We are hoping that the bugs during the fireworks last night weren’t biting too bad. But we know that’s not always the case, so we wanted to give you the tools and information you need to keep those pesky bugs from biting. You may not even need to go very far to find them; you might have what you need right in your own backyard.
The Blend
To start, Lemon Eucalyptus is commonly used as a bug repellant. The geraniol in Palmarosa and Litsea Cubeba is distasteful to pests, including mosquitoes, though people tend to find its scent pleasant. Insects and pests tend to dislike Tea Tree oil, making it an obvious addition to our blend. Citronella, a close relative of Lemongrass, has been used as a mosquito repellant for ages. This essential oil is actually on the EPA’s list of minimum-risk pesticides. Lemongrass has similar effects on insects. The citronellal in Melissa Leaf, also known as Lemon Balm, deters both mosquitos and gnats. But don’t fret, it doesn’t have the same distinct smell as traditional deterrents. It smells quite nice, and still gets the job done!
Spray It
Rub drops straight on your skin or make yourself a spray. Grab a spray bottle, add water, drop in a bit of Nature’s Shield, and spray away. Go for a dilution between 4-10% (lots of water and a couple drops of oil). The more potent it is, the more effective it will be. Once you’ve got your spray set up, spritz clothing, exposed skin, bedding, equipment, and anything else you want to keep bugs away from.
Making Your Home Less Friendly to Annoying Bugs
Bugs are a normal, natural part of the ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean that their presence is always wanted. This holds true especially if they come into your home uninvited or choose you to be the source of their next meal. You deserve better than to be on their menu, no matter where you are. Make Nature’s Shield your first line of defense, and live pesk-free.
As with most things in life, while deterring bugs and pests the more tools you have at your disposal, the better. While it can certainly be helpful, Nature’s Shield isn’t the only thing you can use to make your home less appealing to bugs.
To start, think about what makes your home so appealing to you as a human. It has a comfortable temperature, plenty of food and water. Bugs like those things too. It’s not very realistic to make your home uncomfortable for them in terms of temperature, but you can control how readily available food and water is to them. Keeping kitchens and bathrooms clean, taking care of spills quickly, and keeping food in sealed containers can make all the difference. It makes it that much more difficult for bugs to find the sustenance they need.
Pay attention to the area surrounding your home as well. Piles of wood are perfect homes for a variety of pests and having them close to your home means it’s that much easier for them to get into yours. Maintain your yard, paying attention to tree branches. Make sure you remove clippings and keep the yard orderly. Don’t allow standing water to collect, as this is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Beyond that, seal off your home so that it’s less easy for them to invade in the first place. Make sure there aren’t openings around your windows and doors. Keep an eye out for holes in your walls, both internal and external. Seal off and repair any that you find. The same goes for your screens. If you leave the window open but there are holes or tears in your screen, it’s like leaving the door open for any creepy crawlies that find them.
The warmth of summer beckons, promising adventures galore for those who choose to spend their time outdoors. Camping, hiking, climbing, horseback riding, and backpacking are just a few of the amazing things you can do when you get out and start adventuring. While a ton of fun, these activities also have the potential to bring you into contact with some of nature’s less enjoyable inhabitants: insects and bugs. So, grab some Nature’s Shield to protect yourself from unwelcome guests.
*Many essential oils are listed on the EPA “Active Ingredients Eligible for Minimum Risk Pesticide Products.” However, in order for products that contain those ingredients to make pesticide or insect repellant claims, the products must be labeled as pesticides, including all the government-required verbiage and warnings. In addition, the products cannot contain any ingredients that aren’t on either the Active Ingredient list or the Inert Ingredient list for minimum risk pesticides. For these reasons, all Nature’s Fusions essential oil products are labeled as cosmetics or dietary supplements, instead of pesticides.
