bug off!!!!

Tis the season...uuuggghhhh! We have already begun being harassed by mosquitoes, ticks and ants to name a few, I love being outside with my family from dawn to dusk but how can we survive the pesky pests without poisoning ourselves?

Not only do synthetic repellents contaminate the earth, they cause harm to people, especially the delicate skin of babies and children. If repellents are killing bugs what are they doing to the person applying them? Which is worse though, chemicals leaching into my babies blood stream or the threat of west nile virus, lyme disease, or worse?

Check out these awesome ideas for some natural deterrents and even some things to avoid that will actually attract those buggers.

The number one most wanted offender...the MOSQUITO.

These natural products will effectively repel mosquitoes, but they require more frequent reapplication (at least every 2 hours) and higher concentrations then traditional DEET. Try making your own natural mosquito repellant with essential oils. Simply put a few drops of any of the following essential oils in a handful of the carrier oil (mosquitoes are obsessive about keeping their wings grease-free) and spread it on you. Some oils, like tea tree oil, olive oil, almond or jojoba can be applied straight on to your skin. NEVER use STRAIGHT essential oils on your skin.

Citronella Oil
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Cinnamon Oil
Castor Oil
Rosemary Oil
Lemongrass Oil
Cedar Oil
Peppermint Oil
Clove Oil
Geranium Oil
Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic

If you already have mosquito bites, try a little tea tree oil directly on the bites. It is a great remedy.

Also try these ideas for while outdoors:

Stay in the breeze. Mosquitoes can fly only eight m.p.h., so it doesn't take much to waft them away and
the more we sweat, breathe and agitate, the more Mosquitoes we will attract and from a farther distance.

Choose a high sunny location. Mosquitoes dehydrates easily.

Wear long, loose-fitting clothing. White masks your silhouette in the open, blue and red are the
worst; mosquitoes mistake it for flowering plants from which they draw food.

STAY AWAY FROM...

Dark Clothing- Many mosquitoes use vision to locate hosts from a distance. Dark clothes and
foliage are initial attractants

Carbon Dioxide- You give off more carbon dioxide when you are hot or have been exercising. A
burning candle or other fire is another source of carbon dioxide.

Floral or Fruity Fragrances

Moisture





The number two offender...the TICK.

There really is not as much offered for tick repellents, however some great ideas for tick control and tick bite prevention are:

Tuck in your socks to keep those stinky critters from crawling up and hiding, also put on some light colored clothing, the light clothing again masks you.

Mowing your lawn will help get rid of ticks, ticks prefer to stay stealth in high, thick grass so they can hijack a ride on unsuspecting traffic.

Palmerosa as well as Rose Geranium oils can be applied to your dog's collar or combined with a moisturizing lotion like cocoa butter or aloe, and applied to your skin as well to help prevent tick infestations.

Most UN-wanted criminal number three is the ANT.

Try these simple, homemade remedies to keep ants at bay, but remember to keep them away from kids. Although these deterrents are natural some are not for human consumption.

Keep ants from crawling up a picnic table by standing each leg in a small pan of water.

To kill ants, use a paste of equal parts of borax and confectioner sugar.

Leave a few tea bags of mint tea near areas where the ants seem most active. Dry, crushed mint leaves, mint essential oils or cloves also work as ant deterrents.


HOT TIP...

Use banana peels to repel fleas.

Check out some great planting ideas for around your home and yard to keep bugs at bay.

Basil - plant close to the house and it will repel mosquitoes.
Lavender - plant around the house to repel flies and mosquitoes.
Castor Bean Plant - plant in pots within the house; replant outdoors to repel mozzies.
Scented Geraniums - plant in pots and the garden to repel mosquitoes
Citrosa Plants - plant in pots and the garden to repel mosquitoes
Lemon Thyme - plant in pots to repel mosquitoes
Citronella Grass - plant in pots to repel mosquitoes
Common Marigold - plant in pots and the garden to repel mosquitoes
Thai Lemon Grass - (Cymbopogon citratus) is an effective mosquito repellent.
Rosemary - powdered Rosemary leaves are used as a flea and tick repellent
Chamomile - repels mosquitoes
Citriodora - repels mosquitoes

But the BEST tip to repel troublesome insects and even the pesky husband...FRESH GARLIC!!! This miracle spice comes up with every bit of research I do for deterrents so chomp away.

Good luck and enjoy the great outdoors in a FABULOUS, healthy way!!!