If you want to help reduce the pollution of the planet -and protect your health at the same time - consider using natural pest control rather than toxic chemicals. You can use essential oil insect repellent with confidence, knowing that it's safe for pets and children, doesn't pollute the environment, and works beautifully.
In the old days, newly discovered insecticides were embraced and used enthusiastically. Perhaps the most notorious was DDT, hailed as the answer to plagues of bed bugs, mosquitoes, and the coddling moth that was destroying apple orchards. Many other bugs succumbed to this powerful poison.
Other insects attacked crops; other pesticides were developed. Meanwhile, many bird populations declined, some almost to the point of extinction. It was discovered that birds eating DDT-laden bugs produced eggshells so fragile that they broke in the nest. Fish and other wildlife were endangered, too. Environmentalists rose up in protest. DDT was banned.
People are still concerned today, as bees are disappearing around the world and chemicals like DEET are found to be carcinogenic. Essential oils, in contrast, are natural volatile oils that can be safely extracted from plants and that are very effective against pests. They are safe to use in your home, garden, and barnyard. They are safe for all the beneficial insects, the birds, the fish, and the animals around us.
Essential oils should be diluted in a carrier oil or water/witch hazel solution. For a 4-ounce spray bottle, 1 ounce of witch hazel to 2 ounces water is a popular carrier, although you can use vodka in place of the witch hazel. 50 to 75 drops of essential oils - you can use several together - are added. The oils will separate out, so shake vigorously before use. If you are using alcohol in the mix, add 1/2 ounce of jojoba oil for moisturizing.
Instead of water, you can use a carrier oil. Sunflower, extra-virgin olive oil, apricot kernel, and fractionated coconut oil are all good carrier oils. An oil-based insecticide is good when you need a long-lasting effect; for instance, you can rub a tea tree oil mix on your dog to repel fleas and ticks. A fragrant oil is great for moisturizing summer-dry skin while also keeping biting insects away.
Many of the fragrant oils you are familiar with repel mosquitoes; citronella is one of the best known. Horseflies keep off when you use tansy, thyme, peppermint, and cedar wood. Lemon eucalyptus may be harder to find, but it's said to be the most effective against the most different kinds of bugs. For ticks, use tea tree oil. Gnats don't like the mints, eucalyptus, or citronella. You can help keep them away by spraying your hat, sticking a few springs of mint or lemon balm in your hatband, and rubbing the leaves of any of these herbs on your face and arms.
The volatile oils in plants attract pollinators while repelling pests. Check out the other oils you can use: grapefruit, clove, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, and lemon. A few drops of peppermint oil keeps spiders out of basement corners. With use, you'll find your favorite natural bug repellents.
In the old days, newly discovered insecticides were embraced and used enthusiastically. Perhaps the most notorious was DDT, hailed as the answer to plagues of bed bugs, mosquitoes, and the coddling moth that was destroying apple orchards. Many other bugs succumbed to this powerful poison.
Other insects attacked crops; other pesticides were developed. Meanwhile, many bird populations declined, some almost to the point of extinction. It was discovered that birds eating DDT-laden bugs produced eggshells so fragile that they broke in the nest. Fish and other wildlife were endangered, too. Environmentalists rose up in protest. DDT was banned.
People are still concerned today, as bees are disappearing around the world and chemicals like DEET are found to be carcinogenic. Essential oils, in contrast, are natural volatile oils that can be safely extracted from plants and that are very effective against pests. They are safe to use in your home, garden, and barnyard. They are safe for all the beneficial insects, the birds, the fish, and the animals around us.
Essential oils should be diluted in a carrier oil or water/witch hazel solution. For a 4-ounce spray bottle, 1 ounce of witch hazel to 2 ounces water is a popular carrier, although you can use vodka in place of the witch hazel. 50 to 75 drops of essential oils - you can use several together - are added. The oils will separate out, so shake vigorously before use. If you are using alcohol in the mix, add 1/2 ounce of jojoba oil for moisturizing.
Instead of water, you can use a carrier oil. Sunflower, extra-virgin olive oil, apricot kernel, and fractionated coconut oil are all good carrier oils. An oil-based insecticide is good when you need a long-lasting effect; for instance, you can rub a tea tree oil mix on your dog to repel fleas and ticks. A fragrant oil is great for moisturizing summer-dry skin while also keeping biting insects away.
Many of the fragrant oils you are familiar with repel mosquitoes; citronella is one of the best known. Horseflies keep off when you use tansy, thyme, peppermint, and cedar wood. Lemon eucalyptus may be harder to find, but it's said to be the most effective against the most different kinds of bugs. For ticks, use tea tree oil. Gnats don't like the mints, eucalyptus, or citronella. You can help keep them away by spraying your hat, sticking a few springs of mint or lemon balm in your hatband, and rubbing the leaves of any of these herbs on your face and arms.
The volatile oils in plants attract pollinators while repelling pests. Check out the other oils you can use: grapefruit, clove, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, and lemon. A few drops of peppermint oil keeps spiders out of basement corners. With use, you'll find your favorite natural bug repellents.
About the Author:
Find a list of the benefits you get when you use an essential oil insect repellent and view our selection of essential oils at http://www.paulopolis.com/product/petitgrain-orange-essential-oil-2-oz now.