This is what you have worked hard for all year long. You’re sitting in a boat at one end of a fishing pole. The only sounds that you hear are the gentle lapping of the water against the side of the rowboat and the song of the cicada in the distance. It’s time away from work while you listen to the gleeful sound of your children as you watch them swim and play in the lake. And don’t you just love that romantic picnic in the meadow with the bird and insect songs in the background? These are just a few of the wonderful outdoor activities of summer that can bring a smile to our faces and joy to our hearts. It’s easy to find ways to celebrate each day when you are relaxed and sharing time with loved ones outdoors. With outdoor activities come bug bites. It’s important to protect yourself from bites since insects like mosquitoes and ticks can carry serious disease. Unfortunately many insect repellents are made of horrible chemicals that I cannot bring myself to apply to my skin. There are natural alternatives. Here are some suggestions and a recipe for an essential oil blend that I have found effective against bugs.

Wear protective clothing and headgear if you must be in areas of high insect population. Shoes, socks and long pants are a must in meadows where deer ticks may be hiding out. Try vitamin B1as a nutritional supplement for a day or so prior to a camping or canoeing trip. According the The Whole Earth Catalogue, 100 mg of B1 thiamine per day will cause you to emit an odor that mosquitoes find rather unpleasant. This is a healthy way to repel them.

Many plants have a built-in, natural defense mechanism to prevent insects from munching on them. Catnip, basil, lavender, pennyroyal and rosemary are some of the common garden herbs that make their own insect repellent oils. These herbs can be combined into bug blend teas to be sprayed onto the body. Tansy, southernwood, wormwood and pennyroyal are also used as an external application. Combine equal parts of any of the dried herbs mentioned above. Use about 1/3 cup of your herb mixture per one cup of boiling water to make a strong tea. After your infusion to cools, strain and store in a glass spray bottle in the fridge. Spray exposed areas of skin as desired. Note: Tansy, southernwood, wormwood, rosemary and pennyroyal are not to be used during pregnancy or on babies.

You can also purchase repellent essential oils at your local health food or aromatherapy store. Citronella, spike lavender, cedarwood, geranium, patchouli, rosemary and juniper are classic examples. Basil, eucalyptus and tea tree oils have moderate insect repelling properties as well. You can blend your own products with these essential oils and unscented carriers. These oils are very potent and can irritate the skin, so always dilute to a 4 percent essential oil to carrier ratio (except for spike lavender which can be applied undiluted). A 4 percent ratio is 24 to 28 drops of essential oil to one ounce of unscented carrier lotion or oil, depending on dropper size. Your homemade lotions and oils will smell pleasant and it’s fun to get really creative with your blends.

On the patio or porch candles made of citronella and patchouli create a pleasant scent while they ward off mosquitoes and flies. Most hardware stores carry them. Basil, geranium and eucalyptus essential oils can be dropped into the dish of tea light candle aromatherapy diffuser as an alternative to toxic sprays. Try placing potted citronella, scented geraniums and patchouli plants around the deck, porch or patio. Their pungent essential oils can help keep bugs at bay. Smoldering incense cones or sticks saturated with cedarwood or patchouli can help to keep your back yard barbeque bug-free.

No tackle box or first aid kit is complete without a bottle of natural insect repellent. Catnip essential oil has been shown to be effective against bug bites. Dilute catnip essential oil as recommended above. A little bottle of spike lavender is handy as well. I apply spike lavender neat (undiluted) to the back of my neck to dissuade those nasty little flies that like to bite us there. It can also be dropped onto a hat, socks or jacket depending on the material they are made of. Some synthetics are dissolved by certain essential oils so check with the manufacturer before applying them to clothing, tents, patio furniture cushions, etc.

Don’t let the biting insects keep you from enjoying the fabulous summer sunshine. Your local health food store has some healthy alternatives to toxic chemical bug sprays and lotions. Keep the bugs from bugging you naturally this summer. Have a peaceful, joyful one.

Woodsy-Scented Bug Oil/Lotion

Combine the following essential oils with one ounce of unscented carrier oil or lotion. Shake well prior to application. Check for allergies/irritation on a small area of the wrist before using all over the body.

10 drops cedarwood

7 drops juniper

4 drops citronella

4 drops geranium

2 drops patchouli

Karen Stokes, RN is an aromatherapist, herbalist and homecare/hospice consultant who has been involved in natural healthcare for 25 years, (248) 651-8636.