: Lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, it all works here. These fresh fruity healers are antibacterial and anti-itch. Woot woot! Feel free to make a mixture with water or simply apply a lemon slice directly to your skin.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Yes, our beloved ACV works for nearly anything…seriously what doesn’t it do? You can apply the vinegar directly to the bites or mix 10 to 12 drops in a bath if your body has become a feeding ground for hungry skeeters.

MINT: All varieties of mint help with swelling and itching feelings. This is because the brain picks up on the cooling tingly feeling that menthol creates much more quickly than the itchy feeling. Even minty tooth paste works for this trick—just dab where needed. Itchy all over? Shower with Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint soap and you’ll be sure to find relief.

COLD TEA BAGS: Green or black tea works especially well. Cold (wet) tea bags reduce swelling in morning eyes and in itchy bites. The tea bags will absorb the fluid from a bite, which reduces itching.

ICE THE ITCH: No jumping through hoops this time—this tip is so simple, you truly don’t need anything special. Grab something cold out of your freezer and hold it on the bitten spot for 15 minutes and repeat every hour as is necessary. This will reduce the swelling and numb the itchy area.

LAVENDER: Lavender works as a home-made bug spray and an after-bite. Mix some lavender essential oil in a spray bottle with water and you’ll have a multi-purpose spritzer for all summer long. Plus, it reduces stress and has been proven to make you feel more serene and beautiful.

MILK: Simple and effective. Mix cold milk with water and using a small cloth, dab the mixture all over the affected area. I promise you’ll feel as soothed as a baby drinking her mothers milk (ok, ok, maybe not that soothed).

BASIL: Last but not least, our favorite pesto ingredient. Basil has been shown to repel mosquitos and work as an anti-inflammatory. Rub a basil leaf over the bite and it’ll stop itching, 9 times out of 10. Otherwise, you’ll smell delicious and perhaps inspire some Italian cooking.

Following these tips is as easy as walking to your kitchen and you won’t have to buy any of those mysterious creams from the drug store that claim to vanish the itch with god knows what. Make your own bug repellent and itch relief concoctions from the comfort of home. If you’re looking for a quick fix, Eco by Sonya just released an Outdoor Spray that smells fresh and wonderful. Have you ever tried any at home remedies for pesky bites? Let me know in the comments below.