Bugs Bugging You? Shoo ‘Em Away, Naturally

With all the mosquitoes, flies, and other biting and stinging insects buggin’ folks in their backyards, it’s time to take action. But rather than resorting to toxic chemicals, here's how to say “back off, bugs!” the natural way:

Wear light colors. Biting insects are more attracted to certain bright colors and floral patterns. So, wearing lighter shades, like khaki, yellow, or white, will draw less attention from buzzing and bothersome bugs and go a long way toward keeping you bite-free.

Apply oils. Forget the chemical insect repellents. A dab of geranium or lavender essential oil works just as well, and you’ll smell great, too!

Spray vinegar. If wasps are ruining your barbecue, fill a hand-held spray bottle with white vinegar, adding a squirt or two of dishwashing liquid. Then shake it up, and let ‘er rip—those bad-news bugs will drop in their tracks!

Drain your yard of any standing water to keep it from becoming a mosquito breeding ground. Then, to really send mosquitoes packing, overspray your yard 3 times a week in the evening with this DIY recipe:

• Buzz Buster Lemonade: Mix 1 cup of lemon-scented ammonia and 1 cup of lemon-scented dishwashing liquid in a 20 gallon hose-end sprayer, filling the balance of the sprayer jar with warm water.