The word “pesticide” has come to be surrounded by many negative connotations, and not all of them fairly. While over-exposure to any chemical is ill-advised, some pesticides aren’t just useful, they’re necessary for modern day life to function in America. As the weather heats up and more and more people start spending time outdoors, questions begin to arise about the safety of insect repellents.

Particular brands and types of insect repellents like DEET have a reputation for being harmful and/or unsafe. While questions surrounding such products are certainly worth considering, there is no conclusive research showing links between any over-the-counter bug spray and adverse health effects if used correctly. If you’re opposed to using chemicals of any kind, however, to ward off bugs, you may want to consider using one of the many natural, organic bug repellents…

 

Citronella: You’ve heard of citronella candles, of course, but have you heard of citronella oil? It works similarly to the candles to ward off mosquitoes and other stinging insects.

Peppermint Oil: You may think the delicious smell of peppermint would attract bugs but you’d be wrong! They fly the other direction when they get a whiff of mint.

Rosemary: Rosemary grows abundantly in even the smallest of home garden and it’s available at almost any grocery store.

Witch Hazel: Perhaps the most trusted of any natural insect repellent, Witch Hazel is an old remedy for all kinds of ailments, but it works well enough it’s included in many commercially manufactured bug sprays.

Vinegar: White vinegar works best when applied directly to a surface other than the skin, like the floor or on a windowsill, to ward off ants and other creepy intruders.

In actuality, just about any essential oil can act like a bug repellent if used correctly. At the end of the day, bugs are attracted to blood and food, not plants, which is what they think those oils indicate. When making homemade bug spray, mix a few drops of the oil or deterrent you choose with distilled water and a pinch of epsom salts for the best results.

Be aware that even though your natural bug spray may be effective, it won’t stay on the skin for long. Unlike conventional bug sprays that last for hours, homemade remedies need to be reapplied about every half-hour or so.

If you notice a persistent bug problem around your home that you’d like to alleviate rather than mitigate, contact a pest control provider in your area to talk about your options.