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.

6 Signs of a Skeeter-Borne Disease

While mosquitoes do most of their dirty work in tropical countries, they can spread a number of serious diseases in the United States, the most infamous being West Nile virus and several forms of encephalitis.

But—and this should get your attention, folks—more kinds of skeeters are heading our way and bringing their sinister baggage with them. A recent case in point: two Caribbean species that transmit the crippling chikungunya virus, which was first diagnosed here in 2014.

Despite wide differences in both severity and damage, all mosquito-borne diseases share similar early warning signs. So if you’re bitten by a skeeter and experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor ASAP:

• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Low blood pressure
• Malaise
• Nausea

Spread or spray one of these DIY formulas on your skin to keep mosquitoes from having their wicked way with you:

1. Straight rubbing alcohol
2. A (gentler) half-and-half mix of rubbing alcohol and Avon Skin-So-Soft^™ bath oil
3. A half-and-half mix of water and pure, clear vanilla (available online and at health-food stores—not to be confused vanilla extract)
4. Mentholated rub (This also a terrific tick repellent.)