Bugs are a necessary part of our world, but getting bit or stung by them is no fun at all. Here are some tips on naturally keeping these bugs at bay.

To keep fleas and ticks from feasting on you when you are outside, you have to start with your pets. They are the most likely recipients of these bugs so you should start to treat and protect your pets from pests. In doing so, you will protect all of the non animal members of your family. When it comes to ticks, you want to prevent them from latching on to your pets in the first place. If you sprinkle some garlic powder and brewers yeast on your pets food every day will repel them. Another way is to add garlic and onions to your pets meal is by making homemade soup stock. I have found that my dog loves the meat and veggies,(garlic,onions,etc)that are left over after I have strained the liquid from them. She does not have a problem with fleas or ticks.

Another neat trick for keeping your cat and dog pest free, is by dipping a piece of rope or cloth into some undiluted eucalyptus oil and then placing around the neck like a bandanna. The essential oil from the leaf of the eucalyptus tree has naturally occurring chemicals that repel fleas and ticks. To keep the strength of the essential oil consistent, re-dip the rope or cloth once or twice a week.Eucalyptus oil is very potent and should never be directly applied to the skin. If your pet happens to be a cat, chances are it will not be happy with something tied around its neck. An easier way to keep your cat free of pests would be to mix 1 ounce of eucalyptus oil into one pint of water. Pour this into a spray bottle and spray your cats fur once a day.

This is something that can be applied to humans as well on any of your outdoor adventures. Spray it onto your skin and clothing before you go outside. Eucalyptus diluted in a vegetable oil (e.g. almond, sesame, sunflower) can safely be applied to the skin for longer lasting protection. Dilute 1oz essential oil of penny royal in 16oz vegetable oil to effectively repel mosquitoes by directly applying the dilution to exposed areas of skin. The essential oil of lavender, which Can also be applied directly on the skin, can repel black flies.

Bees and wasps are attracted by sweet smells and bright colors,so if you don't want them to think you are a flower,use unscented bath products. Neutral colors like tan and white are the least likely to attract bees and wasps. A non-invasive way to remove embedded stingers is to tape on an over-ripe banana peel (pulp side facing skin), overnight. The enzymes in the banana will painlessly draw to the surface any foreign object. The oil of a vitamin E capsule applied to a bee sting will relieve pain and swelling. The common weed, plantain, when mashed with a rock or chewed to break down its capillary walls (only chew if you are certain it has not been chemically treated) and poulticed (affixed) directly on the affected area, pulls out the toxins of an insect sting or bite and relieves swelling. A paste of baking soda and water or mud and water will calm the area.

If you enjoy having plants in your home, you need to keep an eye out for un-invited guests. Infected houseplants often respond well to a strained spray of water blended with a few fresh cloves of garlic. The eucalyptus/water spray described above can also be applied to houseplants. In centuries past, aromatic herbs were strewn on the floors of homes to repel insects. Instead, branches of herbs can be hung in doorways, arranged creatively in containers or crumbled into potpourris creating pleasant pest-repellent aromas. Essential oils can waft throughout the home in electric or candle diffusers. Cotton balls infused with essential oils can be strategically placed.