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Bug bites can be a serious issue during the summer months, especially if you live anywhere near water. It can become more than a minor inconvenience when one small bite grows into a larger problem like Lyme Disease or West Nile. These tiny critters can pack a real punch to our bodies and I want you to be protected with natural bug spray!

The risk to using a bug repellent that isn’t natural is a much bigger issue than a toxin free detergent that doesn’t bleach your clothes. The latter might leave your clothes less white, but the former could pose a serious risk to your life.

When I moved to Virginia, I really wanted to make my own toxin free insect repellent, but the environmental toxins attorney in me had to do a two-week deep dive on all of the research that is out there on bug sprays, insect repellent, and DEET.

Let’s set you up for a safe and joyful summer with this weeks episode. I’m going to be breaking down the ingredients in bug repellents, what has been shown to work, and what hasn’t.

Now, this weeks episode is a bit more nuanced than “this is bad so don’t use it.” I’ll walk you through exactly what circumstances may call for using the more toxic option AND how to use them properly. But for the everyday walk or backyard barbecue, I’ve got you covered.

By the end of this episode, I want you to feel empowered to go outside and enjoy yourself with out stressing about pesky bug!

In this episode, we talk about:

• The risks of bug bites that go beyond a pesky itch and into real disease
• What is DEET? and why I would still personally use DEET in specific circumstances
• How well does oil of lemon eucalyptus work?
• What about essential oils?
• How to use essential oils correctly to create an effective bug repellent

What’s the Deal With DEET?

DEET is approved by the EPA as an insect repellant but most researchers don’t really understand why it works to repel bugs. A lot of studies show it works for up to 300 minutes.

But there are some problems with DEET. Because of the high toxicity of DEET and the heavy toxic burden it puts on your body, you can’t reapply it. If you read the instructions, it says to only apply to exposed skin, never under your clothing and don’t reapply it.

And that’s because DEET has been connected to loads of allergic reactions like hives and swollen eyes. Studies show the ingestion of DEET (which you obviously never intend to do) but also repeated and extensive application can lead to seizures and brain damage.

One study concluded DEET is not safe when applied to children’s skin and should be avoided. A lot of that is because it’s hard to control how much kids apply and where they spray it.

DEET is also highly toxic to pets and aquatic life.

So here’s my opinion about DEET. If I were going into the Amazon rainforest, I’d be wearing DEET. I would find something with a concentration of 25% and would be careful about the amount I’d use.

Because I live in an area with ticks and mosquitos and I know where they are and how to avoid them, I don’t use DEET in my home life.

These are personal decisions I make based on my own risk analysis.

Toxin Free Insect Repellent Ingredients

The EPA also has the oil of lemon eucalyptus approved as a biopesticide. That means it’s a naturally occurring substance considered to be a lower risk than a conventional pest control chemical like DEET. It’s highly effective and the only risk is if you get it in your eyes, just like any essential oil, or skin reactions for sensitive skin.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus is not the same as a eucalyptus essential oil. It’s refined then concentrated so it works differently than an essential oil. You have to specifically look for oil of lemon eucalyptus on ingredient labels to make sure you’re getting the right natural insect repellant.

Another approved compound is Picaridin. People who are highly sensitive to DEET typically aren’t sensitive to this.

My Favorite Natural Bug Spray Brands

Young Living makes the only essential oil blend that utilizes sesame oil as a base and was clinically proven to repel mosquitos, fleas and ticks. It WORKS. This one 6 ounce bottle will last forever, you only need a little bit. They also come in Wipes.

Aunt Fannie’s is made with soybean oil, rather than sesame oil. Also comes in wipes.

More options found on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide

Wendy’s DIY Natural Bug Spray

In a 2 ounce glass spray bottle, add 7 drops each of Citronella, Lavender, Purification, Cedarwood, and Lemongrass. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt (to help the oils mix with the water) and fill with distilled water. Spray on any exposed skin while outside and re-apply every 60 minutes.

(Disclaimer: Essential Oils only work when they are pure. Do not use store bought oils that could contain synthetic oils and fillers for this.)

Opt for Natural Bug Spray

Unless you’re in the middle of the Amazon rainforest or in an area where you aren’t sure how to avoid bugs, natural bug spray is the way to go. I have lots of options in my Toxin Free Shopping Guide that are effective at repelling all sorts of bugs. Give them a try this summer!

Related Episodes:

Episode 2: The Fragrance Dilemma: How an Entire Industry Hijacked Your Hormones

Episode 16: The Truth About Sun Exposure and Sunscreen

Episode 21: How to Heal a Sunburn Without the Toxic Green Slime

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