Yes! My favorite season is finally here with all its joys!
I’ve always loved summer most of all, but the season is not without its downsides, a big one being the pesky bugs it brings. And yes, I know that many bugs are beneficial and necessary, but that doesn’t mean they need to hang around my garden—or me. Plus, some bugs are downright dangerous, such as ticks that can carry Lyme disease and mosquitoes that can carry all sorts of nasty viruses like Zika and West Nile.
However, I’m also all about avoiding the nastiness of chemical bug sprays and pesticides. There are so many things wrong and unhealthy about them. To keep mosquitoes at bay without them, remove any standing water, grow mosquito-repelling plants, and create a habitat for bats. Also, be sure after you spend any time outside—especially in the woods or in thick grass—to check for ticks.
You can keep unwanted insects away with my five earth-friendly bug-repelling favorites, too:
- Bug Repellent Spray—Organic Essential Oils
This bug spray uses deterrent organic essential oils to keep away mosquitoes, flies, and ticks. Organic lemon eucalyptus essential oil is a natural DEET alternative, while organic rose geranium and peppermint essential oils repel ticks. - Glass Wasp Trap
Made of clear glass, this trap is an easy way to take care of problem wasps. Just put a small amount of sweet liquid inside it and place it near areas the stinging insects frequent. The wasps will fly in from the bottom and won’t be able to fly back out. - Organic Tick & Bug Repellent
This essential oil blend naturally keeps the bugs away, especially disease-carrying ticks. The recipe combines known repellents from across the globe, including neem oil and wormwood. - Conservation Bat House
Did you know that a single small brown bat can eat 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour? This conservation bat house can help bring these helpful creatures to your yard. Bats are very sensitive to smell and would be deterred by any treatments applied, so each house is handmade from untreated, high-quality Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) timber, which gives it longevity and provides insulation. The decorative finish on the front uses water-based paint only. Designed for multiple species, the chambers may be accessed for inspection by licensed bat workers via the hinged roof, which is secured by a brass catch and a removable screw. - Mini Bug Biome
Not all bugs are pests. Beneficial insects perform important jobs in your garden, including pollination and predator control. This biome serves as a complete habitat for “good” insects, providing suitable refuge, nesting sites, and over-wintering spaces for bees (helpful pollinators), ladybugs, lacewings (both of which eat pesky aphids), and more.
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