bugs

Best Money Tips: Natural Ways to Repel Bugs

Amy Lu — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 08:30:09 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on natural ways to keep bugs at bay, myths that keep you from getting rid of your stuff, and cheap alternatives to hotels.

The 5 Best Bug Repellents

Andrea Cannon — Thu, 19 May 2016 09:00:11 +0000

There's nothing like a group of pesky mosquitoes to spoil a nice family vacation. To combat this, it's important that you have a reliable bug repellent that you can count on to repel bugs when you are outdoors. Some natural repellents, such as lavender, witch hazel, eucalyptus oil, and cinnamon oil, can detract some bugs successfully. However, you won't find something as reliable as one of the bug sprays on our list.

What Is Bug Repellent?

Bug repellent can be applied directly to the skin, clothing, or other surfaces that may be affected by insect bites. An insect repellent discourages insects from landing and attacking the surface area. Bug bites can be itchy, frustrating, and can cause infections. Most importantly, some bugs carry diseases and their bites can be potentially deadly. This is what makes a reliable insect repellent so important to have in your bathroom and travel bag.

If you don't want mosquitoes, ticks, and other common insects ruining your next outdoor adventure, then protect yourself from bites by using a dependable bug repellent. You can enjoy the outdoors again by protecting your skin from sun damage, bug bites, and other external damage. Just make sure to apply sunscreen and then apply insect repellent on top, every time you are outdoors.

Top 5 Bug Repellents

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent

As Amazon’s #1 best seller in camping insect repellents, the Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent is the best non-chemical, DEET-free bug repellent on the market. It kills and prevents mosquitoes, deer ticks, sand flies, midges, stable flies, and other biting insects. It is highly effective, long-lasting, and will protect you against ticks for eight hours and mosquitoes for seven hours. It can even repel mosquitoes that can potentially be carrying the West Nile Virus for up to six hours.

It can hold up in tough environments, but needs to be used twice daily for the best results. The new convenient spray makes it even easier to apply to your skin, face, and clothing. It does not leave any greasy or sticky residue behind after it dries, and it won't stain your clothing or damage your plastics or synthetics. While it is safe and natural, it still is not suitable for babies or toddlers under three years old. It does have a strong scent, so if you don’t like the smell of lemon and eucalyptus, this may not be the one for you.

Time Magazine found that this bug spray has the recommended ingredients that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) deems safe and effective. The main ingredient, oil of lemon eucalyptus, is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Canadian public health authorities. Professional studies have shown that Repel is the only natural repellent that can compete with chemical insect repellents. Consumer Reports named this the best natural insect repellent and WebMD, Parents.com, and various online magazines also recommend this effective repellent.

Currently $4.97 on Amazon

Eco Defense Bug Spray All Natural Mosquito Repellent

As Amazon’s #1 new release in pest control sprayers, Eco Defense Bug Spray All Natural Mosquito Repellent offers maximum protection for hours, even in the worst conditions. Most natural mosquito and bug repellents simply don't work as well as the versions containing chemicals.

However, this bug spray is backed by outstanding reviews online and a 100% money back guarantee, so you can feel confident that it really will repel bugs and mosquitoes away from you. It will effectively stop mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, no-see-ums, fire ants, flies, and gnats in their tracks. It has a proprietary blend of 100% all natural ingredients, including Geraniol, and has no harmful ingredients, fumes, toxins, or DEET. It is safe for the entire family to use on your skin and clothes.

Currently $11.99 on Amazon

Avon SKIN-SO-SOFT Bug Guard PLUS Insect Repellent Moisturizing Lotion

The Avon SKIN-SO-SOFT Bug Guard PLUS Insect Repellent Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 is highly effective against mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, gnats, no-see-ums, and biting midges. It also has SPF 30 sunscreen protection, so it can serve as your sunscreen and bug repellent in one. In fact, the non-greasy sunscreen lotion will even moisturize your skin in the process with aloe and vitamin E. It also has a Gentle Breeze scent, so it won’t leave behind any chemical smells. The waterproof lotion is DEET-free and PABA-free.

Time Magazine found that this bug spray has the recommended ingredients that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) deems safe and effective. It is hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and suitable for the entire family, so even your children can use it. It is moisturizing, can protect your skin from the sun, and will prevent bug bites, making it an incredible value and perfect for your travel bag.

