As a devoted camper and true outdoorsman, I don’t want to be in constant fear of ticks or other bites that can carry diseases like West Nile virus. We all want to enjoy outdoor gatherings, camping, hiking, and hunting in late summer and fall without biting bugs.
By the time I was done with those pesky bugs that ruined my vacation every year, I tried all kinds of methods to get rid of bug bites. Since then I discovered a lot of effective natural methods and some store-bought repellants that really worked for me and ultimately saved my vacation. If you don’t know what to do about this pesky pest, take a few minutes to read these tips for getting rid of bug bites.
Natural insect repellants:
Homemade insect repellents are very effective and can be made at home cheaply and naturally. I have been using these self-made alternatives consistently for many years and have tried them in many different countries. Below are the few natural repellents that I found worked best for me:
1) Essential oils
You will need 10 to 25 drops of essential oil, witch hazel, and distilled or boiled water.
1) Fill a jar halfway with distilled or boiled water
2) Add a few drops of witch hazel oil
3) Add 10-25 drops of essential oil of your choice (the more oil you use, the stronger the spray). I prefer rosemary oil, lavender oil, lemongrass, clove, and peppermint oil. It works efficiently and smells good too!
4) After that, you will need to add one tablespoon of aloe vera and two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Blend the ingredients and pour the mixture into an open glass.
5) Apply a few drops of the content to your pulse points to deter bugs when outdoors. Reapply as needed.
This preparation is suitable for adults and it is convenient to know the contraindications of each essential oil. It worked very efficiently for me against ticks, mosquitoes and biting flies.
2) Fresh or dried herbs
Again, you will need distilled or boiled water, witch hazel, and herbs (lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, lemongrass)
1) Fill a jar with distilled or boiled water
2) Add 3-5 tablespoons of fresh or dried herbs in any combination. I usually use lavender, citronella, and a bit of peppermint.
3) Stir the mixture well, cover it and let it cool.
4) Add 5 tablespoons of witch hazel oil
5) Remove the herbs and apply the mixture to your skin as needed.
It works very efficiently and is also refreshing for the skin. It has a very delicious smell! It used to work on ticks and mosquitoes for me.
3) Vinegar
The vinegar mixture is a super strong and effective insect repellant. It works amazingly well though, and this is the one I use when I go camping in the woods or in tick infested areas.
You will need apple cider vinegar, 5 tablespoons each of rosemary, lavender, thyme, and mint, and a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
1) Put the vinegar and dried herbs in a glass jar with a tight lid
2) Mix or shake the mixture every day for at least 2 weeks
3) Remove the herbs and store the mixture preferably in the refrigerator.
4) Before use, dilute it by half with water
5) Use it only if you need radical error control.
Warning: This mix has a strong odor when wet but works wonders. After being applied it loses the strong smell. It worked for me on any bug!
Store-bought repellants
If you don’t have adequate resources for homemade repellents or if you prefer to buy insect repellant at the store, you want to make sure you get one of the most effective ones. Below are my favorite repellents that I’ve tried on different camping trips around the world:
3M Ultraton
This type of repellent is recommended by many experts. It is especially good at repelling insects in very humid and wooded areas. It is also very effective for long term use and has been shown to repel insects for up to 12 hours. One of the reasons 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent is so effective is because it contains DEET. DEET is a type of yellow oil found in most store-bought bug spray. Some people claim that the active is dangerous and that it would cause skin damage and rashes. Since I am not an expert in this field, I just want to share my experience with this product. Ultrathon was performing very well in wet and humid conditions in Indonesia and Taiwan. It didn’t smell as bad as other products and I only applied it twice a day (in the morning and before I went gambling). I haven’t been bitten once!
Organic Extreme Bite Blocker
As a good alternative to 3M Ultrathon that does not contain DEET, I was totally impressed with Bite Blocker Extreme. I was using it during my camping holidays and I was not bitten by mosquitoes or ticks (mainly in the forest and by the sea). This repellent is not only very effective, but it is safe because it only contains plant-based ingredients. It can repel insects for up to 3.5 hours. You will need to reapply the spray frequently. For my taste it smells a bit.
How to apply insect repellent:
Insect repellent is any type of substance designed to repel insects. All you have to do is apply it directly to exposed skin and clothing. Avoid putting repellent on cuts or abrasions on the skin. You should make sure to wash your skin as soon as you get back inside. Regardless, if you haven’t used essential oil products on your skin yet, do a skin patch test before using them and it’s recommended to talk to your healthcare professional before using as an insect repellant.
Security Concerns!
Pregnant women can use repellent because there is no evidence to suggest that it can harm the mother or the baby. The safest types of repellent for pregnant women are natural and DEET-containing repellents. Children can use insect repellant, but parents should avoid getting it on their hands because children often put their hands in their mouths. The repellant should also not be used around the mouth or hands.