How to Keep Bugs Away Outdoors

When I was little and my family went on a picnic, at the first sign of a buzzing wasp or a line of ants, my mother would cry, “Quick! Get the poison!” and out from the picnic basket would come a big can of bug spray. My father would douse everything in sight: not only were the bugs subjected to a fine mist of toxic chemicals, so were we–and so was the food we proceeded to eat. It’s a wonder we’re all as healthy as we are–and goodness knows what that stuff did to the environment.

Yes, biting, buzzing bugs can sure ruin a family picnic, or a romantic star-gazing on the deck, or a stroll around the block at dusk. But rather than exposing ourselves and the neighborhood to potentially toxic chemicals, we can use safe, natural methods that are still blessedly effective. Here are some of our favorite tips for keeping those outdoor bugs away:

If you will be staying in one place, try these methods to deter insects from joining the party:

Burn a smudge stick.
Light a stick of incense scented with essential oil of lemon balm, thyme, eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender.
Burn candles scented with those essential oils.
Mist the area with one of the formulas below.

If you will be walking:

Click here to find out How to Custom-Make Your Own Insect Repellent.

And to repel and control mosquitoes, see these Hints and Tips.

Read more: Nature, Natural Pest Control

By Cait Johnson, Assistant Producer of Care2 Healthy Living.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Suzanne L.

12:59PM PDT on Apr 15, 2012

Citronella is great.

send a green star

Angela N.

12:54PM PDT on Apr 15, 2012

thanks :)

Lydia P.

5:43AM PDT on Apr 15, 2012

We use citronella candles all summer long. They work great at keeping most bugs away (except lightening bugs in the evening). We put a metal screen over it to protect harmless species from the flame.

Nimue P.

2:49AM PDT on Apr 15, 2012

Citronella candles work too.

Tim C.

10:52AM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

Michele W.

8:48AM PST on Nov 9, 2011

Thank you

Lynda J.

12:20PM PDT on Sep 29, 2011

I've got a better way! Get a couple of Muscovy or Indian Runner ducks! they eat snails, caterpillars, beetles, ants - and love to munch on mosquitoes and other flying bloodsuckers after twilight.

They get tame and 'talk' to people, eat almost anything, and are prolific layers - which means duck eggs are available on the menu too!

Chris R.

2:49PM PDT on Aug 10, 2011

Thanks Cait!~

Robert O.

9:49AM PDT on Aug 10, 2011

Thanks Cait. We have tons of them where I am.

Jennifer C.

12:37AM PDT on Aug 9, 2011

Thanks for the great info.