Currently $11.95 on Amazon

Cutter All Family Insect Repellent Mosquito Wipes

The affordable Cutter All Family 15 Count Insect Repellent Mosquito Wipes can repel mosquitoes that may carry West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes tend to be the main problem during outdoor adventures, so these wipes are meant to mainly target mosquitoes, but also offer soothing protection from ticks, biting flies, and gnats for up to two hours. The convenient wipes just need to be wiped on your face, neck, and skin for instant protection. They are safe for the entire family, so even children ages two months and older can use them. They are soft on your skin, won’t leave behind a greasy or oily residue, and have a cooling clean scent. There are 15 wipes in the pack and because they are in a resealable Ziploc pouch, they won’t dry out for a long time, and are really convenient to toss in your purse or travel bag.

Time Magazine found that Cutter sprays and wipes have the recommended ingredients that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) deems safe and effective. WebMD and Consumer Reports also recommend Cutter repellents. Cutter has been offering all different types of repellentsfor every pest you can think of, for more than 50 years. So if these wipes aren’t right for you, check out the other effective, affordable options in the line.

Currently $2.90 on Amazon

3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion

The 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion formula was developed for and used by the U.S. Military. And if it’s good enough for the military, it should be good enough for your travel bag. This is a very small container of lotion, so it isn’t the most cost-effective option, but it is worth the extra money. If you are planning an activity in a densely wooded, wet, or tropical area, then you need 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion. You will be at a greater risk for insect-related illnesses like malaria, Lyme disease, or West Nile virus, and this lotion can help reduce your risk. The water and sweat-resistant lotion can repel mosquitoes, deer ticks, biting flies, chiggers, gnats, fleas, and deer flies.

Thanks to its time-release technology, the lotion gradually releases the 34% DEET for up to 12 hours of protection, so it will last through all your outdoor activities. However, the strong DEET formula makes it unsuitable for kids, who shouldn’t have more than 30% DEET. It is easy to apply and absorbs quickly into the skin. It can leave behind a greasy feel, but it does not contain alcohol, so it won’t irritate your skin. Consumer Reports named this the best insect repellent thanks to the slow-release DEET formula. Experts, doctors, and WebMD also recommended this effective repellent and refer to it as the longest-lasting insect repellent. It is also consistently rated the best repellent by independent testing labs. It has overwhelmingly positive reviews online and is backed by a five-year guarantee.

Currently $6.81 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best bug repellents. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Cheap Ways to Get Rid of Household Pests

Laurel Randolph — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:30:31 +0000

Have a pest problem? It’s time to take control — pest control. Commercial traps and poisons costs can add up quickly and be less than effective, and calling in the professionals can easily exceed your budget. (Note: if your infestation is totally out of control, then definitely call a professional.) To rid your house of unwanted visitors the DIY way, try the following cheap and effective techniques. (See also: 8 Cheap Ways to Deter Garden Pests)

1. Clean Up

The best way to keep pests out is prevention. I know, I know, you already have pests. But preventative measures can help keep the problem from escalating, and actually help get rid of existing pests. The best way to keep unwanted bugs and rodents away is to keep your house extra clean and in good repair. Pests tend to be attracted to the unsightly elements of a house, like unsealed or old garbage, leaky pipes, and food residue. They can also enter your home through cracks, rotted wood, and be attracted by overgrown plants and piles of firewood or debris nearby. Keeping things tidy will help keep pests out in the first place, and a good clean up can help make your home less than hospitable to current invaders.

2. Spritz With Vinegar Spray

If your pesky problem is ants, then try a vinegar and water spray. Mix roughly one part water and one part vinegar in a spray bottle. Track down the ants to find their trail and see where they are entering the house. Spray at their entrance and along the baseboards, door, and/or windows. Follow the trail and spray its entirety. This will kill the ants sprayed, and more importantly, it will ruin their scent trail. Keep an eye out for more ants, and spray wherever you see one hanging out. Let sit before wiping up dead ants with a cloth, and repeat when you see more ants. Even if they don’t come back right away, repeat a few times the first week to keep them at bay.

