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.
Conventional personal bug sprays often contain chemicals like DEET, which is known to be dangerous. Even adults have become ill or died from exposure to this chemical, and it is considered unsafe for children by many authorities. It's approved for family use by government watchdogs, however, so many people use sprays that contain it. Often, they don't know the danger, or they just might not think they have an alternative.
There are many brands of all-natural, chemical-free repellents on the market. You can find sprays, topical lotions, sticks that you rub on, and pre-treated wipes. Some contain sunscreen for added protection. These products are very effective on garden and woodland pests, and they smell good, too. There are special formulas for infants and small children; basically they use the same herbs but they're not as strong.
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.
For children or adults with sensitive skin, spray the repellent on clothing or hats instead of directly on skin. Most people can spray a dilution of oils on, however, without irritation. Spraying your ankles while sitting outdoors keeps pesky mosquitoes and flies away. You can even rub fresh leaves of mint or lemon balm on your face and arms if you want to do a little early-morning weeding.
Once you use a natural repellent, whether one you buy or one you make yourself, you will never want to go back to chemicals. People even use them for pets, to keep fleas, ticks, flies, and mosquitoes away. An all-natural bug spray will make summertime better than ever.
Conventional personal bug sprays often contain chemicals like DEET, which is known to be dangerous. Even adults have become ill or died from exposure to this chemical, and it is considered unsafe for children by many authorities. It's approved for family use by government watchdogs, however, so many people use sprays that contain it. Often, they don't know the danger, or they just might not think they have an alternative.
There are many brands of all-natural, chemical-free repellents on the market. You can find sprays, topical lotions, sticks that you rub on, and pre-treated wipes. Some contain sunscreen for added protection. These products are very effective on garden and woodland pests, and they smell good, too. There are special formulas for infants and small children; basically they use the same herbs but they're not as strong.
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.
For children or adults with sensitive skin, spray the repellent on clothing or hats instead of directly on skin. Most people can spray a dilution of oils on, however, without irritation. Spraying your ankles while sitting outdoors keeps pesky mosquitoes and flies away. You can even rub fresh leaves of mint or lemon balm on your face and arms if you want to do a little early-morning weeding.
Once you use a natural repellent, whether one you buy or one you make yourself, you will never want to go back to chemicals. People even use them for pets, to keep fleas, ticks, flies, and mosquitoes away. An all-natural bug spray will make summertime better than ever.
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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.