Natural Ways to Prevent and Treat Bug Bites

for honey bees, chew green grass and clover, seems to only help
with honey bee stings.

In last 20 years spent a lot of time in the outdoors tramping
(hiking) sea-kayaking in New Zealand and other trips abroad in
warmer climates and find all these fancy clothes which may look
poncy for the city-slickers but are generally hopeless when it
comes to insects. The colours are too appealing to them! Especially
the dark colours. Look for lite colours every time and forget the
purple, black, blues. Also get to know what the orginal folks
(natives) used from their back doors. It works and is not only
cheaper & environmentally & user friendly but also far more
gratifying.

While ticks are a common warm season pest where I live in Middle
Tennessee, larval soil mites (chiggers, red bugs) are much worse as
they are essentially invisible, one infestation may envolve up to
50 or more bites, and the reaction for many is a severe itch,
inflamation, and often infection. It appears powdered sulfur is a
time-tested repellent. It has its drawbacks, pungent odor, yellow
stain (which washes out), and its a bit messy to use. Pour a
quarter cup into a section of women's hose and dust around your
shoes, socks, lower legs, and pant legs. I doubt there are any
possible hazzards to its use and it works.

To prevent insect bites and stings ( including ticks and
chiggers ), take a bath or shower with Fels Naptha Soap. It also
helps relieve itching and stinging after you go inside. Farmers
have used this for forever!

Another great all natural repellant and treatment for bug bites
and bee stings is emu oil. Really relieves the itch and speeds the
healing of bug bites and stings.

For mosquito bites, nettles, and most other bug bites, I put a
dot of tea tree oil or Dr. Burt's Rescue on them to relieve itching
and inflammation

I use Witch Hazel for itchy bug bites and anything else that
makes me itch. I am very sensitive to bug bites and have numerous
allergies, but have an obsession with the outdoors! Alcohol in
products dry my skin, only to irritate it worse. I may apply a
little essential oil or lotion prior to going outdoors and I still
always have a reaction to something. But, I take some cotton and
soak it in Witch Hazel, rub it all over my body and in about 20-30
minutes. The itching, stinging, and swelling feel better. I also
use it on my face as an astringent and toner, works great and
doesn't dry my skin!

For bug and even poision oak itching, I use hot water. Carefully
wet the tip of paper towel or wash cloth with very hot water (as
hot as you can stand it). Apply dirctly to the itchy area for 10
seconds or so or as long as you can. You'll only need to contact
the itchy spot. Works instantly and for hours.

I am noting all of these tips, but mosquitos /bees are my least
concern. IIt's ticks we New Englanders need addressed! Within ten
days of working on my new property, I developed Lyme-- this with my
trousers tucked into my socks and DEET sprayed on my boots.Any
sure-fire tick repellants?

vinagar can help reduce itching from cat and dog flea bites,
vinagar placed in cat and dog drinking water can help to reduce
fleas on the animal, very small amounts of vinagar introduced over
time until a teaspoonfull in a drinking bowls worth .

We've found the "fake" wasp nests do really work!One on front
and back of house has a wasp nest free and many less yellow jackets
to boot!!We have two bat houses and several bird feeders. Sort of a
free room and board program, in turn for seeds they lower the bug
count! Helps!Also - watch what fragrant soaps and shampoos you use.
Smelling like a flower is sure to attract flying
critters.

I make my own lotion and add peppermint oil for repelling
insects in summer. It's also a very nice smelling lotion. The
peppermint oil itself applied directly to insect bites provides
temporary relief of burning and itching.

WARNING: Fragranced cosmetics of any kind contain chemicals that
cause insects to react. Floral fragrances may attract them as a
flower would, but chemical fragrances, Most Especially with
pheromones in them, cause insects to attack, big time. This is
serious.

A good tick repellent: While employed as a biologist with the
state wildlife agency, we were issued Permanone and Permethrin.
These compounds should be sprayed on field pants and jackets and on
field boots before putting them on. In from the field, take the
field stuff off and place in a large enough sealable plastic bag.
The clothes and shoes can be used over and over again. Not exactly
a natural repellent, when it comes to Lyme, Rocky Mountain, and
tick fever, you must protect yourself. A natural remedy for insect
bites I've heard about is crushed leaves and stems of spotted
jewelweed (touch-me-not). Its easy to grow, reseeds itself anually
and attracts humingbirds too.

vitamin C works great. I mix about 4 grams (one teaspoon) of
vitamin C in 2 oz, of water in a small spray bottle. I spray it on
any bites or stings and it's very effective at relieving the itch
or pain and hastening the healing. I also use it for minor cuts and
scrapes. It relieves pain, prevents infection and helps
healing.

I've found that white vinegar neutralizes the itch/pain of
mosquito bites. Not an original idea, heard it on NPR. It helps me.
I carry little bottles of white vinegar in hotel shampoo cases
whenever I know I'm going to be outside.Also, St. Gabriel's
Laboratories Mosquito Spray (garlic, citronella, molasses??)
sprayed from a hose onto your yard, porch, bushes, walkway - does
actually seem to work!