Alison Odey

Insect repellents are another area that you continue to see some pretty nasty chemical concoctions being used, when in reality it is pretty easy to make an effective blend yourself or buy one of the many on the market that are based on natural essential oils.

I have always used a simple blend of Sweet Almond oil and Cider vinegar (a 50:50
solution) with citronella or lemongrass essential oils added.

Lavender oil can be added to this if your friends complain too much at the smell, but
hey, the insects don’t like it either and the almond oil is beautifully nourishing on the skin.

There are other essential oils that the bugs don’t like if you have a real aversion to Citronella, try Geranium.
Neem oil is also used traditionally in some countries to help deter insects.

The cider vinegar makes the solution spray alot better and also helps reduce any
itchiness.

Don’t use an excessive amount as you want it to absorb into the skin, not sit on top and become sticky.

If you already have an allergy to insect bites then a quercetin product will reduce the histamine effect and help you become far more comfortable and less susceptible to allergies in general.

While taking B complex will certainly help deter insects, it appears to be the thiamine (vitamin B1) content that has this effect. Increasing thiamine to 50-100 mg daily may make this more effective.

Other things that can help make you less attractive to insects are eating more garlic and onions.

Also avoiding the use of perfumes, hairsprays and perfumed suntan lotions.

Make sure that you don’t consume sweet foods or drinks, as this will make your skin smell sweet (to a bee!) and avoid the use of alcohol as this can add to the problem by making your skin flush.

You could also try drinking tonic water as the quinine content is known to help keep mosquitoes at bay. Make sure it is the preservative free version.

Up-dated Jan 2017