It's great to sit outside in the summer, on the patio or in an Adirondack chair on the lawn - until the mosquitoes find you. Since you don't want to perfume the air and taint your skin with DEET, you go inside. If you had a bottle of essential oil insect repellent, however, you could stay out, knowing the bugs would stay away and you yourself would be unharmed.
The chemicals in conventional bug sprays have always been suspect, and the current favorite DEET (developed by the Army to protect soldiers in swampy regions) has many cautions on its label. It's approved by the government for personal use, but there are multiple cases of toxic reactions, especially among children but also among sensitive adults. Many people fail to realize that there are safe, natural alternatives to chemical-infused sprays.
There are many brands of all-natural, chemical-free repellents on the market. You can find sprays, topical lotions, sticks that you rub on, and pre-treated wipes. Some contain sunscreen for added protection. These products are very effective on garden and woodland pests, and they smell good, too. There are special formulas for infants and small children; basically they use the same herbs but they're not as strong.
It's easy to make your own with essential oils you can buy at natural food stores or online. There are many good, pure brands on the market; it's best to choose organic ones to use on your skin. Any oil should be used in dilute form. They can be added to a mixture of half water and half witch hazel. You can substitute apple cider vinegar or rubbing alcohol for the witch hazel, according to recipes found online.
It's easy to find recipes online that tell you how many drops of one or more plant extracts to use and how to mix them. Spray bottles can be bought at department stores. Remember to shake the spray before each use, to mix the contents of your bottle thoroughly and disperse the oils.
Popular, affordable, and easy-to-get oils include peppermint, citronella, rosemary, lavender, cedar, lemongrass, and lemon balm. You can add vanilla and clove to the formula if you like those scents; they smell good to us but not to bugs. You will enjoy using these fragrant sprays, and you don't have to hold your breath after spraying them on. To keep ticks off your dog, try using tea tree oil, either full strength rubbed on a thick coat or diluted with water and vinegar. This keeps fleas away, as well, making a trip to the dog park less risky.
It's always a good idea to spray your clothes or your hat instead of your skin, if you are sensitive to cosmetics in general. You can spray your children's hair rather than their faces to keep gnats out of their eyes and ears. Spray your boots and pants when walking in brush or long grass to keep off ticks. You can even rub fresh leaves of mint or lemon balm on your skin in a pinch.
Once you try natural repellents, you'll realize that you don't need harsh, dangerous chemicals. You, your family, and your animal companions can be safe from insects that otherwise make outdoor time unpleasant.
The chemicals in conventional bug sprays have always been suspect, and the current favorite DEET (developed by the Army to protect soldiers in swampy regions) has many cautions on its label. It's approved by the government for personal use, but there are multiple cases of toxic reactions, especially among children but also among sensitive adults. Many people fail to realize that there are safe, natural alternatives to chemical-infused sprays.
There are many brands of all-natural, chemical-free repellents on the market. You can find sprays, topical lotions, sticks that you rub on, and pre-treated wipes. Some contain sunscreen for added protection. These products are very effective on garden and woodland pests, and they smell good, too. There are special formulas for infants and small children; basically they use the same herbs but they're not as strong.
It's easy to make your own with essential oils you can buy at natural food stores or online. There are many good, pure brands on the market; it's best to choose organic ones to use on your skin. Any oil should be used in dilute form. They can be added to a mixture of half water and half witch hazel. You can substitute apple cider vinegar or rubbing alcohol for the witch hazel, according to recipes found online.
It's easy to find recipes online that tell you how many drops of one or more plant extracts to use and how to mix them. Spray bottles can be bought at department stores. Remember to shake the spray before each use, to mix the contents of your bottle thoroughly and disperse the oils.
Popular, affordable, and easy-to-get oils include peppermint, citronella, rosemary, lavender, cedar, lemongrass, and lemon balm. You can add vanilla and clove to the formula if you like those scents; they smell good to us but not to bugs. You will enjoy using these fragrant sprays, and you don't have to hold your breath after spraying them on. To keep ticks off your dog, try using tea tree oil, either full strength rubbed on a thick coat or diluted with water and vinegar. This keeps fleas away, as well, making a trip to the dog park less risky.
It's always a good idea to spray your clothes or your hat instead of your skin, if you are sensitive to cosmetics in general. You can spray your children's hair rather than their faces to keep gnats out of their eyes and ears. Spray your boots and pants when walking in brush or long grass to keep off ticks. You can even rub fresh leaves of mint or lemon balm on your skin in a pinch.
Once you try natural repellents, you'll realize that you don't need harsh, dangerous chemicals. You, your family, and your animal companions can be safe from insects that otherwise make outdoor time unpleasant.
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Find an overview of the benefits of using an essential oil insect repellent and view our selection of essential oils at http://www.paulopolis.com/product/petitgrain-orange-essential-oil-2-oz right now.