|
All Natural Bug Repellent |
Bugs, bug me! Okay, yes, that deserved an eye roll but they really are a nuisance.
Nothing quite like a yelling kiddo, distraught about the mosquitoes that' "JUST WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE!"
You could buy ear plugs to drown out the wails (and that's just mean), spray your child down with questionable chemicals or go with something all natural.
A closer look at those options...
1. Let your poor child scream in annoyed terror.
First off, I know you wouldn't do that. Any parent willing to take the time to look up natural alternatives isn't the kind of parent who ignores their child's woes. Besides, it's not just uncaring to allow your child to suffer, it can be dangerous. Mosquito's carry diseases.
Depending on where you live, this can be scary when left unchecked. In addition to any viruses that the little bloodsuckers could transmit, they can leave your child itching for days! So then you're dealing with the possibility of infection from scratching.
Fortunately, the chance of contracting either a transmittable disease from a bite or an infection from scratching are both very low but, as a parent, I don't want that added worry during a family picnic, camping trip or an evening of lightening bug catching.
Depending on where you live, this can be scary when left unchecked. In addition to any viruses that the little bloodsuckers could transmit, they can leave your child itching for days! So then you're dealing with the possibility of infection from scratching.
Fortunately, the chance of contracting either a transmittable disease from a bite or an infection from scratching are both very low but, as a parent, I don't want that added worry during a family picnic, camping trip or an evening of lightening bug catching.
2. Chemical bombardment
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, DEET is safe (keep in mind that those are the same people who think Round Up laden GMO's and irradiating our food is perfectly safe) but they also advise the following...
- Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing.
- Do not use under clothing.
- Avoid over-application of this product.
- After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
- Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
In all fairness, I DO wash my children's clothes after they have played out side in them and I DO have them bathe after a day of play but not because I need to wash anything off of them (except, maybe, dirt and kid sweat). I am really not comfortable with putting chemicals on my kiddos that need to be washed off of not only their skin but their clothes too! Sheesh!
Then there are the "other ingredients"
Ethanol/SD Alcohol 50-60% (preservative)
Propane 1.0-5.0% (propellant)
Isobutane 1.0-5.0% (propellant)
Butane 1.0-5.0% (propellant)
Propane 1.0-5.0% (propellant)
Isobutane 1.0-5.0% (propellant)
Butane 1.0-5.0% (propellant)
Again, the EPA says that these are considered safe. The use of toxic flammable propellants is the norm for aerosol cans (one of the reasons we don't use them) and only a small amount becomes airborne, thus breathable, when sprayed but are kids are submitted to a toxic onslaught all the time! Those exposures add up. Cancer is on the rise as well as auto-immune disorders so lowering my young'uns chemical load is important to me. By using more all natural products, when I can, is a very important step in achieving that goal.
3. Natural Bug Repellent
This is my choice for keeping bugs from bugging (eye roll again). I make my own but you can find it at most health food stores. It's not too hard to make and the ingredients are easily accessible. I also have it for sale (here) if do-it-yourself is not your thing.
Why I choose these ingredients
Witch Hazel is an all natural astringent. It serves a duel purpose here as an essential oil carrier and skin toner.
Vegetable Glycerin helps the oils scent linger longer and is also a moisturizer.
Lavender has been used for centuries to ward off bugs. It's particularly good at deterring mosquitoes and its fragrance is soothing (always a bonus when it comes to kids).
Peppermint has a familiar smell and is great for repelling mosquitoes, gnats and ticks.
Rosemary is an invigorating essential oil so while helping with clarity of thought it also deters most pesky bugs.
Clove is unbeatable as an insect repellent. There has even been scientific studies done proving its effectiveness. Besides mosquitoes, ants also do not like clove.
Patchouli: there seems to be an awful lot of hate out there for this misunderstood essential oil. People seem to love it or loathe it entirely. Images of dirty hippies usually come to the haters minds (and what exactly is wrong with a dirty hippie anyway?) but what most people don't realize is that patchouli is used in several perfumes. It is considered a bass note in the fragrance world so it holds its scent a long time; helpful on those long summer evenings. Patchouli is also GREAT at keeping pests at bay. From mosquitoes to moths, if it's bothersome patchouli will help! So, if you are one of those folks that keep patchouli at arms lengths, please reconsider this oil before running away. When used as a background fragrance it is truly beautiful (and useful).
Citronella kinda speaks for its self as a mosquito repellent. Almost everyone has a citronella candle sitting in a closet or garage somewhere. It can cause skin sensitivity when overused so we keep the amount small but a little goes a long way.
Lemongrass is similar to citronella but has a more lemony scent and a much lower chance of sensitivity.
Lemongrass is similar to citronella but has a more lemony scent and a much lower chance of sensitivity.
Lemon Eucalyptus is even recognized by the EPA as a bio-pesticide repellent...meaning it's a natural repellent that works! In studies lemon eucalyptus has shown to be as effective as DEET! Yayyy, for this lemon scented member of the eucalyptus family.
Cedar oil was used by the ancient Egyptians during embalming as an insect deterrent. It keeps all the normal pests away and even fleas don't like it! That's a plus for your kiddos ankles in yards with pets.
Geranium oil is used in MANY "all natural" commercial flea and tick repellents...Why? Because it is so effective! An added bonus is that, while working to keep those bugs at bay, geranium is known to lift our spirits! That's a nice little bonus when dealing with the stress of bugs.
Alcohol is optional. I do use a tiny bit of vodka in mine because I never know if this may sit in a damp bag, going from beach, to air conditioning, and back to beach again several times before the bottle is empty.
The Recipe
|
The ingredients are... |
|
2 ounce spray bottle (I always use a dark colored glass bottle)
1 ounce witch hazel
2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
12 drops lavender
5 drops peppermint
5 drops rosemary
5 drops cloves
3 drops patchouli
3 drops geranium
3 drops lemongrass
2 drops citronella
2 drops lemon eucalyptus
2 drops cedar
1/8 teaspoon alcohol (optional)
Pour everything in the bottle, fill with filtered or distilled water, skake well, and use.
Click here for printable copy
