Post by Sharon
It's that magical time of the year when you want to be outside and wear tank tops and shorts, exposing more and more flesh for the frenzied stalkers called garden and beach insects!
I'll share some possible ways to make outdoors not such a bad memory.
As this product below demonstrates, you might as well have fun while picking off the flies. The Bug-A-Salt rifle is a hoot and actually rather rewarding.
Bug-A-Salt Rifle
For your patio at nighttime, you might consider a bug zapper. They have pretty good effectiveness.
want some more natural solutions?
Some folks hang a bottle of water or an empty 2-liter soda bottle filled with water. How does this work? Well, flies don't like being around movement. They think it's a predator. So, the reflections and light hitting the bottle, give a prism of "excitement" in the environment that they do not like.
I've had fair success with the water bottle technique, but I feel as if the flies got used to it and kept coming around.
There are plenty of natural bug sprays you can make at home, but they do involve pricey oils like peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus and more. It's actually cheaper to buy a natural one.
There are plenty of natural bug sprays you can make at home, but they do involve pricey oils like peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus and more. It's actually cheaper to buy a natural one.
Citronella remains a standard to ward off mosquitoes. I've used this large one that has a few wicks you light - and it worked very well. The only down sides to this method is that if you leave the candle out (I live in the desert) it will become a puddle and if you don't like the citronella scent, it's not a good choice for you. I find it pleasant, but I grew up with Citronella!
Citronella Candle
Vitamin B1 in higher doses has been said to drive mosquitoes away, but studies haven't really supported it yet.
Vitamin B1
Homemade sprays can include a base liquid of apple cider vinegar or witch hazel or vodka or rubbing alcohol. Then, add some essential oil(s) like citronella, lemon eucalyptus, rosemary and/or lavender.
Bug curtains in doorways are a real life-saver. I'm not saying flies don't manage to get inside, but if you tend to leave the door open, it's wonderful. The magnets in the curtain make it clank back shut when you go through.
Once sand fleas or mosquitoes get you, try a good soothing lotion with calamine and oatmeal.
Those are some great ideas! I prefer the natural stuff over the chemical kind. Skin so soft is also an alternative that seems to work against mosquitoes. Thank you for sharing this Sharon. The bugs are definitely out!
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