I ran in to my friend Lindsey on the weekend and she was asking for a blog about bugs....or more specifically how to keep the bugs away.
The active ingredient in most conventional bug repellents is DEET. DEET has long been associated with a number of negative health outcomes....
"Duke University Medical Center pharmacologist Mohamed Abou-Donia spent 30 years researching the effects of pesticides. He discovered that prolonged exposure to DEET can impair cell function in parts of your brain -- demonstrated in the lab by death and behavioral changes in rats with frequent or prolonged use".
DEET continues to be approved for use on children and adults because it is often considered "the lesser of two evils". What does that mean? Well, when camping, travelling, and/or hiking in areas where disease carrying bugs and ticks may cause illness (West Nile, Lyme disease), it is considered necessary to use a product to keep the bugs away. DEET is an incredibly effective bug repellent, and therefore highly recommended.
Generally though, bug sprays that are plant-based are nontoxic, safe, and for the most part just as effective as their chemical cousins. Chemical-based bug sprays, on the other hand, have been found by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to be slightly toxic, even when applied as directed due to the neurotox effects.
{I referred to the EWG in my blog post on sunscreens. They are an excellent reference if you're interested in finding out how "safe" your cosmetics are (everything from toothpastes to perfumes). If you are interested in finding out more about what's in your bug repellent (or other cosmetics) click on http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com, enter the name of you product to get it rated!}
Back to bug sprays.....
Most of the natural repellents are a combination of essential oils (eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, rosemary, etc.) to keep the bugs at bay. The one downside to plant-based repellents? They often work for shorter periods of time and need to be reapplied frequently.
The following two bug sprays have been reviewed by the EWG and given excellent ratings (based on ingredients and effectiveness!):
Badger Anti-Bug Shake & Spray (there is also a balm!)
Jason Natural Cosmetics Quit Bugging Me: Natural Insect Repellant Spray
Lindsey was particularly interested in a bug spray that wasn't too
"citronella-y", so I thought I'd mention my favorite addition to the summer survival kit....
Solvarome!
Solvarome is an essential oil combination consisting of: lavender, rosemary, thyme and more. It can be diluted in a 4oz spray bottle of water (3:1 ratio, Water:Solvarome) and used to keep the bugs away! *Note: It does need to be reapplied frequently. Keep it close and reapply every 30 minutes.
In addition to being a natural bug repellent, Solvarome is "antiseptic, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and analgesic on skin wounds and skin irritations. Solvarome is a versatile, fast-acting topical solution used to clean injured, irritated skin due to scratches, cuts and insect bites, and this disinfectant can be applied to cuts, open wounds, burns, scars and local edema. Solvarome is active in stopping pain and bleeding, hastening the healing process in all burns, ear infections, and all infection-related skin rashes, including chicken pox, measles and scabies." A single drop on the most annoying of bites will bring down swelling and itching, making it an excellent addition to a camping/first-aid kit!
Other Ways to Avoid Being Bitten
1. Stay indoors from dusk to dawn, the peak mosquito biting time.
2. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks when possible.
3. Wear light coloured clothing, mosquitoes like the dark colours better.
4. If the bugs are bad at your house, plant marigolds. Mosquitoes don’t like the smell!
3. Eat garlic (raw is best) before going outdoors. Garlic naturally repels bugs, the same way it can repel people!
Happy Tuesday Everyone!
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