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6 Natural Insect Repelling Solutions

Fuse / thinkstock.com

Fuse / thinkstock.com

With the blissfully sunny days of summer come the inevitable swarms of insects. Itchy mosquito bites, clouds of fruit flies…no one has time for any of that! While liberal applications of commercial insect repellants may be effective, they’re typically full of harsh ingredients that can be irritating at best, toxic at worst. Instead of risking harmful side-effects and filling your home and body with chemicals, why not try something a little gentler? Read on for easy, inexpensive, and best of all, all-natural insect repelling solutions.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Even the most fastidiously clean chefs can attest to the endless frustration caused by fruit flies. These tiny winged menaces hover around kitchen counters, crawl into wine glasses (especially bad if you’re sipping a red), and generally just make dining a little grosser than usual. Seeing as you probably want to avoid using toxic sprays or solvents near your food prep area, why not try this helpful little trick brought to us by the fine ladies at The Goods? All you need is a small Mason jar, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (ACV), and a desire to give fruit flies a permanent eviction notice. Very good indeed!

Essential Oils
Not just for aromatherapy, essential oils are an excellent way to ward off annoying bugs safely and naturally. All you need is a carrier liquid such as apricot seed, grapeseed, or jojoba oil, essential oil, and a bottle to mix it in. Some of the best essential oils to use for bug repelling purposes are rosemary, eucalyptus, bergamot, lemon, and rose geranium.

Apple Cider Vinegar AND Essential Oils
Since ACV and essential oils are powerful tools of insect destruction on their own, it only makes sense that combined, they are truly a force to be reckoned with. To make a super powerful, all natural, and incredibly inexpensive repellant, combine 1/4 cup ACV and 25 drops of essential oil (try peppermint). Seriously, that’s it.

Repellant Soap
We all have to clean ourselves so why not add a little insect repelling to shower time? Next time you’re at the store, pick up a bottle of unscented castille soap (Dr. Bronner’s is a great option) and some essential oil (lemon balm and lavender work well). Add 15-20 drops of the oil to the soap, shake well, and use every time you wash. While this isn’t a great option if you’re heading out into the back country, at least not on its own, it’s perfect for frequent hops outside.

Sage
Not just for flavouring your food, sage possesses excellent insect repelling properties that help keep outdoor spaces blissfully bug free. All you need is a bundle of dried sage and matches. Simply light the bundle and allow it to burn, letting the air fill with a yummy-smelling but powerfully repellant smoke. Perfect for those who don’t like the smell of citronella.

Lavender
Not only does it smell amazing, lavender is a great way to keep the pesky insects at bay without resorting to chemicals. To make a highly effective yet simple repellant, partially fill a bottle with dried lavender flowers (organic is best), and then add white wine vinegar until the bottle is full. Cap the bottle and set aside for a week or so to infuse. Shake before use, dab liberally on your body and/or clothes and get ready to say goodbye to itchy bites.

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