Mosquito season can make life miserable, and ruin those last remaining weeks of summer.
Not to mention all the health concerns that the little pests carry, like West Nile virus, malaria, Lyme disease, or a new virus called Chikungunya. Mosquito-born viruses can lead to a swollen and inflamed brain, says health expert Suzy Cohen.
The chemicals you’d have to expose yourself to by wetting yourself down with DEET, or picaridin-infused sprays, are also a big problem in the area of bite prevention. DEET is considered a dangerous toxin to the nervous system in little children by a host of knowledgeable scientists!
DEET is definitely not recommended for every day– use only on rare occasions.
So is there anything natural, and effective, at keeping you safe from all the bites and stings on a summer evening or nature walk?
Of course.
Studies show that essential oils, not synthetic chemicals, are the most effective repellants.
Cohen lists vetiver, hairy basil, lemongrass, citronella, emu oil, lily turf or monkey grass, sweet wormwood oil of artemisia annua, and ginger essential oil as the most helpful.
Also, do the obvious things to deter flies and mosquitoes like:
* Avoid standing water in birdbaths and child pools.
* Dispose of plant debris and keep a fan circulating air.
* Plant repellant plants like marigolds and geraniums.
* Drop some essential oil of citronella around your porch or deck.
You can also make your own natural mosquito repellant spray the way Suzy Cohen does.
Simply add one or more of these essential oils to 8 to 10 ounces of water:
8 drops Vetiver
6 drops Lavender
4 drops Lemon
2 drops Ginger
3 drops Wormwood oil
Be careful not to spray your face or eyes.
Finally, be sure to have enough B complex in your system. Anecdotal evidence supports the idea that B-deficient people attract biting bugs!
Read the full article here: How to Make Natural Mosquito and Bug Repellant
