| By :
Stewart Wrighter
If you are planning a trip to the woodland or the lake for an old-fashioned family picnic or a romantic meal with your significant other, prepare ahead of time for keeping bugs at bay. A delightful afternoon can turn into a horrific experience in no time at all if you find yourself brushing away ants and swatting away bees and mosquitoes. If you start your bug defense before leaving the house, you will cut down on the likelihood of your picnic being ruined. When packing your picnic, be sure to secure all of the food into plastic containers and resealable plastic bags. If you bring sugary foods like fruit, cut it up in advance and put bite-sized pieces into containers with lids. To keep bugs from becoming attracted to you and not your food, spray bug spray all over your clothing and skin before heading out. There are natural solutions with scents that will repel bugs for people who do not want to use chemical sprays. Spray these solutions on your clothing and the blanket you will be sitting on. Be careful not to let food touch the material once it has been sprayed. Be sure to bring along extra spray so you can reapply the solution throughout the day. While you are picnicking, you can repel bugs in the same manner you would use in your backyard. Bring along a few citronella candles or torches and burn them during your picnic. If you are using candles, prepare a flat surface on which to place them so they do not tumble over and spill wax. If you opt for citronella torches, place them far enough away from your picnic area to be safe. Also be aware of the brush and other flammable materials in the area if you are burning. Pay special attention to the seating you are using and spray cushions and blankets with bug-deterring solutions. Mix citronella oil with water to dilute it and spray the materials you are bringing with you on the picnic. Spray from about a foot away so you do not stain the materials. Also, be sure to dilute the oil before spraying so it does not leave oil stains. Eucalyptus oil and lemon balm oil also work well to drive away pests. These scents also smell fresh and clean, so everything you bring on your picnic will be scented and pleasant to use. Finally, consider avoiding foods that are known to attract bugs on picnics. Sugary foods send out a signal to the entire woodland that food is ready and available. Foods like breads and cheese have a tendency to attract bugs as much, but you may not want to limit your food choices just to avoid pests. If you want to include all foods in your picnic, bring plenty of damp towelettes with you so you can wipe away sugary residue from foods and avoid calling out to the bugs with your sugary scent. Also remember to avoid sweet smelling perfumes when you are picnicking and opt for scents similar to those you would use in your natural bug repellent sprays.
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