Midges can be a nuisance during outdoor activities, leaving you with itchy bites and ruining your experience. Fortunately, there are effective ways to repel midges using certain types of food. By incorporating these foods into your diet, you can help keep these pesky insects at bay and enjoy your time outdoors without constantly swatting them away.
One of the most effective foods for repelling midges is garlic. The strong odor of garlic can act as a natural insect repellent, deterring midges from coming near you. Incorporating garlic into your meals or taking garlic supplements can help create a barrier between you and these annoying insects.
Another food that can help repel midges is citrus fruits. The scent of citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits is known to repel insects, including midges. Adding citrus fruits to your water or snacks while outdoors can help deter midges and make your time outside more enjoyable.
Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is a natural insect repellent that is commonly used to deter midges. It has a strong citrus-like scent that masks the carbon dioxide and lactic acid that attract midges to humans. Citronella oil can be applied directly to the skin or used in diffusers to keep midges at bay.
| Pros | Cons |
| Effective at repelling midges | May need to reapply frequently |
| Natural and chemical-free | Strong scent may not be appealing to everyone |
How to Use Citronella Oil
To use citronella oil as a midge repellent, dilute a few drops of the oil in a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply it to exposed skin. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of citronella oil to a diffuser or mix it with water in a spray bottle to create a natural midge repellent spray.
Garlic
Garlic is known for its strong smell and taste, but did you know that it can also help repel midges? The pungent aroma of garlic is off-putting to many insects, including midges. You can incorporate garlic into your meals to help keep midges at bay.
| How to Use: | Include minced or crushed garlic in your dishes such as pasta, stir-fries, or salad dressings to help repel midges. |
| Effectiveness: | Garlic may not provide complete protection against midges, but it can help reduce their presence in outdoor areas. |
| Additional Benefits: | Garlic is also known for its health benefits, including boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation. |
Apple Cider Vinegar
One effective way to repel midges is to use apple cider vinegar. The strong scent of apple cider vinegar is known to deter these pesky insects. You can create a simple midge repellent by mixing equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the solution on your skin or around the area where you want to repel midges.
Alternatively, you can also try consuming apple cider vinegar internally. Some people believe that regularly consuming apple cider vinegar can change the scent of your sweat, making you less attractive to midges. You can mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water and honey to mask the taste, and drink it daily.
Remember to do a patch test on your skin before using apple cider vinegar as a repellent to ensure that you don’t have any adverse reactions.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is a natural insect repellent that is effective against midges. Its strong scent masks the scent of humans, making it difficult for midges to detect their prey. Simply dilute a few drops of peppermint oil in water and apply it to your skin or mix it with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil for a longer-lasting effect.
Additionally, you can add a few drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray it around your patio or outdoor seating area to keep midges at bay. The refreshing aroma of peppermint will also help to create a pleasant environment for you and your guests.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Lemon eucalyptus oil is derived from the lemon eucalyptus tree, which is native to Australia. It contains compounds that have been found to effectively repel midges and other insects. To use lemon eucalyptus oil as a natural insect repellent, you can mix it with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and apply it to your skin.
- Combine 10-15 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil.
- Apply the mixture to exposed skin before heading outdoors.
- Reapply every couple of hours for continued protection.
It’s important to do a patch test before applying lemon eucalyptus oil to a larger area of skin to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions. Additionally, pregnant or nursing women should consult with a healthcare provider before using lemon eucalyptus oil as a repellent.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is a natural remedy that can help repel midges due to its strong and sweet scent. Here are some effective ways to use vanilla extract to keep midges away:
1. DIY Vanilla Spray
- Mix one tablespoon of vanilla extract with two cups of water in a spray bottle.
- Shake well and spray the mixture on exposed skin before heading outdoors.
- Reapply as needed to maintain protection against midges.
2. Vanilla-infused Candles
- Create homemade candles using vanilla extract as a fragrance.
- Burn these candles indoors or outdoors to help repel midges with the vanilla scent.
- Ensure the candles are placed strategically to effectively deter midges from coming near.
Lavender
Lavender is a natural insect repellent that can help keep midges at bay. Its strong, pleasant scent is known to repel a variety of insects, including midges.
You can use lavender in a variety of ways to repel midges. One option is to plant lavender in your garden or around outdoor seating areas to create a natural barrier against midges. You can also make a lavender spray by mixing lavender essential oil with water and spraying it on your skin or clothing before heading outdoors.
- Plant lavender in your garden or around outdoor seating areas.
- Make a lavender spray with lavender essential oil and water.
- Sprinkle dried lavender around your home or outdoor space.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a popular spice known for its sweet and warm flavor, but did you know that it can also help repel midges?
How it Works
Cinnamon contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde, which has insecticidal properties that can deter midges from coming near you.
To use cinnamon as a midge repellent: sprinkle cinnamon powder around your outdoor seating area or mix it with water to create a spray. You can also add a few drops of cinnamon essential oil to a diffuser to keep midges at bay.
Basil
Basil is not only a popular herb in cooking but also a great natural repellent for midges. The strong fragrance of basil leaves can help ward off these pesky insects when used in the form of essential oil or crushed leaves. You can place pots of basil plants around your outdoor seating areas or rub crushed basil leaves on your skin to keep midges at bay. Additionally, you can make a basil-infused spray by boiling basil leaves in water and using the strained liquid as a repellent.
Thyme
Thyme is a fragrant herb that can help repel midges due to its strong scent. Planting thyme in your garden or using it in cooking can help keep midges at bay. You can also make a thyme-infused repellent spray by boiling thyme leaves in water and then straining the mixture before spraying it on your skin or around your outdoor seating areas. The scent of thyme is pleasant to humans but intolerable to midges, making it an effective natural repellent.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant herb that is commonly used in cooking to add flavor to dishes. However, it is also known for its ability to repel midges. The strong scent of rosemary can effectively deter midges from coming near you when you are outdoors. You can use fresh rosemary sprigs to create a natural repellent by crushing the leaves and rubbing them on your skin or clothing. You can also burn dried rosemary leaves in a campfire to help keep midges away from your camping area.
Onion
Onions can be a useful ingredient in repelling midges due to their strong smell that is off-putting to these insects.