Rambling essentials from fashion to recipes to gear and everything in between. Style Files is the creation of Jill Cohen Morris, an avid rambler and mother of two from Toronto, Canada, with a remarkable zest for life, a fabulous sense of humor, and remarkable style (of course).
Hey, Sole Sisters!
It’s time for my Rambling Style Files, where I discuss all things rambling, from fashion to recipes to gear and everything in between.
I love and crave warmer weather. After a long, cold winter, there is nothing better to me than feeling the warmth of the sun envelop my body. Just to be clear, I’m not talking about sweltering, humid heat. I am talking about the early signs of spring before the intense heat sets in. Unfortunately, where I live, with the winter thaw comes the bugs … from black flies to mosquitoes and everything in between!!
Bugs drive me insane. Their bites are uncomfortable, annoyingly itchy, and can even burn. Not my idea of a good time! What to do? The only 100 percent solution is to stay inside. That doesn’t work for me. I’m an outside gal, and I refuse to give these pesky insects power over me.
I do have a few tips, but none are foolproof. I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I go to my cottage in northern Ontario most weekends from May to September. It’s forest country, which means a breeding ground for bugs. They are especially bad in May and June. When I say bad, I mean torturous!! By July, it becomes too hot for them, but they do rear their ugly buzzing and biting heads at dawn and dusk.
What do I do?
I will share my secret weapon with you. When I’m rambling, I wear a mosquito netting jacket called The Original Bug Shirt. I will admit it’s not the most stylish, but it does the trick. Insects gravitate towards the CO2 we exhale, which is why they like to swarm your head and face. Honestly, this netting that covers my head and face is a game-changer.
There is a lot of controversy about bug spray and DEET. I try to avoid any sprays with DEET, but there are some rambles where I succumb. No judging… some rambles call for drastic measures!!
Here are a few tips you might find helpful.
Leave no skin uncovered! I made a rookie mistake. I went out for a ramble in leggings, and my ankles were exposed. When I got home, my ankles were covered in bites.
Wear clothing with zippers, not buttons. Insects can bite you through the gaps.
Insects are attracted to dark clothing, so wear light-colored clothing.
Vanilla extract and lavender are two recommended natural repellants. If you are adventurous, try the extract from a pine branch. Just break open a young branch and rub the moisture from the inside on your skin.
Insects love sweet-smelling perfumes and fabric softeners, so do your best to avoid them. Don’t eat candy or sweet drinks outside. They are magnets for mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks.
Lately, I have heard a lot about the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Some experts claim drinking one tablespoon two to three times a day for a few days before you plan to be outdoors keeps the insects away. A garlic clove a day is another option I have heard about. I'm willing to try apple cider vinegar, although I must admit, I am not keen on eating a garlic clove. I will try anything once.
Do pesky insects bother you? How do you keep them away?
Bugs be gone!!
Happy Rambling!
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