Lavender oil and garlic tablets to keep bugs away?

Question

I'm going on my first ever camping trip, but I'm very prone to bug bites. I want something natural (I'm a little wary of that DEET stuff). So how effective are these two? Or any other suggestions? Preferably something I could obtain rather quickly, like at the grocery store or something.

Thanks!

Answer 1

If you have a health food store, Whole Foods, or Earth Fare nearby you can get a natural bug spray with safer ingredients.  I know there are at least a dozen natural brands out there.  I haven't tried this yet, but I'm planning on getting it for my kids.

http://californiababy.com/natural-bug-bl...

Answer 2

Hey I found a few website with recipes for making natural bug repellents.

http://www.naturodoc.com/library/lifesty...

(scroll to the bottom)

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingsw...

(this one gives tips to avoiding insect bites)

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980625b...

(BEST ONE- most recipes for natural bug repellents)

Hope they work!

Answer 3

There's a bug spray that I like called Naturpel. It's decent and it smells like citronella, but you're going to get bitten if you don't have the deet.

Answer 4

Nothing and I mean nothing works as well as deet, but with that said, the last camping trip I went on a few weeks ago, I put fabric softener sheets in my pockets and rubbed them on me too. I did get a few bites, but not too bad. Garlic just keeps people away(no, only kidding, I know what you are talking about). Skin so soft by Avon works well too, but still not as good as deet. I hate mosquito's, but they LOVE me.