It's no fun to get covered in bug bites, but it's also not ideal to use chemical insect repellents. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, accidentally breathing or swallowing DEET can cause serious problems.Instead, I recommend these 10 natural and harmless ways to keep insects off your body, as well as out of your home.
Don't Let Insects Mistake You For a Meal!
It's best not to smell delectable when spending time outdoors. According to the Reduce Sweating to Avoid Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes and other insects that feed off of animals, including humans, are attracted to the scent of sweat. So, it's common sense to use antiperspirant to keep sweating to a minimum.However, there is a neat tip you can use in addition to this. Avoid eating high levels of salt and potassium for about 24 hours before your outdoor trip.This is because consuming lots of these minerals increases your sweat's lactic acid content. According to the Keep Ants at Bay with Vinegar
White vinegar is a good natural ant repellent, according to Pest Kill. Put some in a clean spray bottle and lightly spritz any areas in your house where ants are particularly fond of hanging out. This works best for non-porous surfaces like countertops.The vinegar should have little to no odor once it has dried completely. If the smell persists, use a mixture of half water and half vinegar instead.
Use Eucalyptus for a Natural Solution
According to Use Fragrant Cedar Wood
According to Sidewalk Chalk?
Strangely, the common chalk used for sidewalks and blackboards is another Citrus Peels: Spider Repellent, Not Garbage!
Next time you peel an orange or any other citrus fruit, save the peel. Rub the inside thoroughly on any areas where you often see spiders lurking.Although it works on any hard surface, it's especially nifty for wood as the oils in the citrus peels make a natural furniture polish.Do this regularly to keep the aroma fresh, and you should see fewer and fewer spiders in your house.
Citronella Is Great For General Insect Shooing
Though it doesn't repel insects per se, you can stop various types of insects from being attracted to you or your home with citronella essential oil, according to Use Rosemary as an All-Natural Herbal Repellent
According to Erika Yigzaw of the American College of Healthcare Sciences, one scientific study compared the effectiveness of 21 different essential oils against wasps. Not all oils were effective, and rosemary was counted among the effective oils.The ways you can use Clove Oil Does The Trick
The same study I mentioned that found rosemary to be effective against wasps also found that clove oil works. However, clove oil may also be particularly effective for dispelling houseflies. What great news for summertime when flies tend to run rampant!You might be able to increase the effectiveness of any anti-insect essential oil by blending it with a few others that have the same purpose. This video will tell you more about how to make essential oil bug sprays.
Get Rid of Insects In Your Home Naturally
Test these tricks out and see the number of bugs in your home go down. Use these tricks when spending time outdoors to see that they're just as effective as DEET. Some of these natural solutions you might already have laying around the house.These methods are convenient, harmless, effective, and cheap! Try using vinegar, chalk, citrus peels, cedar chips, or essential oils to keep insects away.
