Inner-Wilderness.com

The rains this spring have made for some dramatic changes in the local landscape, turning the Valley into a rainforest full of bugs! I’ll be the first to admit, the biting flies are starting to dissuade me from a wilderness walk. Which means it is time to review my insect repellent options.

I am looking to discover the “inner fly of me”, and I am getting some insights into myself by contemplating what parts of me are buzzing around my head, distracting me from how I want to be right now in the world. I want to listen to the message of these irritating inner flies, so they will feel heard—and hopefully go elsewhere— I also want to deal with these outer flies and get them to leave, too!

Cranberry’s Grocery and Eatery, www.goCranberrys.com, in downtown Staunton is a great local shop for supplying us with what we all will need along the lines of natural insect repellent. There may be a place in the world for DEET, but I’d recommend trying something more natural first. Cranberry’s carries two products: one by Janet’s Garden (a local product) and also a Burt’s Bees product.

Or, you can make your own. To make your own, first do a small skin patch test of a diluted oil to see if you have any reaction. If after a day you have not, add a couple of drops of an essential oil to at least 1-2 oz. of water or witch hazel in a spritzer bottle. Or a base can be olive oil, another neutral commercial lotion or a neutral hair conditioner that you add the essential oil drops to. Spritzers are nice because you can spritz your clothes and hair. Lotions and oils last longer on skin.

Essential oils should never be applied full strength and all the following recommendations are for topical use only. Avoid doing obviously risky things like spraying the oils into your eyes or other sensitive spots.

What oils are good for a combination of flies and mosquitoes? Try: oil of citronella, catnip, cedarwood, peppermint, or lavender. Or some combo. Citronella, cedarwood and peppermint oils have the added benefit of being useful against ticks.

Let’s try to take advantage of experiencing the wonderful changes of our flora and fauna that these unusual spring rains have brought. Don’t let the bugs drive you back inside!