Natural Insect Repellents

Summer brings on long days, mellow nights and.... pesky mosquitoes. Itchy and reddened skin can dampen anyone's good mood. With effective, natural-based products annoying insects can be kept at bay. 

More often than not, insect bites go unnoticed until the maddening itchiness and swelling beginning and all we are left with are huge bumps that, let's be honest, are not a pretty sight. 

Insects use a cleverly devised system to reach their victims. Scent, warmth and skin moisture play a vital part, and we know that insects are attracted to certain factors. Our genes, metabolism and body's temperature alongside odour-causing bacteria. Therefore, some people are more susceptible to insect bites than others, due to their above-average body temperature and/or higher concentration of ammonia and lactic acid found in sweat. 

Bites or stings from regional insects, so to speak, are comparably less harmful and may only lead to minor irritation, swelling and redness. Due to climate change, different kinds of insects invade foreign lands. This can lead to illness or even the transmission of parasites. 

The best form of protection against insects come in form of repellents. These substances destroy the insect's olfactory system which drives them away or results in the host's scent going unnoticed. 

Chemical repellents may be more effective and last longer, however, these are produced using chemical substances that are absorbed by the skin, leading to irritations, allergic reactions or even epileptic seizures. Taking the natural route is the better choice. 

We recommend using eucalyptus, clove, lavender and tea tree essential oils as a natural, purely botanical repellent alternative. However, do not apply these essential oils undiluted, as it may lead to irritation. Not all the aforementioned essential oils have the same effect on every skin type. Try each one to see which is the most effective for you. 

Alternatively, you can create your own natural insect repellent by mixing 100 ml of jojoba oil with 15 drops of your favourite essential oil. Do a patch test on your inner arm before spraying on other areas of the skin. 

At Ecco Verde we have a large assortment of natural and organic insect repellents to choose from. These repellents will keep insects at bay and/or heal any bites that may have already occurred.