Shoe Fly! Don’t Bother Me!

(Photo Courtesy: Buds Organics)

Baby C is celebrating her first birthday with her first trip to the lake.  Right now, I’m packing everything except the kitchen sink and heading to Deep Creek, Maryland.  In addition to her bathing suits, cover ups, sunglasses and sunscreen, I must remember to toss insect repellent in the bag.  But with her history of eczema and her young age, I have to research what I rub on her sensitive skin.  Before I spray DEET, I wanted to see if there were any organic alternatives available to prevent pest problems.

ANTS 

Garlic wards off more than vampires away!  The strong smell keeps ants at bay as well.  Cut up cloves and place them around your deck or patio.  If you don’t want to hold your nose, use cucumber rinds or cinnamon sticks.  If you’re at home, you can plant mint near your doors. My grandma Hopson did this, and we used the mint leaves at our teddy bear tea parties.  You can control ants versus killing them.  Although the itsy bitsy bugs are a pest, they control termite populations and aerate the soil.  They’re also a food source for birds.

MOSQUITOES

Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, so make sure you dump not only buckets but baby pools as well.  After fun in the sun, drain your blow up pool or invest in a cover.  You can always use the water to water your flowers and plants.  If you need to get rid of the blood sucking bugs by the barbecue grill, sprinkle sage or rosemary on the coals.   And if you’re like me—a mosquito magnet—eat more garlic or drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.  Vitamin B1 is also said to repel insects.  Avoid floral or fruity fragrances.

Dress baby in cool, cotton clothes, since mosquitoes are attracted to perspiration, which contains chemicals.  California Baby sells an insect repellant made specifically for your little. Also, cover up at night.  Dress your baby in long sleeves, pants and closed-toed shoes if the temperatures cool down.  If there is a fan, stay close by, because mosquitoes aren’t the best fliers.  My mother also picked up stroller netting, in case the mosquitoes are biting in droves.

FLIES

Tired of swatting flies away from your food at barbecues?  Put a clean cloth or dish sponge in a tin.  Saturate it with an essential oil (lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, peppermint or lemongrass).  Replenish the oil after each use.

TICKS

If your taking your other “baby” out and about, make sure you spray on tick repellant.  Protect your pet with citrus, something ticks hate.  You can make a repellant by boiling water and any combination of 2 sliced citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruits) for about a minute. Let the mixture simmer for an hour, then remove the fruit with a strainer.  Once it cools, spray on your dog’s fur, your skin or your lawn. You can also add a drop of rose geranium to your dog or cat’s collar, especially since your cat may take cover when you pull out the spray bottle.

HOMEMADE INSECT REPELLENT 

Want to make your own insect repellant?  Rub on essential oils like lemon balm (citronella), pennyroyal, lavender, peppermint or rose geranium.  Check with your pediatrician before applying the mix to your baby’s sensitive skin.  Natural isn’t equivalent to safe.  Some people are allergic to plant oils,

And remember, natural repellents often require more frequent reapplication.

REPELLENT RECIPE #1:

10-25 drops essential oil. Try lavender, rose geranium (for ticks), coriander seeds, peppermint, cajeput and citronella

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (optional)

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; stir to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing.

REPELLENT RECIPE #2:

25 drops essential oil (see above)
1/4 cup water or organic apple cider vinegar

(Recipes from The Daily Green, Good Housekeeping’s consumer guide to going green.)

What repellents do you use on your little one?