8 Lesser-Known Natural Bug Repellents that may Work When the weather is warm, everyone wants to spend time outdoors, but no one wants to hang out with mosquitoes or other annoying bugs. In an effort to deter insects from feasting on our flesh, many people coat themselves in various sprays and lotions loaded with potentially dangerous toxins. Fortunately, you don’t have to opt for these chemical baths; there are natural alternatives. Insect-Repellent Plants You can make your yard less pleasant for insects and send them packing by incorporating deterrent plants. Try citronella plant (often called a mosquito plant) in a pot on your patio, or marigolds and lemon balm around your garden area. Catnip is another good plant to add to your landscaping. One study from Iowa State University indicated catnip was 10 times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitos. Apply Natural Repellents to Your Skin Essential oils can often be great natural mosquito repellents, either used in lotions or diluted and sprayed on. Natural Mosquito Repellent – 1. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Lemon eucalyptus is possibly one of the most well-known and widely recognized natural solutions for repelling mosquitoes. Whether you can find the plant to keep around your home or the essential oil to apply to pulse points, the more you can keep this scent around, the fewer pests you’ll see. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (notoriously anti-natural solutions) has even admitted the plant is as effective as DEET (used in traditional bug sprays) in mosquito repelling. You can find natural bug-repelling products with lemon eucalyptus in it or you can make your own with the essential oil and a carrier oil like jojoba. 2. Catnip Yes, catnip isn’t only for cats. As I wrote about a few weeks ago, this easily grown herb has many useful medicinal and household applications—including being used as a natural mosquito repellent. Researchers with Iowa State University found it to be 10 times more effective than DEET. Because it’s a prolific grower, putting some catnip in pots around your patio can help ward off the little bugs. Also, you can simply rub the oils from the leaves on your skin. This is one of 5 homemade mosquito repellents we posted earlier. 3. Lemongrass Lemongrass is also known as citronella, and while you can find citronella candles and oils, the plant is just as or even more effective. It’s a beautiful grass and can add landscaping interest to your yard or is great in large pots. Its effects are far-reaching, not only for repelling mosquitoes, but other bothersome bugs too. Change Your Diet Mosquitos are attracted to the odors your body produces. Warm bodies produce more alluring scents and put off more carbon dioxide. NBC News says this is why mosquitos really like pregnant women or anyone who is outdoors and working out. It’s time to use some homemade mosquito repellent. The Mayo Clinic reports that adding vitamin B-1 could change your scent to make you less appetizing to mosquitoes. Eating more garlic is also said to be effective at deterring bugs (and vampires). NBC News reports you may also want to reconsider that summer brew—mosquitoes are more attracted to people after someone drinks one can of beer. For the most part, we have to learn to coexist with insects in the summer, though taking a few steps to dissuade them from biting could make your summer season more bearable without requiring you to slather yourself in unknown chemicals.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:38:52 +0000
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