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With the wonderful weather we have been having, it is hard to resist going outside and enjoying it. Last week I talked about the danger’s of ticks and how to repel them naturally. This week I wanted to go over those pesky little buzzer’s!
Mosquitoes carry a lot of nasty illnesses. West Nile Virus, Ebola Virus and Malaria are just a few. These viruses can be very deadly, but they don’t always lead to death. Although you will feel awful, you can survive. There are some that can catch WNV and not even know they have it.
What is wrong with using DEET?
Although commercial bug sprays containing DEET are very effective, they also come with some risks. Risks include:
- Rashes
- Skin irritation
- Headaches
- Numb or burning lips
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Difficulty concentrating
A study with lab rat’s found that frequent and prolonged exposure to the chemical DEET led some Neurons in the area of the brain that control learning, concentration, muscle movement, and memory to die.
What are good alternative’s to DEET?
A camp fire is a great way to keep Mosquitoes at bay. They hate being around smoke! You can also use tiki torches.
Eating more garlic is said to help repel mosquitoes. Although no controlled studies have been conducted proving this idea, many people who make sure to keep garlic intake with their diet, claim it helps repel mosquitoes.
Using Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is suggested by the CDC. The protection that LEO offers is quite similar to product’s containing DEET
Peppermint! Mosquitoes hate the smell of peppermint. If you are able to grow a peppermint plant then you will always have access to this effective mosquito repellent! Just crush the leave’s and run the oil on like you would any other insect repellent.
Some other plants that are effective at repelling mosquitoes are:
Marigolds, Geranium, Rosemary, Citronella, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Basil, and Catnip
If you are able to plant these around your house or garden, then you lessen your chances of getting bitten by mosquitoes! They are more effective if you rub the oil’s of the leaves on your skin. But the scent put off by the plant’s alone can help.
I wouldn’t suggest using Catnip if you don’t like cat’s. They are attracted to the smell of it.
I will be going over different recipe’s you can use with each plant to turn them into a highly effective insect repellent at a later time! I plan on having an article just on home-made insect repellent and how to properly mix everything along with video’s that will show you how I made them.