Bug sprays are big business today. People like to go outside, sit around the pool or the campfire, work in the garden, and enjoy their animals without pesky insects crashing the party. However, many petroleum-based and other chemical-infused products have side effects to people and the environment. Those who want less pollution for themselves, their households, and their planet can use essential oil insect repellent instead.
In the old days, newly discovered insecticides were embraced and used enthusiastically. Perhaps the most notorious was DDT, hailed as the answer to plagues of bed bugs, mosquitoes, and the coddling moth that was destroying apple orchards. Many other bugs succumbed to this powerful poison.
Other insects attacked crops; other pesticides were developed. Meanwhile, many bird populations declined, some almost to the point of extinction. It was discovered that birds eating DDT-laden bugs produced eggshells so fragile that they broke in the nest. Fish and other wildlife were endangered, too. Environmentalists rose up in protest. DDT was banned.
Many repellents on the market today have ingredients that are considered carcinogens. The good news is that the volatile oils of plants are effective repellents and bug killers. If you have spiders in the basement or mosquitoes on the patio, go online and find out how to make your own sprays and topical lotions. You can also buy ready-made formulas to keep bugs away from people and animals.
Essential oils should seldom be used full-strength. For insect sprays, you can add up to fifty drops of one or a combination of oils to a mixture of one part witch hazel to two parts water. You can also add the oil to water mixed with vodka. (Alcohol can be drying to the skin, so you could also add half an ounce of jojoba oil.) Leave room in the spray bottle for the shaking which is necessary before every use, since the oils will separate out.
Instead of water, you can use a carrier oil. Sunflower, extra-virgin olive oil, apricot kernel, and fractionated coconut oil are all good carrier oils. An oil-based insecticide is good when you need a long-lasting effect; for instance, you can rub a tea tree oil mix on your dog to repel fleas and ticks. A fragrant oil is great for moisturizing summer-dry skin while also keeping biting insects away.
Many of the fragrant oils you are familiar with repel mosquitoes; citronella is one of the best known. Horseflies keep off when you use tansy, thyme, peppermint, and cedar wood. Lemon eucalyptus may be harder to find, but it's said to be the most effective against the most different kinds of bugs. For ticks, use tea tree oil. Gnats don't like the mints, eucalyptus, or citronella. You can help keep them away by spraying your hat, sticking a few springs of mint or lemon balm in your hatband, and rubbing the leaves of any of these herbs on your face and arms.
Plants produce these volatile oils to repel pests, as well as to attract pollinators. Other good oils include clove, grapefruit, lemon, pine, rosemary, and cinnamon. Peppermint oil applied full strength to the corners of basement and garage space keeps spiders out. Experiment to find your favorite oils.
In the old days, newly discovered insecticides were embraced and used enthusiastically. Perhaps the most notorious was DDT, hailed as the answer to plagues of bed bugs, mosquitoes, and the coddling moth that was destroying apple orchards. Many other bugs succumbed to this powerful poison.
Other insects attacked crops; other pesticides were developed. Meanwhile, many bird populations declined, some almost to the point of extinction. It was discovered that birds eating DDT-laden bugs produced eggshells so fragile that they broke in the nest. Fish and other wildlife were endangered, too. Environmentalists rose up in protest. DDT was banned.
Many repellents on the market today have ingredients that are considered carcinogens. The good news is that the volatile oils of plants are effective repellents and bug killers. If you have spiders in the basement or mosquitoes on the patio, go online and find out how to make your own sprays and topical lotions. You can also buy ready-made formulas to keep bugs away from people and animals.
Essential oils should seldom be used full-strength. For insect sprays, you can add up to fifty drops of one or a combination of oils to a mixture of one part witch hazel to two parts water. You can also add the oil to water mixed with vodka. (Alcohol can be drying to the skin, so you could also add half an ounce of jojoba oil.) Leave room in the spray bottle for the shaking which is necessary before every use, since the oils will separate out.
Instead of water, you can use a carrier oil. Sunflower, extra-virgin olive oil, apricot kernel, and fractionated coconut oil are all good carrier oils. An oil-based insecticide is good when you need a long-lasting effect; for instance, you can rub a tea tree oil mix on your dog to repel fleas and ticks. A fragrant oil is great for moisturizing summer-dry skin while also keeping biting insects away.
Many of the fragrant oils you are familiar with repel mosquitoes; citronella is one of the best known. Horseflies keep off when you use tansy, thyme, peppermint, and cedar wood. Lemon eucalyptus may be harder to find, but it's said to be the most effective against the most different kinds of bugs. For ticks, use tea tree oil. Gnats don't like the mints, eucalyptus, or citronella. You can help keep them away by spraying your hat, sticking a few springs of mint or lemon balm in your hatband, and rubbing the leaves of any of these herbs on your face and arms.
Plants produce these volatile oils to repel pests, as well as to attract pollinators. Other good oils include clove, grapefruit, lemon, pine, rosemary, and cinnamon. Peppermint oil applied full strength to the corners of basement and garage space keeps spiders out. Experiment to find your favorite oils.
About the Author:
Find a list of the benefits you get when you use an essential oil insect repellent and view our selection of essential oils at http://www.paulopolis.com/product/petitgrain-orange-essential-oil-2-oz now.