Avoid Pesky Bites and Stings

After waiting months and months to finally enjoy the beautiful outdoors, we have to deal with pesky insects. Bugs can be quite annoying, but more importantly, they can carry some dangerous diseases and share them with us.

Natural Ways to Prevent Bites and Stings

•Use Cinnamon oil as a mosquito repellent. It has been proven to be just as effective as DEET!

•Minimize the amount of cologne or perfume that you wear when spending time outdoors this Summer. The smell attracts bugs, including the ones that will sting you.

•Stay away from standing (still) water- This is the  mosquito’s playground!

•Some studies suggest that if you consume garlic, it will prevent mosquito and tick bites.

•Don’t step into a stream or river unless you have foot protection. This will help prevent leeches from attaching to your foot.

•If you are outdoors at night (camping, anyone?), use an LED light bulb! It doesn’t attract bugs like other lights since it doesn’t emit wavelengths in the UV spectrum, which is what bugs are attracted to.

•If at all possible, avoid the outdoors when bugs are most active, which is at dawn and at dusk. If you find yourself having to be outdoors during this time, protect yourself with long sleeved shirts and pants.

How to Heal Bites and Stings

•Raw honey has many healing properties and can be used as an antibacterial agent. Use raw honey on a bee sting to help the pain.

•Tea Tree oil is an effective antimicrobial and helps with healing infections, burns, and cuts.

• Ice is the perfect anti-inflammatory. It’s also cheap and easy to use!

•Aloe Vera have many healing properties to help treat infected areas of your skin. Aloe Vera is also useful with healing burns.

•Use fluoride free toothpaste on a bee sting. It’s effective!

•Cucumbers reduce swelling. Place a slice of cucumber on the area of skin and it will reduce puffiness and swelling.

Now that you know how to enjoy the great outdoors without worrying too much about getting bit or stung, go out and have some fun!

PS – Any other natural remedies you know about? I’d love to hear about ’em!

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