Summer is a beautiful season, but there are a lot of bugs that try to attack you in the hotter, more humid regions. Some bugs and pests definitely have their purpose, but others can be hazardous to our health. Mosquitos can carry harmful diseases and flies can transfer over 100 pathogens, which can cause a person to experience digestive discomfort, fever, or cholera.
As a defense mechanism, a lot of people coat themselves with chemical bug sprays during the summer months. These insect repellents typically have an unpleasant odor, and they can also be the cause of allergic reactions. Bug sprays are also not the most beneficial for the environment. In fact, most insect repellent sprays contain DEET, which was developed by the US Army during WWII to fight off fleas, ticks, chiggers, mosquitos, and some types of deer flies. The use of DEET was deemed harmful to the environment, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actually re-approved its use in the 1990s, even though it can interfere with healthy nervous system function. Additionally, reports have linked DEET to seizures, hypotension, hives, or impaired brain cell function.
No matter how well-sealed, clean, or dry your home is, bugs manage to find their way in the house. Bugs don’t like essential oils, but certain essential oils work better at repelling various insects. Let’s take a look at some essential oils you may want to use:
- Peppermint: Proven to be a natural insecticide, peppermint essential oil is great for repelling mosquitos, ants, fleas, spiders, flies, and beetles.
- Lavender: Lavender essential oil has a calming aroma, but this same aroma can help get rid of fleas, flies, and beetles.
- Lemongrass: Among its many uses, lemongrass essential oil is good for repelling fruit flies, flies, fleas, and mosquitos.
- Eucalyptus: In addition to aiding decongestion, eucalyptus essential oil, can be effective against sand flies, aphids, earwigs, and whiteflies.
- Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is definitely worth keeping on hand because it has multiple uses. It can also repel spiders, mosquitos, ants, and more.
You don’t have to worry about using damaging chemical bug sprays because making “bug away” essential oil candles is incredibly easy. If you feel up to it, you can make a few essential oil blends to add to these candles. Try them out and see if they help. Let us know how you like them in the comments below.
Ingredients:
- Mason jar that holds about 16-20 ounces
- Water
- 1 small lemon
- 1 lime
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
- essential oil of your choice
- floating candles or tea lights (metal casing removed)
Instructions:
- Slice the lemon and lime into thin rounds.
- Fill each mason jar with about 14 ounces of water. You can use less water if you have a smaller mason jar.
- Add the lemon and lime slices and the rosemary to the mason jar. Put about 10-12 drops of your desired essential oil and mix it up.
- Place the floating candle in the jar and light it to help keep the bugs away.
