Hey friends! We want to be able to enjoy all those fun summer outdoor activities without having to worry about those nasty pests and the many diseases they carry! But how do we keep our families safe without exposing them to even more harmful toxins? I'm answering those questions and more in today's episode of Hidden Toxins!

We covered why it's important to protect ourselves from bugs, and what ingredients we want to avoid and look for! But how about the best way to apply bug repellent and other things we can do to protect ourselves and our family?

I found many helpful articles from www.ewg.org, like this one:

What to do before you grab the repellent

Give bugs a smaller target. Cover up with light-colored clothing. In areas with a lot of bugs, wear long-sleeve shirts with high collars and bandanas. When walking in tall grass or brush, tuck pants into socks to keep ticks and chiggers off your body. Use nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas, and place nets over strollers and baby carriers. If your kids are going to camp, send them with mosquito netting for their bunks.

Get rid of mosquito breeding grounds. Drain standing water around your home. If you live in a place with a high tick concentration, make a wood chip barrier between your yard and wooded areas, mow the lawn, clean up brush regularly and follow the CDC’s guidelines for reducing your yard’s tick population.

Know your enemy. If you are in a place that presents few risks for pest-borne diseases and you don’t mind getting a few bug bites, your choice of repellent may not be that critical. On the other hand, if you need to protect yourself from Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Zika or other serious mosquito- and tick-transmitted diseases, your repellent and other preventive actions are serious decisions. It is vital that you research the common pest-borne diseases in your area – or where you are headed – so that you can match your choices to your risks.

Toxic or Ineffective Repellent Options

Product	Why?	Try Instead
Bug zappers	They are ineffective and expensive, may attract more mosquitos to the area and may kill beneficial bugs.	Drain standing water, check window screens and stay indoors when insects swarm. Use repellent as needed on exposed skin.
Yard bug treatments	They don’t provide lasting protection, require more pesticides than skin repellents
Clip-on repellents, Insecticide fans	They pose inhalation hazards, and the ingredients metofluthrin and allethrin are more toxic than skin products.	Ceiling or standing fans can keep mosquitoes from landing on people.
Repellent candles	They pose inhalation hazards, and are less effective than skin or clothing treatments.	Cover up with light-colored clothes. Use repellent as needed on exposed skin.

What is the best way to apply bug repellent?

If it is a spray or aerosol, apply to hands and then apply on exposed skin.
Avoid eyes, nose and mouth
Wash hands with soap and water after applying
Apply every 5-6 hours, depending on what product you use. And apply more often if swimming or excessive sweating!

Here is a favorite homemade recipe I love:

Homemade Bug Spray

½ cup witch hazel.
½ cup apple cider vinegar.
40 drops essential oils (eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, tea tree or rosemary-I use equal drops of each)
5 drops of blue cypress essential oil
one 8 ounce glass spray bottle.

And as promised, here are the 11 foods that can repel bugs!! If you want to read more on each food and why it is helpful, make sure to follow this link HERE!

11 Things You Can Eat to Repel Bugs

ONIONS
BANANAS
TOMATOES
MARMITE & VEGEMITE
LEMONGRASS
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (So many other health benefits of drinking this every day!!!)
CITRUS FRUITS
GARLIC
HOT PEPPERS
BEANS & LEGUMES
ALCOHOL (Say what???)

Make sure you share this with your friends! If you enjoy the videos, give me a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel so you don't miss my weekly episodes!!

Join like minded individuals in our FaceBook community where we share tips and tools for removing and replacing Hidden Toxins!! Just click the logo below!

I sure hope this article gives you some options to truly enjoy your warm summer days annoyance free, disease free and toxin free!!

Abundant Blessings,

Nature’s Ultra

CITRUS CBD OIL

With Nature’s Ultra CBD and a splash of Grapefruit and Orange essential oils from Young Living, our Citrus CBD Oil is energizing and refreshing.

CALM CBD ROLL-ON

Calm CBD Roll-On from Nature's Ultra creates a peaceful environment that will help relax and quiet your mind. Infused with Young Living Essential Oils, Calm is perfect for when you're trying to wind down for the night.

CBD MUSCLE RUB

Soothe your tired muscles with CBD Muscle Rub! It takes the hot-and-cold sensation of menthol and gives it a boost with Nature’s Ultra CBD and an array of Young Living essential oils: Camphor, Clove, Helichrysum, Lemon, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Wintergreen, and more. These ingredients work in perfect harmony to soothe your hard-working body.

Ready to get your calm on? CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED