Summer means spending more time outdoors, but that can cause nasty ailments like insect bites. Luckily, we have some tips to keep insects at bay and protect your skin.
The gossip
Nicole Railsback (@thefithomesteader) mostly shares details about her life and home on her Instagram page, but in a viral post she showed viewers how she keeps mosquitoes at bay during yard fires.
In the video we see a beautiful campfire in a metal fire pit with the creator holding a large sprig of rosemary over it. She drops the rosemary in and the caption reads: “Add this plant to your next fire to keep the mosquitoes away.”
How it works
Avoiding mosquito bites is a constant battle during the summer, but there are effective, all-natural methods to combat these pests. One proven way to reduce mosquitoes in your yard is to use mosquito dips, which are inexpensive and only harm mosquito larvae, keeping you and your family safe.
As Nicole shared, there are some plants and their essential oils that can also act as insect repellents. While research is still ongoing, there are studies that show that high concentrations of rosemary oil can keep mosquitoes at bay. An article published in Nature found that while rosemary may work, cloves and cinnamon were by far the most effective natural deterrents.
Some of these options may be slightly less effective than insecticides, but they can be better for you and the environment. Traditional bug sprays use ingredients like DEET, which can cause skin and lung irritation but are generally deemed safe for use on human skin by the EPA. However, pyrethrins, another common insect repellent, have been shown to be harmful to beneficial insects and even pets.
“You don’t have to sacrifice your health for convenience,” Nicole added in the caption.
Regardless of which insect repellent you choose, preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid several serious diseases, such as West Nile virus and yellow fever.
what people say
Commenters love the idea of adding insect repellent herbs to their campfires. One suggested a DIY spray: “I’m making a lemonade and eucalyptus spray for the summer that everyone loves and smells amazing!!”
Someone else wrote: “I’ve heard that putting fresh coffee grounds in your fire pit keeps bugs away.”
We love these creative ways to keep pests at bay during the long summer days and nights.
Sign up for our free newsletter for simple tips to save more, waste lessAnd Help yourself while we help the planet.
