With the moisture that we have had this spring, the mosquito population is thriving. And with all the insects buzzing about, it’s bound to drive a person crazy; so here’s some help to avoid toxic chemical insect repellents, stay bite-free this summer AND keep your sanity!
Natural insect repellents can offer a safe and effective option to keep the bugs away and it’s important to know what to look for as well as some practical behaviours to reduce the likelihood of being bitten.
Know Thine Enemy
Not all mosquitoes are equal - different types react to different stimuli. Most mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, but there are also mosquitoes that seek hosts during the day. You can avoid being bitten by making sure you aren't attracting mosquitoes, using a repellent and avoiding actions that diminish the effectiveness of the repellent.
Buzz Off!
Keep this list in mind when enjoying the outdoors this summer:
Stay indoors during peak feeding times (2 hours before sunset until sunrise): Days that are hot, sunny and windy decrease the chance of getting bitten.
Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing - Many mosquitoes use vision to locate hosts from a distance. Dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants.
Protect yourself especially while you exercise: Heat and perspiration as well as increased release of carbon dioxide and lactic acid all attract mosquitoes when you have been exercising. You also release more lactic acid after eating salty or high-potassium foods, so you may have noticed more bites when you eat a lot of bananas.
Avoid wearing fragrances: In addition to the floral or fruity fragrances that are found in obvious products such as perfumes, hair products and scented sunscreens, you should be conscious of the more subtle sources such as fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
Natural Repellents
It's very easy to make your own natural mosquito repellent. These natural products will effectively repel mosquitoes, but they can often require more frequent reapplication (about every 2 hours) and higher concentrations than DEET. After testing out many different brands, Natural Mosquito Repellent Buzz Away caught our attention. It’s made with pure essential oils - no DEET - and lab proven to be effective. This chemical-free repellent has been lab tested for its effectiveness, keeping mosquitoes and bugs away for hours. Buzz Away natural insect repellent is 100% natural and comes as an eco-friendly spray pump. With pure natural essential oils like cedarwood, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus and lemongrass - it smells great too! Here’s some indication of what all the buzz is about:
"I recommend Buzz Away to everyone. It smells great, it's safe and it works". Larry Clifford, AK
"Buzz Away works as well as DEET based repellents OFF and Skintastic." CNBC-TV on-air test
"Buzz Away is the most effective natural repellent tested" Tested against Avon's Skin So Soft, Bug Bite Block and others. Good Housekeeping Institute
"Buzz Away beat it's natural competitors Natrapel, Jungle Juice and tied with DEET-based Skintastic for effectiveness". University of Guelph, Ontario Agricultural College Field Study
Independent lab tests prove that Buzz Away keeps the bugs at bay for up to 2.5 hours, and because Buzz Away is 100% DEET-free and natural, it's an excellent choice for your whole family.
Because of the differences between types of mosquitoes, products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient. Natural repellents tend to be volatile plant oils:
Citronella Oil
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Cinnamon Oil
Castor Oil
Rosemary Oil
Lemongrass Oil
Cedar Oil
Peppermint Oil
Clove Oil
Geranium Oil
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