June is finally here! Many of you are seeking outdoor events that will be perfect for your family.
Family Fishing Festival, a free annual event is taking place at Bald Eagle State Park on Saturday, June 9th from 4-8 PM. No fishing license is required. Fishing instruction, equipment and bait are provided making this event perfect for those who are not experts but want to join in on the outdoor fun. www.register-ed.com/events/view/121794.
With outdoor fun comes insects. No one wants itchy bites, and we have all heard about the diseases that mosquitoes and other insects carry. Some of the stories are very alarming, prompting us to find protection, however, many of us are searching for options other than synthetic pesticides for our families. This means using more "natural" plant based options. But where can we find these products?
Trying to find a solution, you search the internet only to find endless recipes for homemade insect repellents and sprays. An overwhelming amount actually. (I know. I've gotten very lost in that internet search.) There are so many choices that it only leads to more questions. What recipes are the best ones? What recipes actually work? How do I even find all of the ingredients to make my own? The questions go on and on. So instead of adding another recipe to the vast DIY section of the internet, I am going to answer some of the most important questions. This blog is a guide to choosing the best natural and alternative insect repellents and sprays for you and your family.
Here are 7 answers to 7 common questions about "natural" or plant based insect repellents and sprays:
1. How do I know what works?
Insect repellent sprays, candles, and various other items work by using scent. If insects can't smell you, then they can't find you. Insect repellents are made to mask your natural body odor with something that is not as delicious smelling to insects. You are going to want to include a combination of essential oils in the ingredient list in order to cover a wide range of insects, but you do not have to have every oil listed as an ingredient to get results. Always make sure the essential oils are blended with a "carrier oil" such as soybean oil to get the best results with less irritation.
Common oils are: Citronella, Cedar, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, Clove, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Lavender, Catnip, Witch Hazel, and Soybean.
2. How often do I have to apply it?
Reapply every 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the weather and how much you are sweating. Many natural, plant based ingredients have a high rate of evaporation. This means that if you are sweating a lot on a very hot day, you are going to want to reapply it more often. On the other hand, humidity is a separate issue. Humidity should be taken into consideration as well. It can be a very hot day, but it is a dry heat with little humidity. The more humid the day, then more water is in the air. The more water in the air means less evaporation occurs. In other words, a less humid day means you are going to have to reapply more often than a day with high humidity.
3. Any precautions to application?
You should always do a spot check before using any new skin products. Apply a small amount on an area such as the inside of your wrist. Wait 24 hours, and if there is no rash, no redness, or no irritation in that spot, then you can start using the product over a larger area. Be sure to follow directions on the bottle and always avoid your eyes and mouth. Many repellants can be irritating with prolonged exposure, therefore applying it to clothing will help minimize any skin irritation, but will also help to protect from the biting insects. Remember... be sure that your insect repellent is made with a "carrier oil" such as soybean oil in order to get the best results with less irritation.
4. I have sensitive skin. Should I just use candles?
Yes, you can. Candles (such as citronella) work in the same way as sprays. It repels by scent. The only downside to candles is that you cannot take a candle with you while doing activities like hiking. Also, do not feel that you have to spray insect repellent on your skin. You have the same benefits if you spray the insect repellent on your clothing. Just make sure the clothing is breathable and covers your skin as much as possible.
5. Will this be safe for my children?
Do not use on any child under the age of 6 months unless you consult with your child’s pediatrician. The skin of babies this young is highly susceptible to toxicity, they are much more sensitive to lotions, sprays, and detergents. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of 3. If you are traveling or live in an area where there are large populations of insects like mosquitoes, you can purchase insect netting (Bed, Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Amazon, etc) for everything from cribs to carseats to strollers.
6. If I want to make my own spray or candles using a recipe, how do I find the ingredients?
You must buy high quality essential oils from a reputable source. The label is very important. You want to look for terms such as "organic", "GC/MS tested with reports available" and "sustainably sourced". Botanical name, plant part, country of origin, distillation date and/or expiration date, and chemotype are also important information.
You want to be sure that the places you are purchasing from are part of a recognized organization like National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy because they will be held to higher ethical standards. A company that I have used (not for their essential oils yet but for their yummy drinking teas) is one that is trusted: Mountain Rose Herbs https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/aromatherapy/essential-oils
7. I do not want to make my own insect repellent. That's a lot of work. Any suggestions on what to buy?
There is a local, family owned and operated store, Trade Secrets, in downtown Altoona, PA that offers an all-natural bug spray called Don’t Bug Me. Trade Secrets has a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/secretsintrade/ where all of their products are listed for purchase. The store is located at 1223 13th Ave., Altoona, PA.
Another local, organic and independent company, Una Biologicals, offers an insect repellent that I personally use. You can visit their store at 4322 Butler Street in Pittsburgh, PA or you can order online and have it shipped right to your door. https://www.unabiologicals.com/wellness/insect-repellent
Another Organic Spray that is available and safe for use on children: YaYa Organics Tick Ban and Squito Spray
If you feel more comfortable using synthetic options and/or would like to read further on this topic, please read R.E.I.’s https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insect-repellents.html guide on safe application/insect repellent. This company is the expert on all things outdoors.
Visit the Atlas Therapy website for more blogs and information. Additional helpful resources:
How to Choose High Quality Essential Oils. https://theherbalacademy.com/how-to-choose-high-quality-essential-oils/
10 Natural Ingredients That Repel Mosquitos. https://www.healthline.com/health/kinds-of-natural-mosquito-repellant
Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing Marta Ferreira Maia and Sarah J Moore Malaria Journal 201110 (Suppl 1):S11 https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-10-S1-S11 © Maia and Moore; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011 Published: 15 March 2011
How Does Infant Skin Differ from Adult Skin? https://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/743529
