Saturday, April 11, 2009

Don’t Bug Me

With Spring here and Summer approaching, you'll want to wear all your skin revealing tops and dresses. But one thing to remember when you're on that yacht or at an outdoor party is that with that warm weather comes the bugs. Be sure to pack your insect repellent in your bag or car to keep these nasty pests at bay. Here are a few of my favorite insect repellents. One of which is a trusted household name and the other is formulated with natural plant-based technology. Don't ruin your quick weekend getaway by not protecting yourself - remember to bring your insect repellent. A weekend without it could leave you looking like something out of a horror film.

When I was shooting Kim Kardashian for her 2010 Calendar in Mexico, I shot her in a dry desert, a jungle, and by the ocean. The last thing I needed while we were shooting was her being bitten and stung by insects. During each setup, I would lightly spray a natural plant-based insect repellent over her entire face and body. It gave both of us the confidence to focus on the shoot and not on what pesky bugs were around us. When I'm on a location shoot like I was with Kim in Mexico, it is essential for us to have a can of insect repellent. The point is to prevent any discomfort caused by insect bites.



Natural Plant-based Repellents

For those who want to avoid the chemicals in over-the-counter insect repellents, there is a holistic approach. There are many natural repellents with no added chemicals. Some people may have an allergic reaction to these chemicals so a natural repellent would be ideal. Here are a few tips and a list of some natural remedies as well as some things to avoid that may actually attract bugs to you:

Mosquito Attractants

Use this list of items and activities that attract mosquitoes as a list of things to avoid or that can be used as bait to lure mosquitoes away from you.

Dark Clothing
Many mosquitoes use vision to locate hosts from a distance. Dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants.

Carbon Dioxide
You give off more carbon dioxide when you are hot or have been exercising. A burning candle or other fire is another source of carbon dioxide.

Lactic Acid
You release more lactic acid when you have been exercising or after eating certain foods (e.g., salty foods, high-potassium foods).

Floral or Fruity Fragrances
In addition to perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, watch for the subtle floral fragrance from fabric softeners and dryer sheets.

Skin Temperature
The exact temperature depends on the type of mosquito. Many mosquitoes are attracted to the slightly cooler temperatures of the extremities.

Moisture
Mosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around your body. Even small amounts of water (e.g., moist plants or mud puddles) will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce.

Natural Repellents

These natural products will effectively repel mosquitoes, but they require more frequent reapplication (at least every 2 hours) and higher concentrations than DEET. Because of the differences between types of mosquitoes, products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient. As you can see, natural repellents tend to be volatile plant oils.

* Citronella Oil
* Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
* Cinnamon Oil
* Castor Oil
* Rosemary Oil
* Lemongrass Oil
* Cedar Oil
* Peppermint Oil
* Clove Oil
* Geranium Oil
* Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic

Another plant-derived substance, pyrethrum, is an insecticide. Pyrethrum comes from the flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium.

Things that Lower Repellent Effectiveness

* Many Sunscreens
* Dilution from Rain, Perspiration, or Swimming
* Absorption into the Skin
* Evaporation from Wind or High Temperatures

Keep in mind that 'natural' does not automatically imply 'safe'. Many people are sensitive to plant oils. Some natural insect repellents are actually toxic. Therefore, although natural repellents provide an alternative to synthetic chemicals, please remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products.

Posted by Troy Jensen at 10:52 AM
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