THE CAMP BUZZ IS ON- HOW TO DEAL WITH BUGS THIS SUMMER

Presumably, you’re sending your kids to camp because you want to give them the opportunity to reconnect with nature.  It makes sense then,to pack them away with stuff that protects the nature they’re going to visit.

So where do you start?  Well the first thing that comes to many peoples’minds when they think of camp is the bugs.  So let’s start by addressing them.  There are a few simple tips to minimize bites of all kinds, before we get to creams and potions.

1) Choose light-coloured clothing –  Not only are these much cooler in the sun, but mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours, and much less likely to bite you in lightly coloured clothing.

2) Go for coverage – A light, long-sleeved shirt is not much hotter than a t-shirt, and can drastically reduce the number of bites that kids get.  Light, long pants can offer the same kind of protection, and there’s even the kind that convert to shorts if you’re out of the woods and get too hot.  Socks are important too.  Don’t choose the low kind that leave your ankles bare.  Bites on the joints can be some of the itchiest and most annoying for the kids, so we want to avoid them as much as possible. And finally, a hat is a great way to keep the bugs from burrowing in the kids’ hair and feasting.

3)  Don’t wear anything “stinky” – Send the kids with unscented shampoos, creams and sunscreens, and try to wash their clothes in unscented detergents before they leave.  All of these things attract bugs in droves.

If you still want some kind of a bug repellent, I’d suggest using something without harmful chemicals in it.  This protects both your childrens’ health, and the plants and animals that they’re going to visit.  DEET, while quite effective as a repellent, is a toxic chemical, and should be used sparingly if at all.   The challenge is that there are so many “natural” solutions out there that really don’t work, so are hardly worth the expense and effort.  Repellents containing either eucalyptus and citronella, or both seem to be the most promising.

Cottaging is one of the great pleasures in life, but as more and more of us head north to enjoy the great outdoors, the stress on the lakes can be more than they can bear. Here are a just a few tips on how you can minimize the impact of your cottage on the lake that you love.

1) Always choose biodegradable – Although there are no universal standards around what biodegradable means, in a nutshell it says that a product will break down into substances that are naturally occurring in a short period of time once it is used. For things like soaps, shampoos and cleaners that you’ll be using up at the cottage, this is critically important. Conventional products can literally take years to break down, which is very harmful to everything in the lake.

2) Think of your septic system – Bacteria are necessary for the effective functioning of your septic – they do the majority of the work breaking down your waste. You can imagine the problems created when you put things like antibacterial soap or toxic chemicals into your septic system which kill off all of the good bacteria. Choosing green products make a big difference when your wastewater goes directly into the environment.

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There is a great deal of discussion today about sunscreen. We know only too well that the suns rays can be harmful, at the very least, to give us a burn and, worse, with prolonged exposure, the risk of skin cancer. We look then to “cover up” – and especially we look out for our kids. We want to look for sunscreen products that are effective in protection but, also perhaps today, we are challenged to be more careful about the products we choose – its impact on our health and also whether these products are friendly towards the environment.

There are many choices…so what are the issues?

The sun produces both visible and invisible rays. The invisible (short-wave UVA and long-wave UVB) rays cause most of the problems (suntan, sunburn and sun damage). The longer the exposure over time - the worse the effects. Experts say that there is no such think as a “safe” tan. (more…)

My favourite thing to do at the cottage can now be done guilt free!

Ever since I was kid I can remember jumping into the lake, lathering up with shampoo and conditioner and watching all the suds float around me. At the time I was completely oblivious about the damage I was doing to my giant swimming pool. As I grew up and cottagers like myself became more aware of the environment, we realized that the baths we were taking in the lake were totally polluting it. So, I was forced to go back to the traditional mode of cleansing in the shower.

But there’s good news for me and the rest of my friends up here this cottage season- we are back to the basics! Green Cricket’s new personal care line offers amazing, sudsy biodegradable shampoo & conditioner.  These products are definitely going to be a staple on my dock, as it should be for everyone that is going to enjoy the water this year.  If you are camping, boating or cottaging this year why wouldn’t you want to keep our lakes and rivers as clean as can be!

I am one of the many women that aren’t afraid to splurge when it comes to great hair. With this GC combo your hair will come out detangled, smooth and with a great glow. Promise!

You can find the shampoo and conditioner at several stores up north including the Chameleon in Bracebridge, Country Charm in Baysville, Pharmasave in Huntsville and a few more gems up here.

I can’t tell you enough about the benefits of using this line.  Give it a go for yourself this summer and dive-in!

Signed,

Your fellow cottager
Jamie Hitchon

Ever been to countries where you can be by a lake and enjoy the outdoors without the fear of being bitten by a black fly, mosquito or some other bug? Well I have, but alas that country is NOT Canada (unless of course that lake is frozen)!  After a long winter, Canadians are anxious to enjoy the outdoors – camping, the cottage, and the garden BUT without being bitten.  So, what repellents are safe for us and for the environment?

DDT used to be the answer in the mid 1900’s.   The chemical was hailed as a solution, especially in countries where mosquito-carrying diseases such as malaria were a problem.  Initially it was declared safe, but it became evident that DDT was toxic to the environment and, furthermore, mosquitoes could become immune to its effect!  In 1962, Silent Spring by American biologist Rachel Carson listed the environmental impacts of the indiscriminate spraying of DDT in the US and questioned the logic of releasing large amounts of chemicals into the environment without fully understanding their effects on ecology or human health. (Its publication was one of the signature events in the birth of the environmental movement.  Silent Spring resulted in a large public outcry that eventually led to most uses of DDT being banned in the US in 1972 and subsequently banned for agricultural use worldwide.  

Let’s talk about DEET.  The chemical is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide. It is the most common active ingredient in many insect repellents.  It too, has been used since World War II and works to combat insects.   But prolonged exposure can give health problems and studies suggest it should be used sparingly and only where essential to avoid insect carrying diseases.

So what can you do?  Avoidance is best of course:

•  Keep away from stagnant pools of water 
• If you have a pond, add a turtle as a pet (they love mozzies!)
•  Use fragrance-free and essential oil lotions or shampoos, as some artificial fragrances attract mosquitoes
• Cover up or stay indoors at dawn or dusk

But wait! Have you tried CITRONELLA based products?

Oil of Citronella shows little or no toxicity.  When used according to label instructions, citronella does not pose health risks to people, including children and other sensitive populations.
  Oil of Citronella poses minimal or no risks to wildlife and because of the low toxicity and limited uses of Oil of Citronella, it is not harmful to the environment. It is perhaps one of our best options to enjoy Canada in bug season!! 

Cottage Testimonial from Green Cricket staff member, Jamie Hitchon :

“I did the unthinkable.  I went down to my dock with no protection and watched the black flies and mosquito’s swarm me. Then I applied the bug repellent and not one fly landed on me! I have been trying different products forever now and I am happy to say I have found one that actually works and smells good!”