Don’t Let the Bugs Bite

If insects are bugging you, tell them to buzz off — naturally. DEET (chemical name, N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the active ingredient in many insect repellent products. Although it's an effective means of repelling insects, it can be toxic and comes with a laundry list of cautions.

Fortunately, there are plenty of natural and effective potions on the market today that repel ticks, mosquitoes, and other bothersome bugs. Kiss My Face, known for its Earth friendly ingredients, offers Swy Flotter, a repellant with skin-protective natural botanicals that is DEET-free and safe for even the youngest members of your family. It's cruelty-free and contains no animal ingredients, artificial colors, or unnecessary chemicals. Since the need for protection against bugs and the summer sun often go hand in hand, the company makes Sun Swat, an SPF 15 repellent spray that solves both problems. www.kissmyface.com

One of the advantages of natural insect repellents is that they're designed to repel insects, not anyone unlucky enough to be sitting next to you at a picnic or fireworks display. Badger’s Anti-Bug Balm is made with citronella, cedar, lemongrass, rosemary, geranium, castor bean, and extra virgin olive oils. Combined with natural beeswax, this balm keeps you covered and smelling sweet. www.badgerbalm.com

Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent, a 100 percent natural remedy, gets its power from eucalyptus oil, the best-known insect repellant. But it also contains lemongrass, another substance that keeps bugs at bay. DEET-free, it’s safe enough to apply with confidence to children and pets. www.burtsbees.com

The Don’t Bite Me patch lets you forget—for up to 36 hours—that you're battling nature's vampires. Simply apply one patch to a dry, hairless area of your body two hours before you expect to encounter bugs. Bugs are drawn to us because of the Co2 our bodies excrete. The patch works by allowing the body to absorb and excrete vitamin B1, which masks the bug-attracting Co2. The patch is waterproof and will remain on in the shower, bath, and swimming pool. www.dontbitemepatch.com

You can make your own insect repellent sprays by combining rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, vodka, or olive oil with any of the following essential oils: Lemongrass, eucalyptus, castor oil, peppermint, tea tree oil, lavender, citronella, or cedar. Use approximately a 10-to-1 alcohol-to-oil ratio. Mix and shake well before each use. Be sure to test any oils on a small patch of skin before applying widely to your body to avoid allergic reactions or skin irritations.