Its the time of year where more time is spent outdoors around campfires, water, family and friends. For many Capital Region residents, spending time outdoors should be enjoyable and memorable, memorable in a good way. Memories involving insects are not always pleasant. According to Readers Digest, there are common foods to naturally protect against bug bites. For Clifton Park, Saratoga and Northville communities, follow the suggestions below for less of a buggy event.

1. Garlic

Several days before you take a camping or hiking trip into bug-filled territory, start eating garlic. Have a clove or two every day. As you sweat out the garlic odor, it repels many insects. Maybe this is where the myth of garlic repelling bloodsuckers came from!

2. Milk

If your skin feels like it’s burning up from too much sun exposure or if itchy bug bites are driving you crazy, try using a little milk paste for soothing relief. Mix one part powdered milk with two parts water and add a pinch or two of salt. Dab it on the burn or bite. The enzymes in the milk powder will help neutralize the insect-bite venom and help relieve sunburn pain.

3. Salt

For relief from the itching of mosquito and chigger bites, soak the area in salt water, then apply a coating of lard or vegetable oil.

4. Olive Oil

It’s so satisfying to watch birds enjoying the garden bath you provide. But unfortunately, that still water is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Floating a few tablespoons of vegetable oil on the surface of the water will help keep mosquitoes from using the water, and it won’t bother the birds. But it’s still important to change the water twice a week so any larvae don’t have time to hatch.

5. Onions

Rubbing a slice of onion over your skin can be a good way to keep away mosquitoes and other biting insects.

6. Orange and Lemon Peels

If you’re not crazy about the idea of rubbing onions all over yourself to keep away mosquitoes, you may be happy to know that you can often get similar results by rubbing fresh orange or lemon peels over your exposed skin. It’s said that mosquitoes and gnats are totally repulsed by either scent.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Planning a camping trip? Here’s an old army trick to keep away the ticks and mosquitoes: Approximately three days before you leave, start taking 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar three times a day. Continue using the vinegar throughout your trek, and you just might return home without a bite. Another time-honored approach to keep gnats and mosquitoes at bay is to moisten a cloth or cotton ball with white vinegar and rub it over your exposed skin.

8. Vanilla

Everybody likes the smell of vanilla. Everybody but bugs, that is. Dilute 1 tablespoon vanilla extract with 1 cup water and wipe the mixture on your exposed skin to discourage mosquitoes, blackflies, and ticks.

If you are concerned about the insect bites/bug bites ruining your outdoor event or injuring your family, friends or pets contact Thomas Pest Services before any problems arise. Do-it your self or preventative measures are not always enough to keep these pests away. Thomas Pest Services serves the Capital Region from Chatham, to East Greenbush to Albany, Saratoga, Amsterdam and beyond as your local pest control provider.