Pest Control Without Chemicals

Summer brings many different types of pests that most of us don’t want to deal with. Spiders, mosquitoes, wasps and bees top the list of most individuals. We want protection but have reservations about using DEET and other chemicals included in most pest protection products.

DEET is actually considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when used sparingly and for brief periods. But let’s face it – when we want protection from mosquitoes we lay on the product liberally and spray it every couple of hours when spending any amount of time outdoors.

DEET is found in a variety of insecticides using several different trade names including Autan, Delphene, Detamide, Deltamid, Flypel, m-Delphene, Meta-Delphene and Off. There are actually 53 different repellents that contain DEET sold on the market today. It was originally developed and patented by the Army in 1946 for use in insect infested areas and then registered for use by the general public in 1957.

After completion of a comprehensive re-assessment of DEET, the EPA concluded that using the product under label directions and using proper precautions would not present a health concern. Label directions will warn individuals to avoid using over open wounds, for long periods of time, on hands or mouth, or avoiding over-application of the product. All of these warnings make most individuals leery of using the product on themselves or their children.

There are some very simple and effective alternatives that can be used safely on children and adults.

1. Real vanilla can be used straight from the bottle, dabbing it on a cotton ball and rubbing it on the neck, forehead and arms. 1 tablespoon of vanilla can also be added to 1 cup of water, placed in a sprayer and misted over the body.

2. Vaporub and Absorbine Jr. also work to keep gnats and mosquitoes away. They smell pretty strong, but when used outdoors most people don’t mind.

3. Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil that is mixed ½ and ½ with rubbing alcohol has been a favorite mosquito repellent for years. Today, Avon produces their own version so you don’t have to do the mixing. The bath oil also works well as an insect repellent in the home. If there is a path that ants take to access the home rub full strength Skin-So-Soft bath oil around the baseboards and calked areas of the home and the ants just disappear.

4. Essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender and rosemary are all essential oils that have been found effective against mosquitoes. These oils can be purchased at the health food store or online. They shouldn’t be applied directly to the skin, but instead added to some jojoba oil. Some believe that these essential oils don’t last as long as products that contain DEET but a study from the New England Journal of Medicine showed that oil of eucaplyptus at 30% concentration would prevent bites for up to 120 minutes, almost 4 times the time that DEET wards off bugs.

5. If you are outside running the grill then throw on some sage or rosemary on the coals. The odor will repel mosquitoes.

6. Another effective, and safe, repellent is garlic. Mixing one part of garlic juice and 5 parts of water in a small spray bottle. Shake this well before using, spraying lightly over exposed body parts. Strips of cloth can also be dipped in the mix and hung on areas around the outdoor area.

7. Planting marigolds around the yard can also work as a natural repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance that bugs and other flying insects don’t like.