There are plenty of tips for keeping pests out of a garden: coffee grounds chase away snails; a small dish of beer stops slugs; mint tea bags deter ants; garlic gets rid of mosquitoes. But what about the actual gardener herself? How can she protect herself from pesky insects while she’s digging, planting and harvesting?
Take the following advice to safely linger in the garden longer:
“¢ Wear a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and long pants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends tucking pants into your socks or wearing high boots while gardening to avoid ticks, which may be at ground level.
“¢ Wear light-colored clothing to keep bees away. Light-colored clothing also makes it easier to see (and remove) bugs when they’ve landed on you.
“¢ Avoid wearing perfume or scented lotions; don’t bathe with scented soap before gardening.
“¢ Wear a mosquito hat (with mesh netting attached to the brim) to cover your face and neck.
“¢ Always wear gloves to protect your hands from insect bites.
“¢ Learn which types of bugs are common in your area/yard and when they tend to bite. Some mosquitoes, for example, feed in the morning and afternoon while others feed at night. Garden accordingly.
“¢ Pay attention to your surroundings. Make sure no bugs are present before you sit down or lean up against a tree.
“¢ Do not reach into places you cannot see (under rocks, into holes, around branches, etc.).
“¢ If a bee or wasp is bothering you, do not swat at it or it may attack. Walk away slowly.
“¢ Don’t drink from cans or keep open beverages nearby. Insects may be attracted to them and make their way inside.
“¢ Apply insect repellant to exposed areas of skin. If you prefer not to use DEET-based repellants, Vitacost.com carries a number of natural, organic repellants in spray, balm and even wearable-band form. Type “insect repellant” in the Search Box on our home page.
“¢Light citronella candles. Vitacost carries a 20-hour, petroleum-free, soot-free citronella candle for less than $4!
“¢ After gardening, shower to remove dirt and repellant, and check your body for ticks.