Natural repellant for stingy bugs?

[amydidit]

I'm mildly allergic to bees and things like it... not bad enough to need an epi pen, but bad enough to want to never be stung again by anything. I don't want to find out if my DD's are allergic either.

So, what is a good natural repellant to use to keep things like bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets away? I've heard of some repellants for mosquittos, but will those work for stingys too?

[Spastica]

Citronella oils are the basics to keep nasty bugs away. You can buy this oil anywhere this time of year. You can also spray all the edging and corners of your house (indoors) with full-strength white vinegar to keep ants and other bugs from entering through cracks in the house.

There are also oils you can wear that bugs can't stand. Bugs hate lavender oil. Lavender smells a lot better on people than Citronella.

You can mimic or purchase this spray: http://www.islandmistnaturalproducts...id/756877.html

Here's another helpful link:
http://www.naturodoc.com/library/lif..._repellent.htm

This link doesn't look complete, but there are some other essential oils mentioned that look good: http://www.madmikesbrew.com/essentialOils.htm

If you're bitten, tea tree oil, lavender oil, baking soda, or vinegar helps ease the sting. Squirt or dab some white vinegar on a sting so it doesn't hurt, and then you can pack a paste of baking soda and water on the bugbite to reduce the swelling, and even help get the stinger out. Calamine lotion also helps with the itch.

[ChristiansMomma]

We use Burts Bees insect repellent and love it! It was rated, I think 3rd in my DHs Men's Health Mag!

[afishwithabike]

Hey I was also going to send you to naturodoc. The info there is GREAT!

[Spastica]

Huh, I'm gonna have to try one of these ready-made sprays this summer. Would it work on dogs too?

My dogs already have flea medicine on, but you know -- they still get small ant or bug bites on their relatively hairless bellies

[afishwithabike]

Yes you can use the same exact mix on dogs.