Summer’s insects can be pests
and can transmit viruses and illnesses. Fleas can cause bites that itch and can
turn into infections. Ticks carry Lyme Disease. Mosquitoes can spread serious
illness like malaria that can cause over 700,000 deaths per year. It’s
important to know insects and the impact they have.
Mosquito hours are sunrise,
sunset and early evening. Do not leave water filled containers out for breeding
and eliminate decaying leaves and tall grassy areas by keeping your lawn clear
and mowed. Mosquitoes rest during the day in cool, dark places and like water
areas at dusk. A fan will help keep away
mosquitoes because they do not fly well. Use yellow bug lights, citronella candles, and tiki torches
as mild insect repellents. To avoid mosquitoes, stay inside during mosquito
peak hours or if outside, cover up with loose clothing, long sleeves, pants,
shoes, socks and avoid tight clothes which mosquitoes can penetrate. Use window
and door screens and put mosquito netting over infant carriages or strollers.
Nutritionally, you can drink a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar, eat
garlic and take vitamin B1 to deter mosquito.
Ticks prefer forests, long grassy areas, and shade. Be sure to check your animals for ticks, as
they can carry them into the house. If
going outside, wear light-colored clothing to see the ticks. Wear long sleeve
shirts, long pants and tuck your pants into your socks, wear boots and pull
your hair back into a hat or scarf. Once inside, check clothing and body
for ticks and take a soapy shower. Wash
Insect repellents are
available in chemical and natural plant based varieties to keep bugs, mosquitoes,
and ticks away. Chemical formulas often use N-Diethyl-m-toluamide, or DEET which
is designed to repel insects. Products
with 95 percent or more deet have been linked with serious side effects,
including seizures, slurred speech, eye irritation, allergic reaction, and
coma. If you need long-term bug protection, sparingly apply a product with 15
percent deet and it will protect you from mosquito and tick bites for at least
8 hours. Apply repellents outdoors, and only to clothing or exposed skin. Wash
repellents off before going to bed, and wash clothes before wearing them again.
Children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems should use deet only
with caution and it’s not recommended for use on infants younger than 2 months.
Plant based repellents include vegetable
or almond oil which both contain sulfur, distilled white vinegar, lemon juice,
and essential oils help to deter mosquito. When buying, look for the words
herbal, all-natural, DEET-free, non-chemical, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic.
Recipe for tick and flea repellent
4 ounces water
3 ounces witch hazel
1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin
40-50 drops citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus,
lemon eucalyptus and rose geranium essential oils (choose 3 essential oils)
To
repel mosquito add 1 or more:
Lemon eucalyptus, citronella, cinnamon, castor,
rosemary, lemongrass, cedar, clove, and geranium essential oils
Directions: Mix ingredients in spray bottle and spray onto
clothing, skin, and hair before going outdoors and reapply every four hours. The
more oils you use, the stronger the formula.
Recipe
for repellent soap
4 ounces liquid castile soap, lavender or
peppermint (Dr. Bronner’s)
40-50 drops of essential
oils (lemon balm, citronella, pennyroyal, and rose geranium)
Directions:
Mix ingredients together, apply to skin as soap, and wash before and
after being outside.
Recipe
for pet tick repellent
1 cup water
2 cups distilled white vinegar
2 tbs vegetable or almond oil (both
contain sulfur which is a tick repellent)
To
repel fleas add 1 or more:
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp citrus oil
1 tsp peppermint oil
Directions for tick and flea repellent: Mix ingredients in a spray bottle and spray on pet's
dry coat avoiding eyes and other sensitive areas. Spray once per day if pet
is only outside a few times a day, spray several times a day if they spend the
entire day outside. Apply 1-5 drops rose geranium essential oil on the
pet’s collar each week to help repel ticks.
