“Stop Following Me!” A List of Various Insect Repellent Alternatives

In any time of any day of every year, insects visit and pester us. Some of them just buzz around and invade our privacy until we lose our minds, while many do harm by sucking off blood or even transferring bacteria that can make us sick. Pest control services are great for keeping insects out of our houses, but what if the pests attack us while we’re out and about? What if they start to chase us back in our homes?

Here are some alternative and improvised repellents with simple ingredients!

Fragrant insect repellents using essential oils

Essential oils are often used in making perfumes and in potpourris because of their natural and close-to-nature scents. Apparently, specific essential oils can also be used in making your improvised and personalized insect repellents. And apparently, specific essential oils repel specific group of insects. Get to know some essential oils and the insects that they naturally repel:

• Despite their relaxing effects, lavender can also help in battling ants and keeping away moths inside cupboards and chests of drawers.
• Basil is often used as an addition to tomato sauce, but its essential oil is ideal in dealing with summer pests – especially when you live near lakes and ponds. Basil essential oil is a natural mosquito repellent and can be used as dust mite controller.
• If you want to deal with common houseflies and mosquitoes both at the same time, you may consider using thyme essential oil.
• Pine, with its cool scent, is also effective in repelling mosquitoes.
• If you prefer a minty and cool aroma instead of the foul chemical scents, peppermint is the best choice. This essential oil can effectively eradicate mosquitoes and its larvae.

If you have no essential oils…

Here are some other alternatives to keep those pests away:

• Wear light-colored clothing since mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
• Avoid perfume, deodorant, and/or hairspray with fruity or sweet scent.
• As much as they taste great, refrain from eating tropical fruit since your seat will be deliciously fragrant. If possible, try munching on garlic and take a couple of tablespoons of cider vinegar in water every day. By doing this, your body’s pH level may change enough so that you’ll smell less sweet.
• Avoid going outside during times when insects are most active – especially during early morning and at sunset. Midday to noon seems to be a safer option to go outdoors and do various activities, but it’s also the time when the sun is at its peak, which may possible cause harm to your skin.
• Put up mosquito netting around beds and your children’s play zones.
• Remain in screened-in areas if possible. Or if not, have your own house built screens as to prevent insects and pests from entering your house.
• If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover skin.

Know that these insect repellent tips do not completely remove pests. That’s why it’s always better to call experts and professionals that can definitely deal with them.