Hans Seca
Guest Blogger
Protecting your kids from irritating bug bites this summer is important. Unfortunately, most synthetic insect repellents and insecticides are not suitable for use on children under the age of 12 years. So how can you discourage bugs without doing any harm?
Buying “Natural” Bug Repellents For Children
Just because it says natural on the label does not necessarily mean that an insect repellent contains no synthetic or hazardous ingredients. Always read the label carefully to ensure that no harmful chemicals or additives are contained in a proclaimed “natural” bug spray or lotion.
Even if the manufacturers claim that a product is safe for children, does not mean it can’t be harmful. Test the spray on a small area of skin to see if there is a reaction or if it irritates the skin. Use sprays on clothing or bedding rather than directly on the skin.
Create Your Own Natural Insect Repellent
Nature creates plenty of ingredients that insects simply despise and that can safely be used on children to repel all kinds of pests. Creating your own bug spray from these ingredients gives you the peace of mind of knowing exactly what it contains.
NEVER use essential oils undiluted.
Lemon Eucalyptus is one of the most effective insect repellents and is a main ingredient in many store bought products. Peppermint is a great way to deter mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. Citronella is a universal detterent for most types of flying and crawling bugs, however, it can attract bees.
All these natural repellents come in concentrated form as essential oils. Place a few drops of your preferred scent in distilled water or boiled water and pour into a spray bottle. Use to spray on skin, clothing or linen.
Add some vinegar, preferably Apple Cider vinegar, as a natural preservative and to increase the effectiveness of the spray. Keep it in the fridge so that it will last longer and provide an additional cooling benefit on hot summer days and nights.
Protect Your Home
There are plenty of natural remedies that will deter bugs from entering and making their home in your house.
– Rub the peels from oranges, tangerines, lemons or any other type of citrus fruit in areas where you don’t want spiders. Keep in mind that not all spiders are harmful and that they control other bugs in the home so leave some areas where they can take care of a insect problem for you.
– Sprinkle cinnamon or baby powder around the perimeter of your house, in doorways and on windowsills to prevent crawling insects from entering the home. Drawing chalk lines is also an effective means of deterring insects from gaining access to your home.
– Plant herbs around the perimeter of your home. Rosemary, Mint and Lemongrass are the most effective at keeping bugs away.
– Build your own insect traps to attract bugs away from you, your kids and pets. Sticky, sweet paper is ideal for attracting flies, bees and other flying insects. Simply apply some syrup to paper or cardboard strips, refrigerate and hang indoors or outdoors. Mix sugar, warm water and active yeast to attract mosquitoes. Place in an empty soda water bottle with the top half cut off and inverted to trap the mozzies inside.
Remember that a clean home is less likely to attract bugs. Make sure that no food is left lying around, rubbish is removed regularly and that floors and surfaces are clean and hygienic. A clean home is the most effective insect repellent of all.
About Hans Seca
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0 Comments on “Protecting Your Kids & Home From Summertime Bugs The Natural Way”
Thank you,i will be sure to be trying these.The Natural Way is the healthiest way we need to protect ourselves from harmful chemicals .
Thanks! I do not like using chemicals repellents as it is not good & I am allergic to some chemicals. Definitely Will try these.
Will have to try some of these. I hate applying chemicals to ouread skin. Hate choking on it. Will have to try some of these.
Mosquitoes just love my son so I’m always looking for something I can use to repel them without using all the chemicals. I am going to try the Lemon Eucalyptus. Thanks.
Hope it works for you! Good luck!
I don’t like using chemical bug repellent and try to use a natural repellent when I can.Thanks for the recipe to help get rid of mosquitoes.I will be making these traps soon to help get rid if them.
Good luck with it, Kathy! Let us know if it works for you.
Great article! I never thought about making my own natural bug repellent before – I’m going to try it! Thanks for breaking it down – makes so much sense now.
Thanks Patricia! Let us know if you have any luck with it!
interesting never heard of using cinnamon and chalk thanks for interesting info
In our experience, cinnamon really works like a charm! Keeps ants out better than any trap! Let us know if you have any luck with it, Erica! Good luck!
What an interesting article and incredibly easy to understand. The one fact I will always remember now is to spray on clothing rather than skin- you’re just never too old to learn. And the sprays are so simple to make, especially as I have the ingredients at home. Thank you for a most informative blog.
:) Glad you found it informative, Jean!
I really don’t like applying chemicals to myself and especially my kids, so any natural mosquitoes remedies that work are appreciated. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the information….really will try the peppermint and lemon. Never thought of using cinnamon or baby powder but I will try most of these
Thank you for the ideas. I’ve been wanting to switch to more natural products. I will be bookmarking this.
Glad you found this useful, Sarah!
wow i never realized all the natural ways to rid of bugs , i had no idea that there was any such this as Lemon Eucalyptus and its a great for repelling insects , thanks for sharing , i will def be saving this for future use !
So glad you found this useful, Treen! Thanks for the comment.
Great article and ideas. Some new ones that I definitely will be trying this summer.
Glad you liked this, Sherry! Thanks.