3. Homemade Bait

Vinegar spray isn’t enough to get the job done? Create a homemade ant bait to rid your house of the pests. Rather than buying costly traps, make a Borax and sugar mixture and put in small containers. Place them in the ants’ path and let them feast. These ants will take the mixture back to the colony to share, killing more ants. This process could take a few days, as more ants come to grab the mixture and take it back to their hiding place. Depending on the time of year and the type of ant, they may be more into fatty foods, so something like peanut butter would make a better bait. If the sugar fix isn’t working, try mixing Borax with something oily or fatty.

4. Diatomaceous Earth

If you’re not into organic gardening, you might be scratching your head. Diatomaceous earth is a powdered substance made up of fossilized remains of phytoplankton. It’s non-toxic, harmless to mammals, and lethal to bugs. Some farmers feed it to their animals to help ward off pests, and some people include it in their diet for various potential health benefits.

To get rid of pests in your home, sprinkle food-grade (not the kind for swimming pools) diatomaceous earth along baseboards and in corners — anywhere you typically find bugs. Use enough to get a good dusting, but do not pile up the powder, or bugs will just crawl over it. It may take a few days to work, but it will eventually kill the bugs in your home, and keep future bugs at bay. Diatomaceous earth can be effective at killing ants, spiders, and even bed bugs.

5. Less Water

It seems too simple, but if you’ve got tiny little gnats flying around your house, your plants could be the problem. Fungus gnats are attracted to moist soil, and will happily have babies in your potted plants. An easy way to get rid of these tiny insects is to let your plants completely dry out on the surface before watering. This will kill the larva and prevent new gnats from reaching maturity. Make sure your plants have good drainage, and clean up any standing water. Not only will these techniques solve your gnat problem, they are also good for your plants.

6. DIY Traps

Fruit flies and cockroaches can be a real annoyance, and while setting traps won’t completely rid your home of an infestation, they can help catch stragglers and keep your living areas bug-free. To create a homemade bug trap, cut off the top section of a plastic soda bottle. Invert it, and tape or staple it to the bottle opening, making a funnel into the bottle.

To catch fruit flies or gnats, pour apple cider vinegar in the bottle. If you don’t have a huge population of the little flies in your house, using this trap for a few days can take care of the problem. For cockroaches, fill the bottom of the bottle with soapy water. Cockroaches are attracted to water, and will crawl in and drown. If a wasp made it’s way in your house, or they are ruining your picnic, pour some honey or other sweet into the trap to attract them.

How do you ward off pests … naturally?

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This article is from Laurel Randolph of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Cheap Ways to Deter Garden Pests

Ashley Marcin — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:00:12 +0000

When we moved out of our urban neighborhood last year, we had no idea how our summer gardening efforts might change. Almost immediately, we discovered that living slightly closer to the country meant critters — lots of them. So, we've had to bulk up our pest-control efforts considerably. Here are some friendly ways to keep the fruits of your labor from falling prey to bugs, bunnies, deer, and more.

1. Insect Spray

Try this DIY insect spray on your plants and you'll see a huge difference in just a couple weeks. You may even have all the ingredients on hand. Combine two cloves of garlic with three cups of mint leaves, cayenne pepper, and biodegradable dish soap. This mix repels bugs, and it's best to spray on the leaves of your plants on a cloudy day so it doesn't burn them.

2. Soapy Solution

Are deer cramping your style? You can cut up bars of Irish Spring soap, attach to stakes using scraps of fabric, and scatter throughout your garden. The benefit here is that you don't need to reapply anything after rainstorms like you do with sprays and other methods. Plus, your yard will smell amazing.

3. Cornmeal Wonder

Get rid of ants and weeds with a simple cornmeal application. Stow this tip away for next year because the gluten works against seed development, so it's best to sprinkle in the early spring before the weeds actually sprout up. If ants are your bigger issue, you're in luck. They will carry the cornmeal back to their homes. It disrupts their digestion, but it will take about a week to fully work.

4. Bunny Banisher

We were most surprised last year to find an entire family of bunnies nesting underneath our tomato plants. This season we're hoping to keep them away with this organic rabbit repellent. This frugal mix of garlic, red pepper, water, and dish soap works best after it has soaked in the sun for a couple days. Apply to your plants once a week continuous control.

