During the winter months people generally enjoy staying indoors and avoiding the harsh conditions the outside world has to offer. Unfortunately for you, so do the bugs living around your house.
This winter start using all-natural insect repellents to keep freeloading bugs at bay without spraying your house full of chemicals. Here are five natural, easy to prepare insect repellents.
Lavender
Lavender oil is one of the most commonly used oils when it comes to aromatherapy. But what many people don’t know is that it can also act as a very effective insect repellent. The use of lavender oil as bug repellent has been around for centuries, and it is effective at preventing the infestation of fleas, black flies, black beetles, green flies and white flies. It is also effective at preventing infections caused by bug bites. Try using lavender pillows and sachets to keep moths and bed bugs away from your sleeping area. You can also pour lavender oil into a spray bottle or just allow it to sit in a saucer to keep away other insects.
Basil
Basil essential oil has a strong, spicy aroma, so it is no wonder that it acts as such a great insect repellent. One study showed that basil not only has strong insect repellent qualities, but it is also a very effective larvicide. This means that it will prevent any insects that were in their larval form from hatching.
Citrus
Citrus oils have proven to be an effective, aromatic insect repellent. Try using a bergamot essential oil, an oil made from the rind of a bergamot orange. Citrus is especially effective as a flea and ant deterrent. If you don’t have any citrus oils, just squeeze some orange juice, pour it into a spray bottle and spray any areas that you believe are infested.
Peppermint
Peppermint creates a refreshing minty aroma and acts as a natural, good smelling insect repellent. In one study, the use of a peppermint extract applied directly on skin proved as effective as it’s aromatic repellent qualities. To make use of peppermint as a repellent, try leaving mint tea bags that have been dipped in water around areas where you think insect infestation is present. Peppermint has been shown to be both an effective repellent and insecticide, making it appropriate for heavier infestations.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is quite possibly the most effective natural insect repellent that you will be able to find. One study found that a eucalyptus-based insect repellent was just as effective as a typical DEET-based insect repellent. Eucalyptus based repellents are especially effective against mosquitoes, flies and moths. Any standard eucalyptus essential oil can be used as an insect repellent.
Sources:
Lavender: http://info.achs.edu/blog/green-cleaning-10-essential-oils-that-naturally-repel-insects#_ftn2
Basil: http://info.achs.edu/blog/green-cleaning-10-essential-oils-that-naturally-repel-insects#_ftn2
Citrus: http://info.achs.edu/blog/green-cleaning-10-essential-oils-that-naturally-repel-insects#_ftn2
Peppermint: http://info.achs.edu/blog/green-cleaning-10-essential-oils-that-naturally-repel-insects#_
Eucalyptus study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=J%20Am%20Mosq%20Control%20Assoc%2C%201996%3B%2012%3A%20243-46