Bugs are part of the outdoor experience, but that doesn’t mean you have to be their constant prey. Regular bug sprays are often pungent, sticky, expensive and filled with suspect ingredients. There are many natural ways to get bugs to back off, and all of them involve a visit to your pantry. That’s right, common household foods can compel bugs to fly in the opposite direction. |
Onions As soon as you notice a bite, slice a raw onion and press over the bitten area, releasing the juices. This reduces the itch and pulls the fluids out. Rubbing onion over your skin also repels the bugs to start with. This trick works best with fresh slices. Rub a new raw slice on a bite several times a day to make it disappear completely. This works well for wasps, bees, ants and spiders too Milk Dairy can sooth burns, which is especially useful if you have overexposed your skin to the sun without protection. Milk also soothes the itch bug bites cause. Stop yourself from going crazy by applying a little milk paste. All you need to do is mix one part powdered milk with two parts water and a pinch or two of salt. Dab this mixture onto the burn or bite. The enzymes present in the milk help neutralize the insect venom and also provide relief to the pain caused by sunburn. Similarly applying fuller fat yoghurts can also offer some relief. Salt Salt is a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory and can provide great relief to mosquito or chigger bites. Soaking the affected area in salt water offers much relief. Apply a layer of lard or vegetable oil after. You will feel a burning sensation initially but after this the sting subsides. If you live on the coast, taking a swim in the sea helps too as the seawater has a natural salt presence. Plus swimming has vast health benefits. Garlic Not only does this fragrant bulb inject your food with flavor, but it can scare away the bugs. This solution requires a bit of forethought and is a great way to repel bugs in the wild, perfect for camping trips and a hiking trip. Begin by ingesting garlic cloves for several days. You will sweat out the garlic, releasing a garlic odor that will make sure the insects stay away. Keeping some gum or mouthwash on hand helps keep your breath garlic free. Orange and Lemon Peels Some people might be put off by the idea of rubbing onions over their skin. For a more pleasant odor but equally effective bug repellant, you can also try using orange or lemon peels. While this scent is aromatic to people, mosquitos and gnats are completely repulsed by the scent and will leave you alone for the evening. Vegetable Oil Any still body of water can be a mosquito breeding grounds. This doesn’t mean you have to empty your garden’s bird bath. Adding a few drops of vegetable oil to the water surface keeps the mosquitos from turning your bath into a mosquito baby factory. Just in case I recommend changing the water twice a week to prevent any larvae from having time to hatch.
|
Apple Cider Vinegar There’s an old army trick whereby consuming one tablespoon three times a day keep ticks and mosquitos at bay. Not so mad about the taste? You can also just apply the vinegar directly to any bites with a cotton ball swab. The acidity removes the urge to scratch, restoring the skin to a natural pH balance. Regular white vinegar also helps but the apple cider variety is less acidic. Vanilla Another pleasant smell that bugs really can’t stand is vanilla. This sweet-smelling flower repels mosquitos, blackflies, and ticks. Apply a mixture of one tablespoon vanilla extract diluted with one cup of water directly over your skin and enjoy a bite-free time. |
h/t: www.rd.com
Got Dark Knees and Elbows? 8 Remedies That'll Help
Put an end to dark knees and elbows with these 8 natural remedies.
I’ve Found a Natural Remedy for Those Red Bumps on the Skin
A natural remedy to erasing those red bumps that appear on your arms without visiting the dermatologist. You only need to ingredients, which are easily found at the grocery store.
Can't Seem to Find a Good Pillow? This May Be Your One
You may be on the verge of settling for a pillow that is less than optimal for you, but we can suggest an alternative - buckwheat pillows.
Suffer from Dust Allergies? Try 8 Natural Treatments!
Do you suffer from dust allergies at home? If so, here are 8 natural remedies that you should definitely try!
Keep Your Uric Acid Levels Under Control with These 8 Tips
Having too much uric acid in your blood can lead to a whole range of uncomfortable symptoms. Here are 8 natural remedies to help decrease uric acid levels.
9 Ways to Keep Your House Clean Using Just a Simple Lime
Limes are just as good as lemons when it comes to cleaning. Here are 9 great ways to clean with them.
This Christmas, Make Some DIY Gifts for Our Loved Ones!
Make your loved ones feel extra special with these DIY Christmas gifts.
12 Things Your Dog Can Do...
Here are 12 surprising things that your furry companion knows about you better than anyone else, maybe even more than you do.
Discover: Who Are the Most Successful Inventors in History?
If you love inventions and history, you'll find this post fascinating!
All 11 of These Ordinary Items Have Clever Hidden Features
Not only is it fun to find out the purpose of these secret features, but it’s also quite useful to know them!
Get Rid of Mosquitos in 5 Minutes with This DIY Recipe!
Let us help you significantly reduce the number of mosquitos in your home and garden with a simple 4-ingredient recipe of a mosquito trap
20 Common Misconceptions That Took Me by Surprise!
We hear and are taught so many things, yet sometimes, wrong concepts get mixed with right ones and we end up with false misconceptions...
These 7 Cheat Sheets Will Make You a Master in the Kitchen
When it comes to our culinary skills, there's always more to learn, and this is evidenced by the 7 kitchen cheat sheets you're about to see.
