Bug off

Is your brain stuck in flight or flight? Do you feel like you have tried everything but still can’t control your anxiety or depression?

People are usually prone to mosquito bites due to a combination of scent, light, heat, and humidity. Some species of mosquitoes are attracted to bacteria and sweat.

Whichever species you encounter, you can protect yourself in Texas summers without having to use a DEET-based chemical repellent.

DEET products have the potential to cause health and environmental problems.

If you’re doing things like taking a hike, hanging out in your backyard, or taking a camping trip, natural repellents might be a better option. This can be especially true for children, who are more sensitive.

DEET stands for a chemical named N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide. It’s the active ingredient in various repellents, such as liquids, lotions, and sprays, that you’ll find on store shelves.

Products containing DEET are used to repel mosquitoes and other biting pests, like ticks, by preventing the bugs from being able to sense human scent.

DEET has been sold commercially since 1957 but was used by the United States Army as early as 1946. Currently, over 120 products that contain this ingredient are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA shares that DEET does not pose risks to health when used properly. In rare cases, though, there are some issues you may encounter when using it, including:

• irritation, pain, or watery eyes if applied to eyes
• irritation, swelling, or redness/rash if left on the skin for long periods of time
• vomiting, nausea, or other stomach issues if consumed
• seizures, in very rare cases

Beyond wearing repellent, reapplying it when necessary, and choosing the right clothing, there are other things you can do to lower your risk of getting bitten by mosquitoes:

• Hang out in screened areas versus open air. If screens have any holes or tears, repair them to eliminate leaks.
• Switch on the air conditioning instead of opening windows to stay cool, if it’s an option.
• Clean up any standing water in and around your home. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so empty, scrub, or toss things like buckets, baby pools, pots, garbage cans, and bird baths.

Here are a list of essential oil‘s that have been known to act as safe and natural mosquito repellent. You can create a DIY spray to keep the bugs away.

Visit Heritage Haven for more information on safe essential oil based products and helpful tips to prevent and treat mosquito bites.