5 Simple Tips for Repelling Pests

It’s picnic season, and perfect weather for camping, hiking, or a stroll around the block. But those dratted pests–flies, mosquitoes, wasps, and more–can really ruin the fun.

Here are five great tips from our natural-living expert that will help repel biting and buzzing pests without using toxic products that can harm your health and the environment. Some of these tips are actually great for your health–and they’re so easy!

1. If you’re camping, bring along some coriander seed or lemon balm leaves to throw on the campfire. Both are great pest deterrents.

2. When you launder your outerwear, add a few drops of essential oil of lavender to the rinse water. You’ll think your clothes smell heavenly, but the pests won’t!

3. A tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar, taken once a day, can make your skin unattractive to biting pests. And apple cider vinegar offers general health benefits, too!

4. Garlic doesn’t just repel vampires. Eat lots of it, and the pests should stay away. (And besides, garlic is good for you.)

5. A daily dose of vitamin B1 may keep pests away, too.

Read more: Nature, Natural Pest Control

By Annie B. Bond

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

Carol Ann O.

7:45AM PDT on Mar 29, 2012

The fan clip insect repellent really works if you are stationary (like kids sport games) It is oderless and not applied to your skin. We put it on the ground betwen our lawn chairs and in a minute were pest free ! (Doesn`t work as well if you`re moving around a lot)

send a green star

Lydia P.

7:22AM PDT on Mar 17, 2012

These are great ideas. Pipe tobacco in the campfire repels pests too.

Rosie L.

2:26PM PST on Jan 31, 2012

thank u!!

TERRY R.

8:02AM PDT on Jul 19, 2011

GOOD INFO

Pat V.

1:07AM PDT on Jul 16, 2011

Good info thankyou.

Fred K.

7:15AM PDT on Jul 11, 2011

Using citronella oil in torches, 'natural' pest repellents like Avon skin oil or various preparations that use essential oils, and use of environmentally clean control (tip out standing water or top it with vegetable oil instead of synthetics) can go a long way towards reducing or eliminating harmful side effects to humans. I'd rather down garlic pills and use Avon lotion than slather on DEET bug sprays. I'd rather perforate the bottom of that old tyre serving as a swing than put used motor oil on top of the water in it, and fix the ditch by either tossing in frog eggs or topping it with nontoxic Wesson vegetable oil. There are lots of 'more acceptable' choices, whether it's refilling water bottles and re-using grocery bags, walking or biking your short local trips, or buying predatory insects and animals to cut down on your pest problems.

Abbe A.

3:54AM PDT on Jul 11, 2011

Beats DEET

Penny C.

8:22PM PDT on Apr 30, 2011

Mossies love me,thanks for the advice.

Robert O.

1:04PM PDT on Apr 2, 2011

Thanks.

KS G.

4:43AM PST on Jan 27, 2011

Thanks for the article.