Unfortunately, with the warmer weather come a few uninvited guests: mosquitoes, black flies, spiders, fleas, and other creatures whose bites and stings can be very irritating. All over the country, mosquitoes are running rampant at BBQs, baseball games, and outdoor concerts. Mowing the lawn is almost considered hazardous when black flies and fleas are at their worst. And a simple walk in the woods must be followed up with a thorough inspection for ticks that carry Lyme disease.
Avoiding Chemicals on Your Skin
Each day more conclusions are being drawn that harsh chemicals can be linked to physical illness. Suppose you were to read the precautionary statements found on the labels of popular, commercially available chemical-based bug sprays. In that case, you might think twice about using these products on your skin. Fortunately, there are plenty of non-toxic or less harmful alternatives. They’re even simple and inexpensive to make.
Natural Insect Repellent Recipe
For your own, easy-to-make formula to keep the bugs at bay, try this recipe:
“Fend Off” Herbal Oil Insect Repellent
This recipe can act as a gentle all-purpose body moisturizing oil because the ingredients are so soothing to the skin. It’s best to use it twice a day when bugs are at their worst. Mountain Rose Herbs is an excellent resource for the ingredients in this recipe. Your local health food store can be a reliable option as well. And, of course, if you’d instead buy a pre-made product, there are plenty of options on the market.
[wps_box title=”Ingredients:” title_color=”#FFFFFF” box_color=”#333333″ radius=”0″]
- cup soybean base oil (Note: This oil has natural bug-repellant properties.)
- 15 drops each of the following essential oils: lemongrass; geranium; catnip
- 10 drops basil or Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil[/wps_box]
Homemade Spray Repellent
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- Add all ingredients directly to a storage container.
- Shake the mixture vigorously to blend. Allow the oil to synergize for 1 hour.
- No refrigeration is required, but please use it within 6 to 12 months for maximum bug-repelling freshness and potency. [/wps_box]
Another tip to consider when heading outdoors is fragrance: insects are particularly attracted to perfumes, lotions, scented deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, or aftershaves, so it’s best to avoid these products if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outside.
No Bite Me Repellent
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Natural Itch and Sting Relief
Insects may be small, but their bites can deliver a hefty dose of itchy, inflamed misery! To counteract this discomfort, many natural remedies work amazingly well. Use a simple baking soda and water paste immediately to bites and leave for at least an hour. For an anti-itch spray, add 1 cup baking soda to running lukewarm water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a drop of lavender or tea tree essential oil straight onto each bite to reduce infection and help prevent contamination. Prepare a solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts water, and wash the irritated area. Redo this procedure numerous times until the itching decreases in intensity.
Use a drop of neem base oil to each bite. Neem is a naturally cooling oil with antibacterial characteristics. It cures many types of skin irritations.
Choose a Healthier Option
When you consider that 65% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream, it’s essential to stop and think before you spray yourself with harsh chemicals, especially when there are healthier options.