5. Hair Helper

Save money by cutting your hair at home. Then use the clippings in your garden to keep deer and other animals out of your plants. This method is one I learned from my mother-in-law, and it's surprisingly effective. It should help repel deer, rabbits, and snails all while acting as a mulch and natural fertilizer. Summer is a great time for a shorter style anyway. Hair that isn't heavily shampooed works best.

6. Bird Netting

We can't forget birds in this list. Keeping them out can be as easy as installing bird netting atop your raised beds. You'll need a staple gun to make the process go faster, but just secure the netting to the side of your box, stretch over your plants, and secure on the other side. Alternatively, you can use stakes to secure the netting in the ground if you don't have raised beds.

7. Scare Tactics

Pick up a few cheap aluminum pie plates at the dollar store. Then stake them up using some string to create a quick homemade scarecrow. The sound and bright shine should keep birds and other animals away.

8. Easy Eggshells

Slugs and snails will steer clear of this eggshell solution. Place the shells in a large bag and crush using your hands or feet. From there, scatter the pieces around plants once a week. Those critters don't like sharp edges, so it should stop them in their tracks. Bonus: the calcium in the eggshells also fertilizes your garden.

What are your favorite DIY garden protection methods?

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Ways to Eliminate Ants Without an Exterminator

Ashley Marcin — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 15:00:15 +0000

Ants. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. Well, wait a minute. Yes, I can definitely live without ants crawling all over my kitchen floor. So, in the last month I have fought and won the battle with these tiny beasts. And I am here to share with you how I did it — sans exterminator.

(Note: Though these methods are all natural, you'll want to keep most of these ingredients and mixtures out of reach of children and pets.)

1. Cleaning

First and foremost, try sweeping, vacuuming, and wiping down flat surfaces (counters, floors, etc.) on the daily. Consistent, scrupulous cleaning should at least help the issue by eliminating anything that's attracting ants. Of course, your castle could be neat as a pin and still have an ant highway a mile long.

2. Blocking

Though I haven't personally had wonderful results with this tip, our neighbor reports that she got rid of ants by caulking gaps near her doors and windows. If there are obvious places where the ants are getting in, this idea might work well for you. We did try it, but they found a new path a few feet over in our dining room.

3. Spices

At the first sight of ants, I sprinkle cayenne pepper or ground cinnamon to make a barrier. I learned this trick while researching ways to keep bugs out of my child's sandbox without chemicals. In your home, sprinkle spices close to entry points to deter the ants from crossing the line. I've read that chalk works in a similar fashion, especially on the outside your home.

4. Vinegar

Or you can go with a spritz or five of vinegar mixed with water. The combination helps to get rid of the pheromone trails the scouts leave the lead other ants through your house. This step is pretty easy if you're wiping down floors and countertops regularly (see above!) — vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner. (See also: 30 Household Products Vinegar Can Replace)

5. Borax

A friend of mine shared with me that she puts out bowls of powdered sugar and borax. The sugar attracts the ants. When they consume it, they also consume the borax, which eventually kills them by disrupting their digestive systems. You can also make a wet mixture by combining about a cup of sugar with a tablespoon of borax and a half cup of boiling water.

6. Essential Oils

Peppermint is a powerful ant repellant. A simple line of the essential oil at window sills or on the floor near an entry point should make ants scurry in a hurry. If you'd rather create a formal solution, try this peppermint spray that combines the power of peppermint, citronella, and lavender essential oils.

7. Castile Soap

I use a lot of castile soap in my indoor routines, so I love that I can spritz a household cleaning spray on ants to give them the hint. To make the spray, just combine water, tea tree oil, and a quarter cup castile soap in a bottle. Use as needed — it will kill ants on contact — and wipe up when you're done.

8. Boiling Water

If you can find the source of the ants outdoors, try pouring boiling water over the anthill. My grandmother swears by this method, and she'll occasionally mix in some dish soap in a 1:1 ratio. Try pouring atop the anthill two or three times in a single day for the best results.

What natural solutions have you tried to deal with ants?

