The summertime is the perfect time to be outdoors. After endless months of clouds and rain, it’s a welcome reprieve from the gloomy weather seen throughout most of the year. But this warm weather also brings in some pesky little biting insects that ruin any sunny day. Many people often turn to the safety of a store-bought insect repellent. Some people, however, may choose a more natural means of repellent. Today, we will explore a few existing DIY insect repellents and see how they stack up against a store bought version.
Herbal Oils
This at-home remedy involves mixing a carrier oil like coconut, olive, or almond with a dried herb such as rosemary, thyme, or sage in a sealed container and letting it steep for a few weeks. You could use it on your skin or throw it in a diffuser to keep pests at bay.
A benefit is that it uses more natural ingredients, which are less likely to contain synthetic materials. A con, however, is that these homemade solutions tend to be less effective than store-bought repellents.
Essential Oil Sprays
Like herbal oil, these sprays are known for being effective against biting insects such as mosquitoes and ants. This makes a thinner solution you can spray onto the skin using witch hazel, lavender, or tea tree oil. You can spray it directly onto your skin right after mixing it! A pro for this solution is that it is very customizable, meaning you can find the most effective solution to repel pests. A con is that their shelf life is shorter than an adequately sealed, store-bought container.
Vinegar Based repellents
You can also mix vinegar with other ingredients to create an insect repellent. This solution is known for its pungent smell that pests and humans don’t enjoy. But combining a little vinegar, water, and an essential oil is yet another homemade solution that could be used to repel insects. A major pro of this repellent is that it is incredibly cost-effective! Making this solution at home is far cheaper than purchasing a store-bought one. A con is that the quality of these ingredients could be better. The range of these varies and differs from what you would get with a store-bought solution.
So Which Is Better?
The truth is that it solely depends on what you prioritize in an insect repellent. If you want to focus on a more wallet-friendly, natural solution that is customizable and in which you are confident, then a DIY repellent is for you! However, you should stick with store bought repellents if you want something more effective and with a longer shelf life!
Call Insight Pest Solutions In Gresham
If you are looking for an even more permanent and effective solution, call Insight Pest Solutions. Our team of experienced technicians wants to make sure your summer is free of any pest problems you may have.
