Not only are bugs annoying, but they can also carry multiple risks. Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and more. Even for bugs that don’t carry diseases, you and your kids can still end up with an itchy or painful bump.
Here are our suggestions for natural ingredients to look for in your bug repellent:
1. BuzzPatch Mosquito Repellent Patches
That’s right. We saved the best for first.
Discover The Natural Patch Co.’s BuzzPatch Mosquito Repellent Patches. Effective for both you and your kids, these stickers are equal parts fun, effective, and natural. That is a winning combo if we’ve ever heard one!
The BuzzPatch Mosquito Repellent Patch utilizes an incredibly popular bug-repellent ingredient– citronella. We will delve more into the benefits of citronella later in this article, but these stickers use this ingredient’s powers to great effect. The sticker also uses other all-natural essential oils to complete its effective formula.
Each sticker sports an adorable face that kids love, but this mosquito repellent works great for adults too! With a special blend of active ingredients, you can say goodbye to bug bites. Depending on their age and size, kids will need anywhere from one to four patches. Meanwhile, adults should expect to use between two and four stickers for maximum pest control.
Whether you are looking for a natural alternative to the harsh chemicals on the market, or if you are sick of using an imprecise bug spray that gets everywhere, these stickers have you covered.
They are DEET-free, Picaridin-free, chemical-free — and worry-free.
2. Stay Away From Frequent Bug Hangouts
Although this is less exciting than some of the other entries on our list, the number one way to repel bugs is to stay away from them in the first place. Of course, this is not always possible.
Our kids love to spend time outside, get messy, and play. These lovely memories will stay with them for the rest of their lives, but there are ways to minimize risk while still having fun.
Mosquitoes absolutely love standing water, so anything from a pool to a bog is sure to attract tons of them. There is only so much a product can do to repel mosquitoes, natural or otherwise, if you are totally surrounded by them. Give your natural mosquito repellent the best chance for success by staying away from spots that mosquitoes flock to.
No matter where you are, you might have realized that more mosquitoes tend to come out at a certain time of day. Our next tip will cover when that is and what you can do about it.
3. Bring the Kids Inside at Dusk
Nothing can turn an otherwise beautiful day sour, quite like a plethora of mosquito bites. Even if the day had been mosquito-free earlier, you might find that these pests come out in droves at night. Mosquitoes are at their most active between dusk and dawn, meaning that you and your kids are much more likely to get bitten during this time.
A way to mitigate this risk is to bring your kids in once it starts getting dark out. If you and your kids are not done playing just yet, that is when you should break out one of the many natural bug repellents on this list.
4. Use Powerful Essential Oils
It is about time that we got back to essential oils. These lovely-smelling substances have countless uses, so it makes sense that acting as a natural insect repellent would be one of them. These are just a few of the many essential oils that have been found to be particularly effective against bugs.
Most of these oils are best used by diluting them down with water, witch hazel, or another ingredient. Once that is done, they can be put into a spray bottle and used as a natural bug spray whenever you need it. A repellent spray made with essential oils also has the added benefit of helping you and your clothes smell better. Let’s be honest: After a long day of chasing our kids around, we could all use some added freshness.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Oil of lemon eucalyptus has been studied for its immense bug repellent properties. The oil smells clean and can also be used as a natural household cleaner when you are done outside.
Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass oil is another citrus variant that works well against mosquitoes and other bugs. For the best results, reapply this oil fairly frequently.
Catnip Oil
Not only does this frisky oil attract cats, but it also actively repels insects. Spray it around the house to get your feline friend ready to play and bugs running the other way.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is a frequent favorite among both essential oil buffs and people who are more new to their uses. It smells enchanting and is inherently calming, but lavender is also a powerful bug repellent. It’s pretty, powerful, and pretty powerful.
Peppermint Oil
Insects hate it when we are minty fresh. Spraying a peppermint oil mixture or utilizing peppermint oil-infused products can help get bugs to buzz off. If you already have an itchy bug bite, diluted peppermint oil can be applied to ease the discomfort.
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is a lesser-known essential oil, but it still has a wide range of benefits. Our favorite noteworthy point is that bugs despise it.
Cedarwood Oil
Also known as just “cedar oil,” this substance is safe for people and pets. Luckily, this natural pesticide is not safe for bugs.
Thyme Oil
We may cook with thyme, and we may never seem to have enough of it, but it can also fend off bugs.
Tea Tree Oil
This helpful oil comes from the Australian tea tree. Tea tree oil is yet another option on this list that, when diluted, is helpful to both prevent bug bites and to treat them.
5. Citronella Candles
For a more atmospheric way to keep mosquitoes at bay, look no further than a citronella oil candle. Citronella is a member of the geranium family, which is widely known for its insecticide-like powers. You can even make your own citronella candle at home with your kids for a fun and educational DIY activity.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
The natural, DIY bug spray of your dreams can be easily made with apple cider vinegar. Just spray it around the house, as well as anywhere else that you don’t want bugs to get in. Diluted apple cider vinegar is a jack of all trades: It can even help soothe sunburns!
7. Regular Vinegar
If apple cider vinegar isn’t quite your style, you can also opt for regular vinegar. After you’re done spraying the bugs away, you can also use this as a cleaning agent.
8. Neem Oil
Unlike some of the other oils on this list, neem oil cannot just be diluted with water. Instead, you must also add a drop or two of dish detergent to complete the mixture.
9. Coconut Oil
Last on our list, coconut oil actively repels bugs. Turns out that pests hate the fatty acids in this oil.
Bug Them Back
Insects have been bugging us and our families for long enough. By using these natural bug repellents, you can show them who’s boss.
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