Summer may be nice, but, alas, it is also the favored season of the Earth’s multitude of creepies-crawlies. This army of insects is just itching to stick, poke, bite, sting, and scratch you. Even for those committed to using only natural skin and health products, it can be tempting to bring out the big guns. But before you reach for the DEET, you should know that there is an alternative. That’s right—it’s possible to be both bug and chemical-free.
Since the 1950s, synthetic repellents like DEET and picaridin have been standard ingredients in mass-market bug sprays. It’s cheap, easy to manufacture, and effective. However, despite its widespread use, questions persist about the chemical’s safety. Now, to be clear, the use of synthetic repellents like DEET is surely safer than risking malaria, yellow fever, or one of the other dangerous diseases that are potentially carried by mosquitos in tropical areas. If these diseases are present near you, it’s best to consult with an expert before deciding to use alternative repellents.
For those of us living in more temperate climes, however, a potent chemical like DEET might be overkill. What’s more—there’s evidence that extended exposure to DEET “can impair functioning in parts of the brain and could result in problems with muscle coordination, muscle weakness, walking or even memory and cognition”. So, the next time you go camping somewhere where you don’t need to worry about contracting West Nile virus, why not try one of these natural alternatives?
One of the best natural ways to keep the bugs off is to use essential oils and the best for this purpose is Lemon Eucalyptus Oil. This isn’t just your mama’s natural remedy: LEO is approved by the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention for use as an insect repellent, and scientific studies have demonstrated its efficacy.
Create your own Lemon Eucalyptus Oil repellent by mixing one part LEO with ten parts neutral oil or witch hazel (we recommend you use organic oils or witch hazel, of course) to make a bug spray. Which neutral oil you decide upon is up to you and your specific tastes: jojoba oil, coconut oil, rapeseed, or even plain old olive oil can do the trick, as all four have extra nourishing properties for the skin. An important note: it’s not recommended to use this ingredient on small children under 3 years of age, as they can have severe allergic reactions to LEO, including difficulty breathing.
While Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is the best of the bunch, many natural essential oils have insect repelling properties. This is because the plants themselves often evolved to produce the oils as a way of protecting themselves from insects. Each of the oils has its own advantages and applications, and you can even experiment with a mixture of oils. These oils include:
Note: Never use 100% pure essentials oils on your skin, always use a dilution. As a general rule for skin applications, use no more than a 5% of an essential oil, and mix it with either a carrier oil for smearing on the skin, or a flower water such as witch hazel if you intend to create a bug spray.
Bonus: they smell great! Try a mixture of cinnamon, cedar, and clove oils for a Christmas-scented essence, or lemongrass and geranium oils for a more flowery smell.
One of the better known natural repellents is lemony-scented citronella. Citronella is used in all different types of products, from sprays and lotions to soaps and even candles and incense. Citronella’s usage started in the famously mosquito-plagued Caribbean Sea and spread around the world because of its success. Because it smells a bit like lemon candy, it can be a great option for people who have children, who might not cooperate with some of the stronger-scented remedies here.
Obviously, it’s not an option to carry a lavender bush around with you everywhere, but if you’re the type of person who spends a lot of time in your backyard slapping at mosquitoes, planting a lavender bush can be a great way to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes in the area. The insects are naturally repelled by the lavender’s scent: simply crush up some flowers in your hand and rub them on your exposed skin. It smells great, and mosquitoes hate it. What’s not to like?
Lavender tends to bloom at exactly the times of year that mosquitoes tend to be the worst, and the plant itself grows like a weed—you’ll never run out of sweet-smelling bouquets to gift to friends and family.
While it’s true that mixing essential oils and rubbing flowers on yourself like a medieval alchemist can be fun, sometimes you need a natural insect repellent without the bother. Eco Cosmetics is here to help: their Anti-Midge repellent is made with all-natural jojoba oil, which has the added benefit of being great for your skin. It has a light, cinnamon-y scent, and is suitable for use on children and sensitive skin as well. Natural insect repellents are all around us. It turns out that we humans aren’t the first ones to be bothered by bugs. Indeed, nature has been scheming to find ways to get rid of them for far longer than we have. So, put away the DEET and sample nature’s bounty—you’re bound to find a remedy that works for you.
Unfortunately, mosquitoes are just the annoying tip of the horrible iceberg that is the insect kingdom. We’re talking about a separate class of vampire bugs—less visible, but all the more insidious for it. Ticks. Not to scare you, but these little blood-bags can be legitimately dangerous. Though they are associated with spreading many diseases, in Western countries they are most often associated with Lyme disease.
Important note on disease prevention: A tick must be attached for longer than 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease. In the event of a tick bite, there is a specific procedure to follow. You can find details on what to do after you’re bitten by a tick here.
As with mosquitoes, most people use DEET or picaridin to repel ticks. But the problem is the same: exposure to these harsh chemicals should be limited.
Luckily, there’s a natural solution to the tick problem: Rose Geranium Oil. It seems that ticks hate it. There are two types of Rose Geranium Oil. To get the best effect, make sure you’re purchasing oil made from the Pelargonium capitatum x radens plant. While oil from Pelargonium graveolens may still repel ticks, the effect is diminished.
Note on pet safety: dogs have sensitive noses and the scent of Rose Geranium Oil is very powerful, so if you’re applying the oil to your canine pal, a drop near the base of her tail and another between the shoulders should suffice to repel ticks. Also note that cats are allergic to many essential oils, so it’s best to check with a veterinarian before administering this natural remedy on your feline friend.
Making tick repellent at home couldn’t be easier. Simply apply a few drops (use sparingly: this stuff is powerful) to your wrists, ankles, and the back of your neck. Since ticks often hang out in tall grass, a drop at the back of each knee is also advisable if you’re wearing a skirt or shorts.
Unlike some essential oils, Rose Geranium Oil is gentle and can be applied directly to the skin, though its smell can be quite strong, so apply sparingly. There is even evidence that it can improve skin health. You can also add a bit of Rose Geranium Oil to any of the other homemade mosquito repellents. Just add a small amount of Rose Geranium Oil to a wholesome neutral oil, such as jojoba, coconut, or even olive oil. This can be put in a spray bottle and rubbed gently into the skin.
What are your experiences with natural insect repellents? Share your tips and recipes in the comments below!
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Can you tell me where I can find Rose Geranium oil (Pelargonium Capitatum x Radens)?