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Simple All Natural Bug and Mosquito Repellents

Ashley Marcin — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:00:04 +0000

Bugs. Can't live with them, but can't live without them. Despite all the good flies, mosquitoes, bees, and other insects do for our ecosystem, they can sure seem like pests during that backyard BBQ or annual camping extravaganza. With a little foresight, common sense, and maybe a few essential oils, however, you can battle with these creatures and win. Better yet? You can do it all without using harsh chemicals or other ingredients that are hazardous to your health. Here are 10 ways to keep the bugs away. (See also: Homemade Sunblock and 6 Other Recipes to Get Your Skin Ready for Summer)

1. Loose Cover

When I hang outdoors for long periods of time or go camping, I try to wear a lightweight layer, usually loose cotton or linen, that covers my extremities as much as possible. It's not a perfect method because bugs can squirm their way in wherever there's an opening, but it can dramatically reduce the number of bites and stings I experience. Tucking in shirts and wearing shoes instead of sandals is the next stage of defense.

2. DIY Bug Repellent

With a base of purified water or witch hazel, this DIY bug repellent comes together quickly and easily. You can use any combination of essential oils that appeal to your senses (or that you happen to have around the house), but the most effective and long-lasting combo is lemon and eucalyptus. (See also: 15 Wonderful Uses for Witch Hazel)

3. Natural Wasp and Bee Repellent

My friends and family know I am terrified of anything that stings. So, when I hear a buzz, I go running. I'd love to make some of thisnatural repellent — just equal parts peppermint essential oil and water. Peppermint is one of my favorite scents and is also cooling, which is an added benefit for the steamy summer weather.

4. Bug-Off Bars

For more portable bug protection, try these moisturizing lotion bars made with Purification and Thieves oil blends whipped into a coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter mixture. Also? They make great gifts — you can pour them into fun molds for extra flair.

5. Citronella Candles

If you're having company over, why not protect them all with these beautiful floating candles? They contain citronella oil, sliced citrus fruits, and sprigs of mint and evergreen. Yet another genius use of the ubiquitous Ball jar.

6. Mosquito Plants

I'd never heard of Mosquito Plants until I saw them pop up at our local garden center. The concept makes total sense to me, though. Though the plant itself doesn't repel insects — the citronella fragrance in the leaves works when crushed and rubbed on the skin. If you plant one of these, it's always in your garden and ready to use.

7. Fan Away

A trick my family has used for years involves nothing more than a standard box fan. Simply plug one in by your party (use an outdoor extension cord if you must) and make sure to weigh down any light objects that might otherwise fly away.

8. Netting

One of the surest ways to keep insects of all sorts away is by physically screening them out. If you don't have the space or funds to enclose a patio or porch, consider purchasing an inexpensive screened gazebo or umbrella net.

9. Color Game

Wasps and bees are attracted to the colors yellow and white. Conversely, they cannot see the color red. So, a great way to stay relatively invisible when you're working or playing outdoors is to choose your wardrobe wisely. And the same goes with any overly smelly perfume — they'll be attracted to it.

10. Avoid a Squashing Spree

It can surely be tempting to swat or squash a pest — especially bees, wasps, etc. — but doing so can cause more harm to you than good. Crushed bees emit a pheromone that attracts more of their buddies to come running toward the scene. Swatting makes the situation worse. If you find yourself in a swarm, run for the nearest indoor area and try to cover your head and face with a shirt for protection from stings.

How do you keep bugs at bay — naturally? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Unexpected Roommates: How to Get Rid of Roaches

Meg Favreau — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:48:26 +0000

I recently moved into — and then out of — an apartment that had cockroaches. I'm not just talking about those little guys (as disgusting as they may be) — these were the big fellas. And they had absolutely no sense of decorum. I could respect a roach if it came around just in the evening, when one expects to see roaches. But these guys would show up in the middle of the day, scurrying around my bathroom, under my couch, and in what was perhaps the worst — my laundry.

Over the past few weeks, I learned quite a few things about getting rid of roaches. Most importantly, you can get rid of them — and if your circumstances make it so that it's difficult to do so, you do have other options. Here's what to do if those creepy, apocalypse-surviving critters are in your living space. (See also: How to Get Rid of a Skunk Without Losing Your Dignity)

1. Remove All the Hiding Places

Roaches can hide in lots of tiny little nooks. Use caulk to plug up holes in baseboards, around plumbing, and anywhere else you might have a gap or cranny. Pay special attention to places they could get in from the outside, like windows. They also like cardboard, so consider throwing out boxes you might have lying around.

