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.
In the old days, newly discovered insecticides were embraced and used enthusiastically. Perhaps the most notorious was DDT, hailed as the answer to plagues of bed bugs, mosquitoes, and the coddling moth that was destroying apple orchards. Many other bugs succumbed to this powerful poison.
However, we now know that many of these chemicals harm fish and birds, leave toxic residues in our food, threaten vital pollinators like bees and butterflies, and may be destroying our soil and our water supply. Bird populations that had declined sharply, like the ospreys, have recovered since DDT and some other pesticides have been banned. It was discovered that birds who ate poisoned insects laid eggs with shells too thin to protect the babies inside.
Today those who love wildlife and the natural world can choose to avoid modern bug repellent products whose safety is already being questioned. The essential oil of many plants is effective against pests, like spiders in the basement or mosquitoes on the patio. You can find recipes online to make your own, or you can buy all-natural products ready made. You can use them in your home, in your garden, in your barnyard and stable, and on your person.
Essential oils should seldom be used full-strength. For insect sprays, you can add up to fifty drops of one or a combination of oils to a mixture of one part witch hazel to two parts water. You can also add the oil to water mixed with vodka. (Alcohol can be drying to the skin, so you could also add half an ounce of jojoba oil.) Leave room in the spray bottle for the shaking which is necessary before every use, since the oils will separate out.
Sunflower, coconut, apricot, and extra virgin olive oils make good carriers. Oil-based insecticides will last longer, so they are good for flea and tick treatments on dogs or for longer hikes. The carrier oils make good moisturizers for dry skin.
Mosquitoes are repelled by almost all fragrant oils. Horseflies hate tansy, peppermint, thyme, and cedarwood. Lemon eucalyptus is good for keeping almost any bug away. For fleas, try lemongrass, cedarwood, lavender, tea tree, thyme, and oregano. For gnats, eucalyptus and citronella are good, as are the mints. Get a citronella candle to help keep insects away at night. You can also rub a bit of lemon balm, catnip, or mint on your face when you are gardening; add a few sprigs to your hat, too, to keep the gnats away.
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.
In the old days, newly discovered insecticides were embraced and used enthusiastically. Perhaps the most notorious was DDT, hailed as the answer to plagues of bed bugs, mosquitoes, and the coddling moth that was destroying apple orchards. Many other bugs succumbed to this powerful poison.
However, we now know that many of these chemicals harm fish and birds, leave toxic residues in our food, threaten vital pollinators like bees and butterflies, and may be destroying our soil and our water supply. Bird populations that had declined sharply, like the ospreys, have recovered since DDT and some other pesticides have been banned. It was discovered that birds who ate poisoned insects laid eggs with shells too thin to protect the babies inside.
Today those who love wildlife and the natural world can choose to avoid modern bug repellent products whose safety is already being questioned. The essential oil of many plants is effective against pests, like spiders in the basement or mosquitoes on the patio. You can find recipes online to make your own, or you can buy all-natural products ready made. You can use them in your home, in your garden, in your barnyard and stable, and on your person.
Essential oils should seldom be used full-strength. For insect sprays, you can add up to fifty drops of one or a combination of oils to a mixture of one part witch hazel to two parts water. You can also add the oil to water mixed with vodka. (Alcohol can be drying to the skin, so you could also add half an ounce of jojoba oil.) Leave room in the spray bottle for the shaking which is necessary before every use, since the oils will separate out.
Sunflower, coconut, apricot, and extra virgin olive oils make good carriers. Oil-based insecticides will last longer, so they are good for flea and tick treatments on dogs or for longer hikes. The carrier oils make good moisturizers for dry skin.
Mosquitoes are repelled by almost all fragrant oils. Horseflies hate tansy, peppermint, thyme, and cedarwood. Lemon eucalyptus is good for keeping almost any bug away. For fleas, try lemongrass, cedarwood, lavender, tea tree, thyme, and oregano. For gnats, eucalyptus and citronella are good, as are the mints. Get a citronella candle to help keep insects away at night. You can also rub a bit of lemon balm, catnip, or mint on your face when you are gardening; add a few sprigs to your hat, too, to keep the gnats away.
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.