Preventing Pests From Plummeting Your Summer

By Amanda Cohen on July 10, 2016

Summer … a time consisting of lots of time outdoors, awkward, yet satisfying, tan lines, and ice cream (or a cold beer for the adults). However, all of the pretty artsy Instagram uploads may look like a little slice of heaven, but below the surface the images are hiding the true “consequences” of summer.

Summer is a time of fun and games, but all of that outdoor time leads to nasty sunburns, dehydration, and (ominous drum roll please) bug bites! I know these “conditions” sound painful and scary, but there are ways to work around the negative plights of the summer sun; yes, boys and girls, you guessed it … insect repellent!

pixabay.com

Now, don’t just stop reading and run off and buy the first bug repellent you spot. Continue reading and follow my suggestions of the best bug repellents around (trust me, I have endured 20 years of summer and have this down to a science)!

Off! Deep Woods VII

If the CDC says that Off! Deep Woods VII is the best bug repellent, then you know it must be true. Off! Deep Woods contains the chemical DEET, which repels mosquitoes. DEET does give off a strong scent; however, the smell is not what repels the mosquitoes: DEET itself makes it much harder for mosquitoes to land on your skin and bite you!

Also, don’t be afraid to use DEET on your young children, even though many people say that the chemical is terrible for kids. Research shows that as long as you apply the repellent in a safe manner on children (directions on the bottle), then DEET is perfectly safe when used by children! So, forget about all of the myths and purchase Off! Deep Woods VII for everyone in the family, no matter their ages.

You can find this amazing product on off.com.

Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus

Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus is a DEET-free mosquito repellent that also protects the skin from the sun! Yes, Skin-So-Soft truly has made a product that prevents the two worst parts of summer: bug bites and sunburn. Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus provides detailed directions to show how to use the product depending on what you are protecting yourself against (mosquitoes, deer ticks, sunburn, etc.).

If you are like me and suffer from terrible allergies, Skin-So-Soft is for you because it is hypoallergenic and has been dermatologist tested. Unlike DEET-containing bug repellents, Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus does not leave an unbearable smell, plus it absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a dewy residue!

You can find this amazing product on avon.com.

Image via Andrew Magill on flickr.com

Natrapel Picaridin Insect Repellent

If you love to fish in the summer, Natrapel Picaridin Insect Repellent is for you! This picaridin-containing solution protects against deer ticks, black flies, and mosquitoes without damaging synthetic clothing or fishing lines.

If you are a camper, this product is calling your name because it is REI-recommended! You can also use this product along with sunscreen as long as you apply the sunscreen first. Natrapel provides eight hours of nearly perfect protection that does not stain or damage clothing (for all of you fashionistas out there).

You can find this amazing product on rei.com

When the repellent doesn’t work …

Benadryl Extra Strength Spray

Even though the insect repellents that I talked about above are extremely effective, they aren’t quite 100 percent effective. Because of this “lack of perfection,” I wanted to give you all some ways to treat the mosquito bites that the repellent allowed to slip through. Since I am a person who has terrible allergies and for some reason gets attacked by mosquitoes every summer, I know what the best anti-inflammatory and allergy treatments are.

Benadryl works every time, trust me. All you have to do is get this product at your local pharmacy and spray a little bit on the bite so that you don’t itch at it and make it worse. The worst thing you can do for a bug bite is touch it, so this anti-itch spray will make sure you keep your paws off! This product also comes in cream form that works just as well.

You can find this amazing product on benadryl.com.

After Bite Insect Bite Treatment

If you don’t love Benadryl products and prefer to use a company product that focuses solely on mosquito bites, you should buy After Bite Insect Bite Treatment. After Bite is a stick that contains a dabber at the top that allows you to apply the liquid anti-itch solution directly to the bite. The solution in the tube provides immediate relief, as the cold liquid cools down the rough, hot, itchy bite on your body.

You can find this product at your local pharmacy, but I have also provided the Amazon link if you prefer to order it online! The best part about After Bite is that you will notice a sizable difference in the severity of your bug bite after just one or two uses!

You can find this amazing product on amazon.com.

So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, there are fantastic ways to protect yourself from the itching and discomfort of bug bites that do not involve you sitting on a couch all day! Wherever your summer adventures may take you, just remember to protect yourself!

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