Fall: A Time for Repel Picking?

The mourning for a summer gone is natural (especially such a fickle, north-east one). Global warming does afford us some warmer days into October, but that does not change the movement of the sun, the length of the days and the back-to-business attitude. The leaves are changing, the wind smells distinctly different, and coffee houses everywhere are stocking up on pumpkin spice. You may even be wearing a scarf in the mornings. This year in, New England; however, one inglorious sign of summer is taking the autumnal trip with us. Expect this basterd buzzing in your ear:

Thanks to a rainy, rainy June and July, followed by a sweaty August, a higher number of mosquito eggs are hatching later.  Being a mosquito magnet myself, I  have to say, this plainly sucks. To make matters worse (warning: alarmist moment coming up) the Boston Public Health Commission announced on August13th that a mosquito pool in Jamaica Plain tested positive for West Nile Virus. Woo hoo!

Pending pandemic aside, no one likes a mosquito bite. AND dried, pink Calamine Lotion splotches on bare legs will earn you no street cred points at the office or at the fall wedding you are attending. So let's make it easy on ourselves and keep some bug spray next to our deodorant.

Now, let's be even EASIER on ourselves. Deet, an ingredient found in most OTC insect repellents is not so good for you and is no Chanel No. 5. Here is a simple recipe for a natural mosquito repellent that will do the job and make you smell like the 'at home aisle' at Whole Foods.

  *10-25 drops essential oil (lemon balm, eucalyptus, or clove)

  *2 tablespoons vegetable oil (olive oil is fine)

Use any combination of the oils you like. Dab the mixture on your wrists and neck and lightly over exposed areas.

Or you can switch from coffee to chai, and hope the clove on your breath will be enough to keep these bloodsuckers away until the real cold creeps in.

In any case, good luck.