Fireworks, picnics, late sunsets, sundresses, & an ice cold drink in hand…it’s time to celebrate summer! But with the BBQs, backyard weddings, camping trips and date nights under the stars comes a little pesky problem … bugs! In the midst of your summer outdoor celebrations, Mother Nature’s critters can wreak havoc on your skin & kill the mood for your entire event!
Bug sprays, tiki torches, and citronella can get expensive and smelly! Inspired by Pinterest, you can “Bug Off!” your summer in some pretty nifty & thrifty ways:
Hosting a cookout on your deck? Setting up picnic tables for your family reunion? Keep flies from landing on your food by scrubbing down tables & chairs with Lemon-Scented Pine-Sol before an event…flies hate it! Don’t like the strong smell? Place dryer sheets under table runners & centerpieces….something about them will keep flies away while giving a fresh scent to your event!
Use marigolds, lavender, or one of these mosquito-repelling herbs in your centerpieces or as patio plants!
Need to bug-proof your lawn? Place amber-colored Listerine mouthwash in a spray bottle and spray the perimeter of your event space- it won’t harm the environment and should help minimize the bug population for 24-48 hours!
Don’t want bug bites and don’t want to smell like bug spray? Any Vanilla scented fragrance, when regularly applied to your skin, can keep mosquitos and gnats away. Double up the protection by mixing up your own mosquito super-repellant spray by dropping real vanilla extract (don’t use the imitation vanilla that contain high fructose syrup or it will attract bugs!), lavender essential oil, and a bit of lemon juice into a travel size body mist bottle. Add water, shake, spritz, and toss into your handbag to take along!
According to multiple pinners on Pinterest, Johnson & Johnson creamy baby oil is an excellent bug repellant! The aloe vera & vitamin e in the lotion repels mosquitos from landing on your skin- who knew? This works perfectly for kids & sensitive skin!
Stargazing plans? Lying in the grass, even with a blanket, can easily lead to chigger bites and bugs crawling all over you! To prevent this, create your own temporary outdoor lounge area by filling a kiddie pool with pillows & blankets. If you want to get fancy, you could stake up or hang a mosquito net and some battery powered Christmas lights to create a more romantic mood!