There is nothing like being outdoors and being one with nature. That’s what makes hiking and camping so great. What’s not so great are mosquitoes and other biting insects that can turn your little piece of paradise into an itchy hell. More importantly, mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile fever and malaria in certain areas, so preventing mosquito bites can be critical to staying healthy.
Repellents containing DEET are effective and, if used in concentrations of 10% or less and as prescribed, are likely to be relatively safe, but there have been concerns about toxic effects at higher concentrations. Many people are now looking for alternatives to products that contain DEET.
Here are some easy tips to keep mosquitoes away naturally when you’re hiking or camping, so you can fully enjoy your outdoor experience.
1. Pack some Bounce Dryer Sheets – stock up at the supermarket before leaving home. There are many brands of dryer sheets, but Bounce has the best track record for deterring flying insects; it has to do with the particular pH of the Bounce brand.
Attach a fresh dryer sheet to your belt or belt loop and this will keep the “mosquitoes” away. You can put one in your pocket and then take most of it out so it’s hanging, waiting to keep those pesky bugs out. Hang one on the stroller to keep your baby safe. Hang one on the umbrella pole of your dining table for a “no-bite” meal. You can also rub the dryer sheet on your skin and clothes.
The chemicals in the dryer sheets apparently combine with the natural chemicals produced by the skin to form complexes that deter most mosquitoes and other flying insects.
2. Make your own essential oil spray repellent– citronella (lemon balm), peppermint, cedarwood, lemongrass, lavender, geranium, and catnip are all essential oils that have been shown to repel mosquitoes. Catnip is said to be 10 times more effective than DEET.
You cannot apply essential oils directly to the skin, so you must prepare a solution. For a spray solution, dilute 10 ml (about 1/2 fluid ounce or 2.5 teaspoons) of essential oil with 80 ml (about 3 fluid ounces or 1/3 cup) of water or grain alcohol (vodka, whiskey, etc.). Put this in a spray bottle and use as needed. If you’re using alcohol, the vodka is less likely to leave you smelling like you’ve been drinking.
Solutions of this concentration work in 30 minutes to 2 hours, so you should apply them often, especially after swimming.
In India, neem oil mixed with coconut oil to make a 1-2% solution has been found to be very effective, so if you are backpacking in India, make sure you get some of this.
try this spray – 10 ml (approximately 1/2 fluid ounce or 2.5 teaspoons) of citronella added to 80 ml (approximately 3 fluid ounces or 1/3 cup) of water or Vodka. Then shake and apply as a spray. Alternatively, use a mixture of 10 ml of citronella, eucalyptus and citronella oils in 80 ml of water or alcohol.
Catnip repellent is very good, but it should not be used on young children or on people with a catnip allergy. Mix 5 ml (about 1/4 fluid ounce or 1/2 teaspoon) of catnip essential oil with 240 ml (about 8 fluid ounces or 1 cup) of rubbing alcohol (rubbing alcohol or surgical alcohol) and 240 ml of water (approximately 8 fluid ounces or 1 cup).
3. Make your own essential oil repellent – this is a strong version using essential oils where you simply apply a few drops to your skin or clothing or soak up some paper towels and leave them near store doors. You should be careful with some essential oils if you are pregnant or using a child under 2 years of age if you use this method.
To make the repellent, add 10 drops of essential oil to 30 ml (about 1 fluid ounce or 2 tablespoons) of vegetable oil, such as almond oil, olive oil, soybean oil, in a glass jar. Stir to combine. For essential oils, choose one of the following: citronella (lemon balm), peppermint, cedarwood, lemongrass, geranium, lavender, basil, garlic, eucalyptus, and feverfew.
try this oil – 5 drops of lavender oil plus 5 drops of citronella oil added to 2 tablespoons of almond oil. Rub on skin or clothing (only if age 3 or older)
4. Use fresh herbs – If you have fresh basil, you can rub some crushed leaves on your skin to act as a repellent. Alternatively, rub lemongrass leaves into the skin; better yet, use the substance inside the lemongrass stem.
You can also crush herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, basil, and garlic, and place them on a plate near where you are eating or sitting; it is better to cover the dish with a muslin or other mesh to prevent insects from flying into it.
5. Use lemon dishwashing – put some lemon scented washing up liquid in a shallow white dish with a thin layer of water and place it about 6 meters (20 feet) away from where you are. This isn’t so much a repellent but it attracts mosquitoes away from you!
Hopefully these simple and natural remedies will keep you “bite free” this holiday season.