Scratch, scratch...repel those bugs safely!

With all this rain, it's bound to bring out mosquitoes and other annoying flying things, eh? How to safely protect our little ones, or ourselves?

• Avoid dusk - this is when bugs are the most active
• Blow 'em down - if you are going to be sitting outside, consider setting up a fan. The gentle breeze of a basic fan can be sufficient to keep bugs away.
• No frilly smells - avoid floral scented lotions, laundry soap, perfumes, etc... as they can attract mosquitoes (and are usually made from synthetic chemicals anyway!).
• Use repellents thoughtfully - Oil of lemon eucalyptus and the amino acid IR3535 are two naturally derived active ingredients recommended by the Denter for Disease Control as effective insect repellents. Avoid using insect repellent-sunscreen combinations, as reapplication for sufficient sun protection could result in overexposure to the repellent ingredients. Other plant oils which may provide some repellent action include: citronella, cinnamon, castor oil, rosemary, lemongrass, cedar, peppermint, clove, geranium, verbena, pennyroyal, lavender, pine, cajeput, basil, thyme, allspice, soybean and garlic.
  
• Make your own repellent! To make your own repellent, mix 10-25 drops of essential oil (or a combination of oils) with about 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil or alcohol such as olive oil, witch hazel, any cooking oil, or even vodka! Rub or spray your natural insect repellent onto skin or clothing, keeping in mind that some oils may stain clothing.
• Avoid applying DEET directly to skin. If you must use a repellent containing DEET (e.g., in you're exploring areas with high tick populations), dress in lightcolored long clothing and spray the clothing with a repellent containing less than 30% DEET. Products with more DEET do not repel better, but may repel bugs longer (reducing reapplications) than products with lower DEET concentrations. So, if you are only going out for a short hike or something, consider a product with only 5% DEET.

Curious about active ingredients licensed in Minnesota (or other states)? Visit the National Pesticide Retrieval System for state-by-state information. You can search by active ingredient, targeted pest, site of application, product or manufacturer name. It's a little cumbersome...not exceedingly user-friendly, but the database does contain a lot of interesting information.