Dodging Summer Bugs the Green Way!
June 24th, 2009
Hello Friends!
I’ve been browsing all kinds of resources lately looking for ways to keep bugs off myself, my family and my food during this summer season! Keeping bugs away in a safe, green, chemical free manor is very important to me.
I’ve found a lot of the usual tips that I’m pretty sure everyone knows but I’ve also managed to find a few tips that were totally unique and WONDERFUL ideas. Below I’ve listed those tips and a simple recipe for an essential oil to keep your balmy summer nights as bug free as possible!
#1. Sit the legs of your picnic table in tin cans filled with water. Disposable pie tins or old frisbees work well for thicker legged tabled. Why go through all of this trouble? Ants can’t make it through water, so you’ll prevent a pathway for them to climb up your table.
#2. Keep insects away from your picnic by giving them one of their own. Several yards away from your eating area, fill a pie plate full of water and sugar. The bugs will be so busy with their meal that they won’t pay any attention to yours. Don’t forget to pick up the pie plates before you leave the area.
#3. Light a stick of incense scented with essential oil of lemon balm, thyme, eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender.
#4. Burn candles scented with those essential oils.
Mosquito Repellent Oil
10 drops essential oil (basil, eucalyptus, cloves, geranium, peppermint, rosemary, lemon balm (citronella), onions, garlic, and feverfew)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; stir to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing.
Note: Pregnant women should consult with their doctor before using essential oils.
What Scent Oils Repels What?!
Ticks First Choice: Rose Geranium
Other: Palmerosa, bay, eucalyptus, European pennyroyal
lavender, tickweed (American pennyroyal)
Mosquitoes: Pennyroyal, lemon balm (citronella), thyme, lavender
Blackflies: Sassafras, lavender, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, cedar, lemon balm (citronella), peppermint
Head Lice: Tea tree, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, rose geranium
Fleas: Orange oil
A note about wasps and yellow jackets: Don’t wear perfume, hair spray, or scented
deodorant. Avoid wearing bright colored clothing.
Tips 1-2: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/328094/dont_bug_me_9_tricks_to_keep_bugs_away.html?cat=6
Tips 3-4 / Mosquito Repellent Oil: http://www.care2.com/
