Oh the joys of summer… the barbecues, the bugs, the days at the beach, the bugs, the fireworks, the bugs. All that bug spray adds up to a hefty dose of chemicals for you and your family. Use one of these tried-and-true natural ways to keep the bugs away and reduce the chemicals touching your summer skin.
By the time you end a long day of hiking, biking or sitting poolside, you may find yourself itching and scratching at those pesky bug bites already welting on your skin. Or maybe a fearless stream of ants has invaded your family barbecue and bees are swarming Aunt Millie’s fruit bowl, keeping guests from enjoying seconds. If you are using chemical sprays, lotions and candles to combat all these bugs, you are inhaling far too many toxic fumes for one summer. Try these natural tips and organic products to keep away all those annoying insects this summer.
Ants
Ingredients that repel:
- Cinnamon: Sprinkle cinnamon around an area you are trying to keep the ants from reaching. They will avoid the line of spice at any cost.
- Basil or mint: Try potted basil or mint around your yard or on your windowsill. The aroma alone will keep the ants away.
- Vinegar: Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and have it on hand when the ants appear. Misting an area with vinegar will repel the ants immediately.
Product that protects:
If your ant problem is bad enough that you are thinking of spraying insecticides, try EcoSMART Ant & Roach Killer. Made with natural plant oils, it is much safer for you and the environment.
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Bees and wasps
Ingredients that repel:
- Tea tree oil: Said to be one of the best natural ways to repel bees and wasps, you can dab a bit of tea tree oil on yourself or on any area you would like the bees avoid.
- Baby powder: While not the most natural of substances, baby powder is better than the chemicals in sprays that are marketed to keep away insects. Sprinkling it around an area should keep you free and clear from bees.
Product that protects:
The Non-Toxic Glass Wasp Trap from Eartheasy is not only safe and effective, but it is actually pretty, too.
Flies
Ingredients that repel:
- Cloves: Use a lemon, orange or apple and poke cloves into the surface of the fruit. Place in any area where the flies are bothersome, and they won’t even come close.
- Bay leaf: Whether you grow bay leaf outside or buy dried bay leaves, this herb provides great protection from flies. It’s also great to have near food and can be brought indoors in the winter to protect your cupboards as well.
- Lavender: The amazing smell of lavender isn’t so pleasant to flies. Add it to food you are serving or plant it in your garden to keep the bugs at bay.
Product that protects:
Eartheasy sells the Flies Be Gone Non-Toxic Fly Trap. You can hang it in any area you would like to keep from flies and not worry about any chemicals looming in the air.
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Mosquitoes
Ingredients that repel:
- Basil, mint and rosemary: A great technique to try is steeping any combination of these herbs in hot water and then keeping the concoction in a spray bottle in your refrigerator. You can bring it out on those buggy nights and spray it on your skin as needed.
- Citronella plants: We’ve all tried the faithful citronella candle but what about citronella plants? Try placing the potted variety on your porch for an alternative to the diluted version in candles.
- B-1: This may sound strange, but many avid outdoorsmen (and women) swear by taking vitamin B-1 to keep mosquitoes away.
Product that protects:
Badger Balm creates a great-smelling product to repel those bothersome mosquitoes called Anti-Bug Balm that is safe to use on kids as well as adults.
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