4 natural remedies for bug bites

What do you do when you get a bug bite? Perhaps you prefer to avoid commercial products. Or maybe you’ve just run out of anti-itch ointment. You’re in luck: these natural remedies for bug bites can be quite effective.

Lavender is more than just a pretty scent — the essential oil also has anti-itch properties.

The best way to use lavender for a bug bite is to rub it into the area with a carrier oil, such as olive oil or walnut oil, until itching stops.

This remedy works best on bites that itch, like ant or mosquito bites. Don’t use lavender oil on any raw patches of skin, as it might sting.

Use a cotton ball to apply a swab of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to a bite that stings.

Vinegar is easy to use and particularly effective for pain from stingers, such as bees and wasps. The vinegar may also help remove the stinger from the skin.

Tea tree oil can help alleviate some of the sting from bug bites. It also has anti-bacterial and antiviral properties. This means that the oil can help prevent the bite from becoming infected and may even neutralize any remaining poison.

Use tea tree oil along with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, to prevent it from burning the skin. You can use tea tree oil with broken skin, but be prepared for some light stinging.

Onions are surprisingly effective at relieving some of the sting and itch from bug bites. They also contain chemicals that can neutralize poison.

Simply rub a cut piece of raw onion over the bite and the sting should be gone in just a few seconds. This works best for bites from ants and stings from beetles, wasps and bees.

You may be surprised at how effective these natural remedies can be at fighting the itch and sting from bug bites. It’s possible you’ll never use commercial anti-itch ointments again.