Bug Repellents+Homemade Spray
As the weather is still warm, and summer winds down, we have a few weekends left to be outdoors with our families. Concerns about Zika, West Nile virus, and even tick-bites, causing Lyme disease are a concern. What Bug Repellents are available and are there homemade sprays that work?
Mosquitos seem to love me, seriously, I can hear them buzzing a mile away. They will find me, once bitten(which I will be) I don’t just experience a tiny red bite it swells and seems to get worse each day. But, one of my problems is I have extremely sensitive skin. The products I use internally as well as externally, I need to use caution. Finding a safe, non-synthetic, laced with chemicals product is important to me.
Traditional bug repellents are effective, yes, but they also come with warnings and cautions. I wanted to find out the actual safety of the most used repellents.
DEET
Deet has been around for a long time. It was discovered by the U.S. Army in 1946, surprising? Yes!
“DEET, registered for public use in 1957, is the most common mosquito and tick repellent. It is rated as very effective in repelling a broad range of mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs. DEET has been used billions of times and is a reasonable, if imperfect, choice.
On the plus side, if used as directed, DEET is considered safe by many public health organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization (AAP 2005, CDC 2013D, EPA 1998, Schutze 2013, WHO 2012). DEET is among those chemicals recommended by WHO for protection against disease-carrying mosquitoes and is the only repellent recommended by the CDC to protect against Lyme disease (CDC 2013D, WHO 2012).”
With the millions and millions of users, it has had very little problems or reason for concern. If you chose to use this option here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Use only concentrations 7-10%. This percentage is used for short term, 2-3 hour use. 20-30% if you need all day use. Any level higher only means it lasts longer not its effectiveness.
- CDC recommends reapplying only if you feel mosquitos are attracted to you:). Well, that’s a surprise.
- Only treat the area that will be exposed to outdoors. In this case more isn’t better.
- When you return, wash off repellent with soap and water. Especially, noted by CDC, if you’ve been using the repellent for consequence days.
Picardin 20%
Products that contain picardin are equally safe as DEET. If you have concerns about Zika, Lyme Disease, or West Nile these two products are best choices.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Lemon Eucalyptus , is an effective alternative, more natural than the products we’ve discussed. This ingredient is derived naturally from citronella and refined in a process as the leaves age. There is a caution for kids under 3.
Natural Bug Repellent
If you plan an evening out with the family in the evening, this homemade recipe is a good alternative.
- 2 oz spray bottle 2 Ounce Glass Amber
- fill almost to the top with witch hazel and distilled water(equal parts)
- 20 drops eucalyptus oil www.mydoterra.com/abundantlivingmommy
- 10 drops citronella
- 10 drops lavender
- 1-2 drops of Neem UpNature The Best Neem Oil
Some Other Random Things For Protection
- When outdoors wear long sleeves and long pants.
- Avoid Sunrise and Sunset
- Garlic taken year round is said to help ward off pesky bugs
- Some experts say increasing Vitamin B1 helps keeps mosquitos and other bugs at bay.
- Working out increases sweating and humidity as well as increases your Carbon Dioxide,(CO2) mosquitos are attracted to CO2 and increased humidity.
- Don’t wear fragrance when outside.
- Dark Colors attract mosquitos.
I will tell you; I was surprised by my findings. I usually steer clear of chemicals. But finding out that products containing DEET are not as bad as you’d think.Especially if you live in or will be traveling to areas of high concern. You always need to see if the benefits outweigh the concerns. I will continue to use my homemade spray whenever the threat is low. I hope you and your family enjoy the rest of summer, BUG-FREE!
If you have some tips, I’d love to hear them.