How to Remove Ugly Water Stains from Wooden Furniture
Water stains can destroy the look of your wooden furniture and floors. Here's how you can remove them.
With Age Comes Wisdom! Great Advice From People Over 50
Why get advice from a book when you can get great advice from a person over 50?
Can't Fall Back Asleep? Try These 8 Genius Tricks
Do you wake up in the middle of the night? Thankfully, there are some natural remedies you can try, that will get you back to falling asleep quickly, making any unwelcome moments of wakefulness seem like nothing more than a fleeting dream.
7 Unique Bathroom Cleaning Tips You Really Need to Know!
We bet you didn't know that you can use black tea, vinegar & even your vacuum cleaner to make your bathroom cleaner than ever before!
Waste No More: 6 Great Ways to Use Fruit & Veggie Peels
If you want to save both money and reduce your waste, remember these 6 practical and delicious ideas for what you can do to utilize your fruit and vegetable leftovers to the max.
Professional Chefs Swear by These Clever Cooking Hacks
We can all probably agree that one cannot possibly know too many cooking hacks, as these clever little hints always help us save precious time!
Do You Know All 22 Unique Ways to Use Baking Soda?
Baking soda is amazing - Baking soda can help clean grease off floors, freshen your breath, and even relieve insect bites!
Here's How You Can Tell If Someone Is Lying to You
No one likes a liar, but thankfully, if you know how to read body language, you can tell if someone is lying to you.
9 Ingredients It's Best to Avoid When Grocery Shopping
Stay healthy by making sure that these 9 ingredients are not part of the food you buy.
15 Surprising Uses of Potatoes Outside the Cooking Pot
Potatoes are a great staple of many food dishes around the world, but they also have many uses outside of the kitchen. These will surprise you!
13 Household Items You Never Knew Had an Expiry Date
Take note. These common household products do go bad.
The 7 Best and 7 Worst Foods to Buy Canned
Not all canned foods are made equal, and in this article, we'll discuss those you should invest in, as well as those to definitely avoid.
Body Wash vs. Bar Soap: Which One Should You Choose?
Body wash or shower gel? Which one do you prefer? If you’re uncertain, we’ll help you find out when to use each one.
7 Fantastic Ways to Use Tea Bags in Your Garden
Before you dump your tea bags you should be aware that they can come in handy in the garden. Here are 7 great ways you can use tea bags in your garden.
DIY: Hidden Compartments and Secret Safes for Your Home
Here's a fun and brilliant video on how to make your own secret safes to hide your valuables, using only items found at home.
Guide: How to Effectively Deal with a Dog Attack
These 15 tips will help protect you before, during and after a dog attack.
You MUST Pay Attention to These Numbers When Buying Fruit
The numbers you see on fruit have much more significance than you think. You can learn everything you need to know about the fruit you're buying from them.
Catch an Attacker Off-Guard with These Self Defense Moves
Learn a few simple moves and catch your attacker off guard with this simple guide.
How to Make an Effective Cough Remedy Using an Orange!
Oranges are a great source of vitamin C that helps strengthen the immune system, but did you know there is a way to make it an effective cough medicine?
Scratched Furniture or Shoes? It's Pretty Simple to Fix...
Here's how to get scratches out of any surface in your home.
This Town Was Built Especially for People with Dementia
This small Dutch village is designed for and entirely populated by residents with dementia and Alzheimers.
10 Great Survival Tips That We All Need to Know!
If you find yourself in a life or death situation it's important you know what to do. These 10 tips could save your life!
This Guide Will Have You Doing Origami Within a Minute!
Always wanted to try folding paper sculptures? Well now with this easy guide you'll be folding them like a pro.
These Are the 8 Healthiest Plants To Have In Your Home
Houseplants have health benefits, from cleaning the air around you to boosting your mood. Learn which ones are the healthiest to have around.
Know the Signs: The Complete Guide to Body Language!
You can learn a lot about a person’s intent by reading his body language, so find out just what that wink meant with this helpful guide.
How to Revive Your Plants to Shiny Green Again
To help you out, we've put together a comprehensive guide that covers eight signs of plant sickness and provides solutions to restore their health and beauty.
How to Increase Water Pressure in Your Shower: 9 Tips
Is the water pressure really slow in your shower? Here’s what you should do to improve it.
Lost a Key and Need to Pick a Lock? Do This!
Need to pick a lock? Here's how to do it.
5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being Stressed
Can stress have a positive effect on your body and mind? Discover the health benefits of stress here.
12 Home Maintenance Mistakes I Wished I Knew Earlier
Care to find out if you’ve fallen prey to some of these home maintenance myths?
STOP! Before You Throw Your Egg Shells, Read This...
Egg shells have a plethora of useful properties.
Tip: It Is Possible to Peel an Orange in a Few Seconds
Peel oranges in just a few seconds and in the most effective method possible.
One of These Facts May Save Your Life One Day
10 simple facts that we should all know, because they may save us some day.
Say Goodbye to Shrunken Clothes with This Neat Laundry Trick
Recently I accidentally shrunk my favorite pair of pants. I was preparing to bid them farewell until my friend suggested a laundry trick that would revert them back to their former length. I didn’t even know this was possible. See how it's done!