With these lovely warm days we love to be more outdoors and enjoy our time, but it also brings along unwelcome guests: flies. These annoying pests can disrupt our enjoyment of being outdoors and pose hygiene concerns. So it only make sense we want to avoid these flies and their itchy bites with insect repellents. While conventional insect repellents promise quick solutions, their toxic ingredients can harm both our health and the environment.

In this blog, we'll explore why it's important to avoid these toxic products and we'll give you 5 natural insect repellent tips to keep flies at bay in a sustainable way.

The Problem with Conventional Insect Repellents

Most conventional insect repellents contain synthetic chemicals like DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide), which are effective at keeping insects away from us but come with significant disadvantages. DEET is known to cause skin irritation, neurological issues, and other health problems when absorbed through the skin. Moreover, when these chemicals enter our water systems through rinsing off with water in the shower or sink, they can harm aquatic life and disrupt our ecosystems. The production and disposal of these products and its packaging also contribute to pollution and waste, making it important to find out safer, eco-friendly alternatives to insect repellents.

Here are 5 Natural Insect Repellent Tips:

1. Herbal Plants and Essential Oils: Planting herbs such as basil, lavender, rosemary and mint around your home and in your garden can naturally keep those annoying flies away.  In addition there are beautiful flower plants that are also great such as marigolds and chrysanthemums. These plants emit fragrances that flies find unpleasant. Additionally, essential oils derived from these herbs can be used in diffusers create a fly-free environment. Please check if any herbs are okay for pets before planting. 

   

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Traps: Using apple cider vinegar is an effective and non-toxic way to catch and trap fly. Simply fill a jar with apple cider vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap. The vinegar attracts flies, and the soap reduces the surface tension, causing them to drown. Or make tube paper trap so the can't get out once they are inside. 

   

3. Mosquito Screen: Another great way to keep the flies and mosquito outside is installing a window screen/net. You find them at homeware stores. It's a very practical and effective mosquito net that acts as a barrier to prevent the passage of flying insects (flies, mosquitoes, bees, etc.), while allowing air to circulate freely. They are ideal for home, balcony, caravan and many more! 

   

4. DIY insect repellent spray: make your own easy and natural insect repellent spray. Use any small empty spray bottle, fill with equal parts water and neutral alcohol (or witch hazel) and add 30-60 drops of citronella, lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint and/or lavender essential oils. Shake before use and spray around in your house. If you prefer to use a spray to use on your body here's a sustainable and natural insect repellent spray. Looking something specifically for children and babies? The Squitos Insect Repellent Stickers are 100% natural and safe to use from birth. You can stick the fun animal stickers on the clothes, bed or buggy of your child so that they are not bothered by it and are still protected against mosquitoesf for 72 hours. 

   

5. Remove stagnant water: Flies love still water puddles to lay their eggs. So make sure to remove any stagnant water pools in and around the house and cover the rain barrel: these are notorious mosquito breeding grounds. 

   

Using our 5 natural insect repellent tips not only protects your health and the environment but also promotes a more sustainable lifestyle. So wave bye bye to those annoying flies with our 5 natural insect repellent tips.