Hooray - the start of summer is here at last! Summer means warm sunny days, getting into the groove at outdoors concerts, bike rides to the beach, BBQ’s, pineapple Margarita’s – oh, how I could go on!

But the warm weather also brings out the bugs. Mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus, deer ticks carry Lyme disease and pesky flies and ants can ruin your picnic. Yuck! Before you whip out the DEET or rush indoors with your pineapple margarita (yes, it’s the new drink choice for the season) take note: there are simple and non-toxic household remedies that you can use to ward off insects and soothe stings.

HollyBeth’s refreshing Citrus Body Cream is one method that packs a powerful punch. Insects detest the Lemon, Orange and Litsea essential oils and will give you a wide berth. Along with the refreshing citrus scent the Vitamin E and Sweet Almond Oil will leave your skin oh so smooth. Perfect for those summer tank tops! And because it is all organic it is safe for sensitive skin and tiny tots. A must for all bathroom cabinets and BBQ’s, this all purpose beauty product has also been known to clear up severe cases of poison ivy.

Most often used to ward off vampires, garlic is also a deterrent for pests of the garden variety. To keep the mosquito’s from sucking your blood mix one part garlic juice with one part water and lightly spray skin. To repel ants you can slip cut up cloves of garlic into cracks in surfaces. Many ants also have a natural aversion to cucumber so you can leave cucumber slices in your kitchen or at the ant’s point of entry.

No longer just for use in cocktails, mint keeps flies away from your picnic goodies. Leave small sachets of crushed up mint around the home, or your picnic blanket, and flies will stay off your lunch. You can also try mint tea if you don’t have any fresh mint on hand (or you used it all up for the Mojito’s!).

And if you listened to my advice and you still got bitten, well don’t worry, or scratch! I’ve got something for you too. HollyBeth’s Marigold & Sweet Basil Shea Butter eases any itchiness from bites and the stings of sunburn. The Marigold, or Calendula Oil, has anti-inflammatory properties so it helps to heal the inflicted area faster. Marigold & Sweet Basil Shea Butter is the only combination of these two essential oils on the market and has also effectively cleared up cases of psoriasis and eczema.

Now you have your bug busting tips there is nothing to stop you enjoying the great outdoors. And my last piece of advice - just make sure the cord for the blender reaches the hammock!