Beat the Bugs

I do not like bugs but bugs love me. They like to enter my home, make me scream and take big bites of my tasty skin. EW!
I squirm and squeal when I'm caught off guard by a big bug. They are gross, but I can't find it in my heart to squish them to death. I've always been sensitive about animals, so after all these years and all the bugs I've seen, if they enter my living quarters, I usually capture them and free them outside.

Yes, I free the bug that caused me so much turmoil and anguish. I do admit to summoning a big strong guy, or whoever is around, to squish the big 'uns. I also admit to committing murder myself, although I try to catch and release but sometimes you have to teach spiders a lesson. GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!

Along with my hatred of bugs, I hate itching. I LOATH bug bites and I have a sincere FEAR of getting West Nile Virus. Mosquito's LOVE my blood. So I think I have good reason to be a bit apprehensive. I seem to get bug bites everywhere from my face to my toes, so you can imagine bug repellent is my friend, I often douse myself in the delightful scent of bug bite freedom.

In my recent efforts to be green, I realized my good friend, OFF, is a chemical queen all wrapped up in a earth-killin' aerosol can. Yikes.

I've searched far and wide (on the internet) for all natural bug repellents. That way you can enjoy mother nature with out getting eaten by her ugly little creatures.

Below are some concoctions and websites where you can go to learn more. Enjoy beating those bugs.

1. Garlic is a good way to scare off vampires, and maybe even a cute date, but it also "bugs" misquotes!
Try mixing one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake it up before using then spray lightly on exposed body parts. This will help repel bugs up to 5 - 6 hours. You can also soak strips of cotton cloth in the mix and hang it in places you don't want buggies.

2. The Neem tree from India produces seeds and seed oil that contains sallanin which repels mosquito. Neem oil is natural and is safe to use. You can find Neem oil based products.

3. When you're cooking out and don't want any uninvited buzzing guests, toss some sage or rosemary on the coals. That will help repel mosquitoes.

4. Planting marigolds helps deter pests. Bugs don't like their smell.

5. Rubbing Lavender oil on pulse points can keep the bugs away without keeping friends away too.

6. Plain ol' rubbing alcohol can keep the bigs from biting too. I saw this online from someone who is allergic to mosquito bites. They said once its on, it smells nice (believe it or not) and keeps the bugs away.

7. Want to make your own mix? I found this recipe online.

1/2 ounce citronella oil
1/4 ounce lavender oil
1/8 ounce pennyroyal oil
1/8 ounce tea tree oil
1/8 ounce jojoba oil

**Do not use this blend undiluted on your skin. Follow these instructions for diluting:

To make an insect repellent oil that can be used on your body, add 16 ounces of jojoba or almond oil to the base oil mixture and blend thoroughly. For an insect repellent spray, add 16 ounces of vodka to the base oil mixture, pour into a spray bottle, and shake before using.

A good idea to protect your pretty locks, add base oil to shampoos and liquid soaps.


Two more recipes with essential oils:
Essential Oils: Lemon grass, eucalyptus, castor oil, peppermint, tea tree oil, lavender, cedar, Clove oil and citronella (rose geranium)

SPRAY: Rubbing alcohol (or witch hazel, vodka, or olive oil) mixed with an essential oil with a 10-to-1, alcohol-to-oil ratio. Shake it up before using.


LOTION: 2 ounces distilled water, 2 ounces olive oil, and about 120 drops essential oil. Mix water with a wire whip while drizzling olive oil in. Mix in essential oil.

Here is a website that has lots and lots of great GREEN info:
http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm

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Don't let the bugs BUG you!

MollyO