2. Don't Leave Things Out to Attract Them

If you already have roaches, you're not going to get rid of them by just hiding your food — they can live for a month without eats. But not leaving them a buffet can help.

3. Try Natural Deterrents

Roaches aren't as sensitive to natural deterrents as some other pests are, but bay leaves, garlic, and catnip can all help keep them away. Diatomaceous earth, a non-toxic powder made from crushed fossils, can also be sprinkled around to kill roaches; it cuts their exoskeletons.

4. Sprays and Baits

Baits should be placed wherever you see roaches congregate. They attract the roaches and leave them with a little bit of roach poison that they bring back to their nest. Sprays can be used to kill or maim roaches the moment you see them, but make sure not to spray baits or other traps; then the roaches won't going near them.

5. Use Boric Acid

Boric acid (available at pharmacies) is poisonous to roaches and can be very, very effective. I had a friend in college who had a roach nest in his house, filling every room with the little roaches, and liberal use of boric acid killed them off entirely. However, boric acid can be slightly toxic to small children and pets, so it's best not to use if you have anything crawling around that might lick a strange powder.

Apply the boric acid in a thin layer — roaches will avoid anything too thick. You can also attract the roaches to the boric acid by mixing it with some flour or sugar.

6. Fumigate

You can try doing it yourself with bug bombs, or you can hire a professional who will come in with high-grade chemicals. Again, these chemicals can be somewhat toxic, but they are effective. If you live in an apartment with roaches, however, it is usually not enough to fumigate individual apartments — roaches will simply move to other areas of the building. The most effective way to get rid of them is to tent the entire building and fumigate like that...a trouble that many building owners will try to avoid. Which brings me to my next point...

7. Move

This is not a necessity — you can get rid of roaches — but it is an option if you're a renter. If your apartment has a vermin problem, you can often legally move out no matter where you are in your lease. Check your state's specific rental laws; sometimes you have to wait a certain amount of time for the owner to try to fix the problem, while sometimes the presence of roaches (or other vermin) can allow you to break your lease immediately. Do your research, and if possible, document the problem — photographs and a detailed list of incidents are both great.

Have you dealt with roaches? What worked — or didn't work — for you?

This article is from Meg Favreau of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 Cheap and Easy Homemade Mosquito Repellents

Elizabeth Lang — Thu, 26 May 2011 11:30:29 +0000

Many joke that the unofficial state “bird” of Minnesota, my home state, is the mosquito. When summer hits, the mosquitoes start swarming. Of course, Minnesota isn’t the only place with mosquitoes; most areas of the world with standing water and lots of trees experience these pesky creatures. (See also: Use Beer to Get Rid of Pests)

Unfortunately, the easiest and most effective method to repel mosquitoes involves the toxic chemical DEET. While the health effects of DEET are not conclusive, they are scary enough to warrant the government recommending limited exposure. The CDC recommends that children over the age of two months and adults use repellent with DEET concentrations up to 30%, and Health Canada recommends that children under age 12 use mosquito repellents with a DEET concentration of less than 10%. Even though many repellents may have lower concentrations of DEET, I’d still rather steer clear of any mosquito repellents with chemicals.

Several companies now make natural mosquito repellents, but most are not cheap. Luckily, there are many homemade mosquito repellent recipes available on the internet.

Garlic Mosquito Repellent

Ingredients: Minced garlic, mineral oil, and lemon juice
Cost: Less than $5
Directions:

Mince a few cloves of garlic then cover with mineral oil. Allow it to sit for at least 24 hours. Next you take a teaspoon of *just the oil* and mix it with 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Strain through a cheesecloth if you have any floaties then pour into a spray bottle. Shake before each use.

Recipe from Tipnut

Lemon Eucalyptus Mosquito Repellent

Ingredients: Lemon eucalyptus oil and sunflower oil or witch hazel
Cost: $9.50 for 8 oz. of lemon eucalyptus oil (can be purchased on Amazon.com)
Directions: Mix 1 part lemon eucalyptus oil for every 10 parts of sunflower oil/witch hazel. Rub or spray on skin.

Recipe modified from About.com

Lavender Mosquito Repellent

Ingredients: Fresh lavender (the flower)
Cost: Free (if you have lavender growing in your yard); otherwise Home Depot sells the plant for about $12
Directions:

Rub a lavender flower behind your ears, wrists and neck. Not only will you smell great but mosquitoes will leave you alone.

