Poisons aren’t the only answer when it comes to making your skin unappetizing to bugs. There are some natural remedies that you can use to repel noisy and bothersome insects without taking a chance on chemical-induced repellents.
Especially when you’re considering putting poisons like DEET on your child’s skin, it’s beneficial to look at alternative methods to protect your skin from bug bites. Here are a few ways you can keep obnoxious insects from invading your home – and your body:
Ants – Place mint tea bags or crushed cloves near the ants’ starting point. Spray the ants with a small amount of soapy water. Draw a line of chalk at the ants’ entry point. The ants won’t cross the line. If ants are attacking your trees, wrap the trunk with paper and then put “sticky goo” (purchased at a gardening center) on the paper.
Fleas – Spray cedar oil spray, sprayed on carpets, floors and in your pet’s bedding. d-Limonene, produced by the citrus industry, can be sprayed safely to prevent fleas.
Diatomaceous earth or powdered pyrethrum (purchased at an herb shop) can be sprinkled on your pet’s clean bedding and carpets in your home. Herbs such as rosemary, citronella, wormwood and pennyroyal are natural treatments for fleas.
Mosquitoes – Rubbing alcohol, applied to the skin, can repel mosquitoes. Plant marigolds at your entrance and around a deck or patio. Clove oil is effective against mosquitoes, but use it sparingly as it may irritate the skin. Citronella (rose geranium), eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender and cedar oil are some of the most common insect repellents.
Flies – Citronella, diluted in oil (such as almond oil) can be rubbed on your skin to keep almost any flying insects away. Herbs such as basil, mint and tansy repel flies. The smell of pennyroyal oil is effective in repelling flies.
Mix a combination of white wine vinegar and water and add some or all of the herbs, citronella, eucalyptus, lavender or tea tree oils. Then, add to a liquid detergent in a spray bottle and shake well.
Try some of these home remedies to repel insects before purchasing the more expensive and extremely harmful products that contain poisonous chemicals. The natural way is the best way to go for ourselves, our loved ones and our planet.
