Being outdoors in summer is wonderful - unless gnats, mosquitoes, ticks, and Yellow Jackets are keeping you company. Bug sprays are almost a necessity, but millions prefer to keep their personal space free of chemicals. Essential oil insect repellent is the answer, and you can either buy it ready-made or make it yourself.
The chemicals in conventional bug sprays have always been suspect, and the current favorite DEET (developed by the Army to protect soldiers in swampy regions) has many cautions on its label. It's approved by the government for personal use, but there are multiple cases of toxic reactions, especially among children but also among sensitive adults. Many people fail to realize that there are safe, natural alternatives to chemical-infused sprays.
Check online for prepared formulas that use essential oils of herbs to keep biting and stinging insects away. These sprays or topicals (rub-on sticks or pre-soaked wipes) work well for the bugs you'll encounter in house, garden, or recreational area. They are pleasant-smelling and effective.
You can also make your own with essential oils (volatile oils naturally found in plants that are isolated by one of a number of extraction methods) and some simple carrier solutions. Although some hard-to-collect oils might be expensive, there are many that you can buy that are affordable. There are several diluting solutions you can use, including water, witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, and apple cider vinegar.
Essentials can be expensive, but some of the best for bug sprays are surprisingly affordable. You use 10 to 30 drops of one or more in the solution. Experiment to find how strong a mixture you need. Gnats are fairly easy to keep off, as are mosquitoes. For ticks, you probably want a stronger oil, like tea tree or pennyroyal, and you may need to use 30 to 50 drops.
Popular, affordable, and easy-to-get oils include peppermint, citronella, rosemary, lavender, cedar, lemongrass, and lemon balm. You can add vanilla and clove to the formula if you like those scents; they smell good to us but not to bugs. You will enjoy using these fragrant sprays, and you don't have to hold your breath after spraying them on. To keep ticks off your dog, try using tea tree oil, either full strength rubbed on a thick coat or diluted with water and vinegar. This keeps fleas away, as well, making a trip to the dog park less risky.
It might be a good idea to spray your hat rather than your face to keep gnats off, to spray your trousers when walking in brush to repel ticks, and to spray children's clothing rather than putting it directly on skin. Most people, however, find that the recommended mixes are non-irritating when applied directly, like to your ankles when sitting outdoors in the evening. People often rub the fresh herb on themselves in a pinch, using a few leaves of lemon balm or catnip to keep pesky gnats away when they want to pull a few weeds on an early morning walk in the garden.
Try a natural repellent. You'll like it. And - you'll know you and your family, as well as the environment, are healthier for it. A mix of fragrant oils will help make summertime more enjoyable than ever.
The chemicals in conventional bug sprays have always been suspect, and the current favorite DEET (developed by the Army to protect soldiers in swampy regions) has many cautions on its label. It's approved by the government for personal use, but there are multiple cases of toxic reactions, especially among children but also among sensitive adults. Many people fail to realize that there are safe, natural alternatives to chemical-infused sprays.
Check online for prepared formulas that use essential oils of herbs to keep biting and stinging insects away. These sprays or topicals (rub-on sticks or pre-soaked wipes) work well for the bugs you'll encounter in house, garden, or recreational area. They are pleasant-smelling and effective.
You can also make your own with essential oils (volatile oils naturally found in plants that are isolated by one of a number of extraction methods) and some simple carrier solutions. Although some hard-to-collect oils might be expensive, there are many that you can buy that are affordable. There are several diluting solutions you can use, including water, witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, and apple cider vinegar.
Essentials can be expensive, but some of the best for bug sprays are surprisingly affordable. You use 10 to 30 drops of one or more in the solution. Experiment to find how strong a mixture you need. Gnats are fairly easy to keep off, as are mosquitoes. For ticks, you probably want a stronger oil, like tea tree or pennyroyal, and you may need to use 30 to 50 drops.
Popular, affordable, and easy-to-get oils include peppermint, citronella, rosemary, lavender, cedar, lemongrass, and lemon balm. You can add vanilla and clove to the formula if you like those scents; they smell good to us but not to bugs. You will enjoy using these fragrant sprays, and you don't have to hold your breath after spraying them on. To keep ticks off your dog, try using tea tree oil, either full strength rubbed on a thick coat or diluted with water and vinegar. This keeps fleas away, as well, making a trip to the dog park less risky.
It might be a good idea to spray your hat rather than your face to keep gnats off, to spray your trousers when walking in brush to repel ticks, and to spray children's clothing rather than putting it directly on skin. Most people, however, find that the recommended mixes are non-irritating when applied directly, like to your ankles when sitting outdoors in the evening. People often rub the fresh herb on themselves in a pinch, using a few leaves of lemon balm or catnip to keep pesky gnats away when they want to pull a few weeds on an early morning walk in the garden.
Try a natural repellent. You'll like it. And - you'll know you and your family, as well as the environment, are healthier for it. A mix of fragrant oils will help make summertime more enjoyable than ever.
About the Author:
Find an overview of the benefits of using an essential oil insect repellent and view our selection of essential oils at http://www.paulopolis.com/product/petitgrain-orange-essential-oil-2-oz right now.
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