Recipe from Garden Mandy

Vanilla Mosquito Repellent

Ingredients: Vanilla extract
Cost: Less than $5 at grocery store
Directions:

Apply some vanilla extract or vanilla essence to your pulse points.

Recipe from Nora’s post about Easy Homemade Mosquito and Insect Traps

Are there any homemade mosquito repellent recipes that you’ve tried? How did they work out?

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This article is from Elizabeth Lang of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Use Beer to Get Rid of Pests

Danusia Jolliffee — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:00:20 +0000

As winter drags on, you might be tempted to stay indoors and have a few beers to keep the chill out. Of course, we’re not the only animals searching for warmth and protection from the harsher weather, but we’re also not the only animals to appreciate a bit of beer. In fact, you can use cheap or leftover beer to trap many different bugs and pests.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are among the most disturbing of household pests, but you can stop them with some things you probably have around the house already.

Take a jam jar with a rounded inside lip. Coat the inner lip with Vaseline, then put a slice of beer-soaked bread at the bottom. The cockroaches will be attracted by the smell of beer, but the Vaseline-coated lip will make it impossible for them to escape. You can then dispose of them however you see fit.

Another method to trap cockroaches involves less glass between you and the bugs. If you leave a rag that is soaking in beer out overnight, roaches will again be attracted to the beer and will probably throw the roach equivalent of a rave. But in the morning, they will still be drunk and won’t be able to scurry away when you come in to get rid of them.

Fruit Flies

Fruit flies can also easily be trapped with a bit of beer. They are attracted to rotting and fermented food, essentially what alcoholic beverages are. So although this is an article about using beer to get rid of pests, you can use just about any alcoholic beverage to trap fruit flies.

In this method, simply place a sheet of paper with a small hole in it over the top of an open can or bottle of beer. The fruit flies will fly in to feed on the beer, but will be unable to figure out how to get out of the opening. Then you can just get rid of the can of beer and the flies all at one time.

Mice

Mice love a bit of beer, and you can create a humane trap by pouring some beer into the bottom of a bucket. Place a piece of wood or something similar to act as a ramp, so the mice can climb up the ramp to get at the beer. When they leap in to get the beer, they won’t be able to climb back out.

You can then take the bucket (carefully, since you don’t want to traumatize them or hurt them) and release the mice outside.

Slugs and Earwigs

Once springtime comes around, you can still use beer to repel bugs and other creepy crawlies in your yard.

Slugs, and to a lesser extent earwigs, can cause a lot of damage to plants and your lawn. Having a couple isn’t a problem, but if there are too many (or if you just hate that slime slugs leave everywhere), you can treat the problem without having to worry about putting out dangerous chemicals.

There are many ways of trapping slugs and earwigs, but the principle is the same. Put a shallow dish with stale beer close to the ground (either dig a hole to put a can or jar lid in, or just pop it on the ground), so the slugs and earwigs can crawl in. They will then drown in the beer, and you can throw the whole thing out.

Make Your Own Insect Repellent

You can also make your own insect repellent for your yard using beer, as well as a few other household products: Epsom salt, mouthwash (the kind that doesn’t kill germs), and dry yeast.

Open a can of beer, and let it go flat.
Mix together one cup of each of the following:
1. The flat beer
2. Epsom salt
3. Mouthwash
Pour the contents into a large spray bottle, then add half a package of dry yeast.
Put on the lid of the spray bottle and shake vigorously to dissolve the yeast and the rest of the salt.
Spray it on your grass and around plants to keep insects from crossing any perimeters.
Repeat this every 20-30 days from spring to fall.

The great thing about this insect repellent is that it is also a fertilizer: The magnesium in the salt and carbohydrates in the beer feed your plants, while the alcohol in the mouthwash repels insects.

You should take care not to spray this on flowering plants, however, as it might kill them!

