Bug sprays are big business today. People like to go outside, sit around the pool or the campfire, work in the garden, and enjoy their animals without pesky insects crashing the party. However, many petroleum-based and other chemical-infused products have side effects to people and the environment. Those who want less pollution for themselves, their households, and their planet can use essential oil insect repellent instead.
Insecticides, like DDT, were hailed as miraculous when they first came out. They were extremely effective against annoying pests like bed bugs, and dangerous ones like mosquitoes which carried malaria. The apple harvest was saved from the coddling moth. People loved them - until they discovered that what poisoned bugs poisoned other things, too.
However, while certain pests declined dramatically, other bugs rose up to fill the vacuum. Moreover, birds suffered from eating poisoned insects; their shells became so thin that they broke in the nest before they could hatch. The osprey was the poster child for the 'protect our birds' movement. Fortunately, their population has recovered, and their distinctive shaggy nests are once more a familiar sight along Chesapeake Bay shores.
Many repellents on the market today have ingredients that are considered carcinogens. The good news is that the volatile oils of plants are effective repellents and bug killers. If you have spiders in the basement or mosquitoes on the patio, go online and find out how to make your own sprays and topical lotions. You can also buy ready-made formulas to keep bugs away from people and animals.
Essential oil sprays can be made with a carrier oil or with a water base. Water is usually mixed with witch hazel or vodka in recipes found online. From 10 to 75 drops of essential oil are added to three ounces of carrier solution, depending on what you will use the repellent for and what oils you are using. Make sure to shake the mixture vigorously before use to disperse the oils. If you use alcohol in the carrier solution, you can add a half ounce of jojoba oil for its moisturizing qualities.
Oils that make good carrier solutions are coconut, sunflower, extra virgin olive, and apricot kernel oil. Using an oil makes sense if you need a long-lasing effect or if you are applying it to a dog - as in a flea or tick repelling mix. If you have dry skin in the summer, a little fragrant oil on arms, hands, and legs is nice.
Many of the fragrant oils you are familiar with repel mosquitoes; citronella is one of the best known. Horseflies keep off when you use tansy, thyme, peppermint, and cedar wood. Lemon eucalyptus may be harder to find, but it's said to be the most effective against the most different kinds of bugs. For ticks, use tea tree oil. Gnats don't like the mints, eucalyptus, or citronella. You can help keep them away by spraying your hat, sticking a few springs of mint or lemon balm in your hatband, and rubbing the leaves of any of these herbs on your face and arms.
Plants produce their volatile oils in part to repel the bugs that eat them. You can find your favorite oils by trying a few. Clove, lavender, cinnamon, lemon, and pine are others you can try. Peppermint oil should be diluted for topical use, but you can use it full strength to keep spiders out of your basement. Go online to find many good tips on using essential oils to keep the pests away.
Insecticides, like DDT, were hailed as miraculous when they first came out. They were extremely effective against annoying pests like bed bugs, and dangerous ones like mosquitoes which carried malaria. The apple harvest was saved from the coddling moth. People loved them - until they discovered that what poisoned bugs poisoned other things, too.
However, while certain pests declined dramatically, other bugs rose up to fill the vacuum. Moreover, birds suffered from eating poisoned insects; their shells became so thin that they broke in the nest before they could hatch. The osprey was the poster child for the 'protect our birds' movement. Fortunately, their population has recovered, and their distinctive shaggy nests are once more a familiar sight along Chesapeake Bay shores.
Many repellents on the market today have ingredients that are considered carcinogens. The good news is that the volatile oils of plants are effective repellents and bug killers. If you have spiders in the basement or mosquitoes on the patio, go online and find out how to make your own sprays and topical lotions. You can also buy ready-made formulas to keep bugs away from people and animals.
Essential oil sprays can be made with a carrier oil or with a water base. Water is usually mixed with witch hazel or vodka in recipes found online. From 10 to 75 drops of essential oil are added to three ounces of carrier solution, depending on what you will use the repellent for and what oils you are using. Make sure to shake the mixture vigorously before use to disperse the oils. If you use alcohol in the carrier solution, you can add a half ounce of jojoba oil for its moisturizing qualities.
Oils that make good carrier solutions are coconut, sunflower, extra virgin olive, and apricot kernel oil. Using an oil makes sense if you need a long-lasing effect or if you are applying it to a dog - as in a flea or tick repelling mix. If you have dry skin in the summer, a little fragrant oil on arms, hands, and legs is nice.
Many of the fragrant oils you are familiar with repel mosquitoes; citronella is one of the best known. Horseflies keep off when you use tansy, thyme, peppermint, and cedar wood. Lemon eucalyptus may be harder to find, but it's said to be the most effective against the most different kinds of bugs. For ticks, use tea tree oil. Gnats don't like the mints, eucalyptus, or citronella. You can help keep them away by spraying your hat, sticking a few springs of mint or lemon balm in your hatband, and rubbing the leaves of any of these herbs on your face and arms.
Plants produce their volatile oils in part to repel the bugs that eat them. You can find your favorite oils by trying a few. Clove, lavender, cinnamon, lemon, and pine are others you can try. Peppermint oil should be diluted for topical use, but you can use it full strength to keep spiders out of your basement. Go online to find many good tips on using essential oils to keep the pests away.
About the Author:
Find a list of the benefits you get when you use an essential oil insect repellent and view our selection of essential oils at http://www.paulopolis.com/product/petitgrain-orange-essential-oil-2-oz now.
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