Daily Fit Tip: Bug-proof naturally
Sometimes I don't know which one is worse: dealing with the bugs or dealing with the greasy, smelly, full-of-toxic-chemicals bug repellent! Thankfully there are natural ways to cope.
Natural Health has compiled handy list of tips for keeping bugs at bay without using unhealthy (and stinky!) bug sprays:
Natural Health has compiled handy list of tips for keeping bugs at bay without using unhealthy (and stinky!) bug sprays:
Gallery: Fight summer bugs naturally
- Wear loose, light-colored clothes (so they can't bite through and you can see them to swat them)
- Eliminate standing water, even the smallest puddle can breed hundreds of mosquitos
- Avoid sugar and caffeine (they rev up your metabolism, which attracts mosquitos)
- Apply natural repellents containing geraniol, soybean oil, or lemon eucalyptus
- Rub fresh mint on your skin to repel bugs (make sure you're not allergic or sensitive to the plant's oils first!)
- Light a Linalool or geraniol candle (and stay within 3 feet) or if you've got a fire going, try burning dried mugwort or lavender (an old Chinese method)
- Turn on a fan and keep them at bay with the breeze (mosquitos can only fly about 8 mph)
- Install screens on all windows and doors and make sure they stay in good repair -- sleep under a mosquito net if you often get bitten during the night
- Take care of the bites so you don't itch: apply the essential oils of lavender (anti-inflammatory) and peppermint (anti-itch) OR mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water (neutralizes the insect poison and balances the skin's pH.
- Install a bat house in your yard -- although they often get a bad rap, bats aren't interested in people and a single bat can eat hundreds of insects in a single night.
- Get involved with your local Mosquito Control Agency to reduce the number of mosquitos in your entire area.
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