Save the Good Bugs

Pesticides kill the good bugs and bacteria too. Modeled after chemical weapons, many chemical pesticides cause suffering in all living things. Fortunately there are safe all natural alternatives to synthetic pesticides made of organic plant oils. Better yet you can make you own super cheap super safe bug repellent at home using basic over the counter things like mint and isopropyl alcohol.....


Killing our friends: Bee's :( 

The bee collapse is a cost of pesticide use for example. Bee's, like many other helpful pollinator insects, provide humans with billions of dollars worth of added agricultural value. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollinator

Bee's are responsible for producing a lot of natural resources like honey and their highly valued wax (see burts bee's for more examples). When our Bee friends fly around hunting for nectar they unfortunately encounter crops sprayed with pesticides. The bee's are unable to detect these synthetic pesticides: the pesticides accumulate in the bee's causing sickness and premature death that is effectively responsible for the bee' collapse problem. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_collapse_disorder

Toxic for Humans Too

Human consumption of and exposure to pesticides is linked to a wide range of diseases (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, diabetes, asthma, dermatitis, skin cancer, eye problems, birth defects, and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_pesticides

Some pesticides can remain in the environment for prolonged periods of time, for example most people in the United States still have detectable levels of (DDT) in their bodies even though it was banned in the US in 1972. 

Helping Pathogens Evolve

The overuse of pesticides is similar to the overuse of antibiotics; speeding up the evolution of chemically resistant pests and pathogens. This problem is exacerbated by the poor target delivery efficiency of pesticide applications. Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their target species, including non-target species, air, water and soil.

Intelligent Farming Uses Ecology to Manage Pests

Wild farming that mimic natural environment encourage natural food cycles to form with birds, bats, frogs, fungi, snakes, spiders and other pest population controlling species. Our mono-crop industrial farms and mono-crop lawns are configured incorrectly for natural pest control. By focusing on maximizing profits, a whole range of costly pest and pathogen problems have emerged for lawn and farm owners alike. Modern agro-chemical companies make a profit by selling the synthetic farm chemicals that are the problem: ironically, many of these companies that make pesticides also control large farms (Monsanto et. al.). 

Keeping things wild will work for your garden too. You want to give birds a reason to come visit, they will hunt down bugs while they are visiting. If you don't spray toxic chemicals like round-up, frogs, lizards, orb weaving spiders and other bug eaters will come visit. You can keep your yard healthy by keeping your yard free of toxic costly synthetic chemicals. A green wild and more natural landscape will save you time and money while also making the air, ground and water around your home safer for you, your children, your pets and the wild pest controlling friend species that will visit your non-toxic yards. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_pest_control

Make Your Own Safe Bug Repellent

If flying insects are bothering you at outdoor event, know that you have a safe way to deter these biters. Different natural oils repel different bugs, so it’s best to use a combination of essential oils to ward off several types of biters.

Natural Insect Repellent

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of one or a combination of the following: witch hazel or grain alcohol

2 tablespoons of one or a combination of the following: grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, olive oil, or neem oil (which contains natural insecticidal compounds)

½ teaspoon grain alcohol as preservative (if not already using)

100-110 drops essential oils

Sample Bug-Repelling Essential Oil Blend:
55 drops lemon eucalyptus (reported by the CDC to be a good natural substitution for DEET in repelling insects, but not recommended for use on children under 3 yrs.)

15 drops cedarwood

15 drops lavender

15 drops rosemary

Directions:

Add carrier liquids to small spray bottle (3 or 4 oz. works well so there is room for shaking). Add essential oils. Shake well before each use. Natural bug repellent will need to be reapplied every few hours for maximum effectiveness.

Other Bug-Repelling Essential Oils:

citronella
eucalyptus
tea tree
peppermint
cypress
rose geranium
bergamot
lemon
Additional Tips and Warnings:

As always with essential oils, women who are pregnant or nursing should consult a health practitioner before using.
Extreme caution should be used when using essential oils on young children.

Always perform a patch test to check for an allergic reaction before using an essential oil for the first time.

Always label homemade products well.

Dark-colored bottles work best for products containing essential oils. Store in a cool, dark place when not using.

Note: This natural homemade insect repellent is great for mosquitos, flies, and other annoying warm season bugs. Tweak to your liking and apply with confidence.