What Should You Avoid?
With summer on its way, the bugs are back out and many people are concerned about West Nile Virus and want to keep the insects away. By now, most of you have likely heard that DEET (found in most insect repellants) isn’t all that good for you. Studies have shown that DEET disrupts the nervous system and is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. This is definitely one ingredient you want to avoid!
Many insect repellants also come in aerosol cans, which is not only bad for the environment, but causes you to breathe in more of the product. Try to look for spray bottles instead.
What Do We Recommend?
There are many essential oils that have been shown to repel insects, including lemongrass, peppermint, geranium, cinnamon, tea tree, and lavender. These products, while effective, last for shorter periods than DEET repellants and will likely need to be reapplied multiple times throughout the day (if you’re spending all day outside).
An easy way to avoid getting bitten is to wear long sleeve shirts and pants during the evening when the bugs are most active. Keep an eye on water sources such as bird baths, buckets, and puddles in the yard – stagnant water is the most common place for mosquitoes to breed. Be sure to change water regularly and fill any puddles with dirt.
Which Products Have We Found?
Herbal Armor Insect Repellant
Homemade insect repellant spray:
10 drops catnip
10 drops citronella or lemongrass
5 drops cedarwood
5 drops lavender
5 drops tea tree
Mix with 60 mL of distilled water in a spray bottle. Shake before each use and avoid eye contact. Alternatively, the essential oil blend can be used in a base oil and used as a repellent lotion. (Found in Alive Magazine http://www.alive.com/articles/view/20192/natures_essentials)