Anyone who is an avid camper or outdoor enthusiast knows the trauma of bug season. Whether you come across black flies, horse flies, fire ants or mosquitoes, these tiny creatures create giant-sized annoyances. They fly up your nose, buzz in your ear and potentially leave welts, bumps and intensely itchy red patches on your skin. On the more serious side, mosquitoes carry deadly diseases such as malaria in many parts of the world. So, aside from staying indoors what can you do to cope with these pests? Here are some natural ways to repel bugs that bite and buzz.
First of all, you can help the situation by wearing a hat. Some have mesh covering the face if you’re in a serious “war zone” or Australian cork hats have little cork pieces hanging from string that swing back and forth to act as a windshield wiper of sorts against incoming bugs.
Avoid traipsing around in the woods at dusk and dawn which are the prime times for our little friends. You can wear long sleeves and pants, although this may not be an appealing option on a sweltering hot day. In that case, there are sprays and oils to use on exposed skin.
Look for products with the following ingredients alone or in combination for an effective, natural repellent. Avoid the chemical-based treatments and opt for formulas using essential oils as the active ingredients.