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Guest Post Blurb:

This is a guest post from Danusia Jolliffe, the Online Community Manager for Rentokil Pest Control. She looks after the blog deBugged, as well as @Rentokil on Twitter. Her main hobby outside of work is netball — playing, umpiring, and serving as Club Captain. Read more from Danusia:

This article is from Danusia Jolliffee of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Snail Free Gardening

Andrea Karim — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 20:17:27 +0000

Green gardening should be cheap. Organic gardening was the way of the world before chemical companies found ways to create compounds that could destroy pests quickly and effectively. The thing that makes organic gardening less-favored than, say, using pesticides, is that it's not as efficient. You have to put more effort into organic gardening.

But it's worth it. It's cheap, it's fun, and you can protect your water supply. Remember, whatever we spray on our lawns and gardens ends up in our drinking water.

I haven't had too much luck with critter control where I live. Seattle is a very snail and slug-heavy area, and I have one very serious problem:

I love snails.

I think snails are beautiful. I grew up in an area where there simply aren't any snails, and I was so taken with the little guys when we used to visit my grandmother in Pasadena. I was heartbroken when my father announced the ingredients to the escargot that I had just sampled while dining at my very first French restaurant. When I take my dogs out for their last walk at night here in the Pacific Northwest, I often have to tiptoe through the streets because the snails come out in droves and line the sidewalks - I can't bear to step on one.

Thus, I can't stand the idea of drowning them in beer or setting traps and then throwing them in the garbage (although I don't suppose I would object to some one actually trapping and eating them - I wouldn't do it, but I can see why someone would).

My mom used to drip some weird, sludgey black poison to protect her roses from slugs. I never liked this, and snail bait can be very dangerous to household pets. But I'm happy to report that there are plenty of ways to reduce the damage that slugs and snails do to your garden that don't involve pesticides. Sure, it take a bit more elbow grease than plain ol' poison, but it's worth the effort.

I should stress that there's probably no such thing as a snail-free garden, just a garden that snails don't really like to visit that much.

Here are some tips from discouraging those mollusky visitors, courtesy of The Garden Helper:

Pulling the weeds from your garden is something you need to do anyway. As you pull each weed, you remove a potential slug outpost.
Keep all decaying matter cleaned out of your garden beds. While leaves make a good mulch, once they begin to compost they become food and shelter for slugs and snails.
Prune the branches of any shrubs which are laying on the ground. Keep the old leaves and such cleaned out. By doing this you will have destroyed yet another slug haven!
Cultivate your soil regularly to keep the dirt clods broken up, and unearth any slugs which may have burrowed under the surface.
The shaded areas beneath decks can be a slug arena: keep them weed and litter free.
Keep the lawn edges trimmed. Slugs will congregate under the umbrella of unkept grass.
Cedar bark or gravel chips spread around your plant will irritate and dehydrate slugs.
Rosemary, lemon balm, wormwood, mints, tansy, oak leaves, needles from conifers and seaweed will repel slugs.
Enlist allies... snakes, ducks, geese, toads, and [chickens] would enjoy helping you out as they dine on your slugs.

Here are some other ideas that I've gathered over the years:

Create as sunny a garden as possible. Now, this is tough, especially for those of us who live in the Land of Perpetual Rain, but put all of your snail-prone plants in a sunny area. If you have lots of shady areas in your garden, try to keep it free of ground cover like ivy, where the slugs and snails like to sleep during the day. I have a long strip of skinny yard that is VERY shady, and I'm making it into a rock garden with some moss and a couple of tiny Japanese maples. It's low-maintenance and pretty, and snails just aren't interested in it.

Protect prone plants with copper barriers. For some reason, slugs and snails won't cross copper. You can buy copper foil online for pretty cheap. I have a teeny courtyard that I use to grow tomatoes, so I put copper around the base and around the lip of the huge ceramic pots that I use. It looks pretty as an accent if you put it on right. You can also put a loop around the base of a plant.

If you are a great big meanie, traps are easy to construct. Spray some beer on a board and place it, beer-side down, 1/2 inch off of the soil in a shady area of your garden. The snails that collect under there can be eaten, or thrown into your evil coworkers yard. You can go out at night and collect them, as well. They are nocturnal, so day time collection is harder.

Also, take note: another use for vinegar!

"As you wage your war on slugs and snails, you are almost certain to be 'slimed' at least once. YUK! Mix up a little warm water and vinegar, and use this formula to remove the slime from your hands like magic!"

Photo by mozzercork.

This article is from Andrea Karim of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

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Snail Free Gardening