Three Environmentally Friendly Ways to Reduce Insect Bites

During the remaining weeks of summer, many people are planning trips and excursions while the weather is still warm.  After spending time outdoors, remember to check for lingering insects and insect bites.  It is important to be precautions of bites because while some insects, such as ticks, can spread disease. 

Insect repellent is a proven method to reduce the amount of bug and insect bites.  In addition to repellent, the following three methods are eco-friendly ways to limit painful and harmful insect bites:

1) Remember clothing options: When spending time outside in the woods for a camping trip, it is important to pack and wear long pants and shirts.  Though it is summertime, it is hard to receive ticks and other insect bites when wearing layers of clothes that protect the skin.  After these trips, it is important to wash any clothes worn because insects may be hiding on the fabric.

2) Consider the path: Walking through tall grass and overgrown shrubbery is an easy way to receive insect bites.  Stick to established trails and pathways when hiking or walking outside.

3) Inspect four-legged friends: Pets also can receive insect bites when outside with their human parents!  It is necessary to check dogs after camping trips to ensure animals are not bringing ticks and other insects inside the home.

After camping trips, remember to check the skin for any insect bites because not all bites may hurt.  Bites that are severe require medical attention and should be inspected by a medical professional.

These tips were found on the page "Stop Ticks to Avoid Lyme and Other Tickborne Diseases" on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.  Read the original page here.

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

A Recipe to Reduce Food Waste: Summer 2018 Edition

A Smoothie Recipe for A GreenLiving Lifestyle

Want to reduce food waste?  Combating food waste is a great way to promote GreenLiving.  Ways to reduce food waste include re-organizing the refrigerator and/ or creating lists when shopping at the grocery store.  Another is finding creative ways to utilize leftover food so very little to no food needs to be thrown away and wasted.

This season, try to utilize some leftover fruit to make a delicious smoothies.  Fruits that are a few days past their prime ripeness are still the perfect ingredients for smoothies.  Below is a perfect recipe to try during a warm, summer day:

Share a favorite smoothie recipe below!

This post was originally published on Grady's GreenLiving Tips on March 28, 2017.  Read the original post, "A Recipe to Reduce Food Waste," here.

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

Five DIY Home Remedies for Summer Insect Bites

Summer 2018 is here!  Spending a lot of time swimming in the community pool, attending barbecues, and enjoying the outdoors?  If so, it is easy to experience an unpleasant aspect of the summer season: bugs.  There is often an uptick in the amount of bug bites people receive in the summer.  

Trying to avoid excess chemicals this summer in an attempt to live a greener life?  If so, instead of purchasing ointment or medicine from a store, try to use these eco friendly bug bite remedies.  These supplies are natural and are commonly found in pantries and cabinets at home:

1) Oatmeal: Oatmeal is often used to soothe the skin.  Oatmeal is an anti irritant and is very healthy for the skin.  For relief with one or two bug bites, mix oatmeal with some cold water until the mixture has the consistency of paste and apply the mixture to the bite with a washcloth.  For numerous bites, try mixing oatmeal in with a bath.  It is important to note that it is better to use cold water because cold temperatures reduce inflammation.  

2) Ice: As stated above, cold temperatures help to reduce inflammation.  For itch relief from mosquito bites, use an ice pack and apply on the skin for several minutes.  For a longer application, wrap ice cubes in a cloth or paper towel.

3) Aloe: Not just for sunburns, aloe is great for the skin.  Apply directly to bug bites for itch relief.  Aloe also can help small cuts and abrasions heal.

Plastic and the Ocean: A Summertime GreenLiving Blog

This Type of Debris is Typically Found in the Ocean

Summer 2018 begins in only a few weeks!  Trying to visit the beach this summer?  Remember, the beach is an ecosystem that is home to numerous plants and animals.  Unfortunately, the beach and ocean can become littered with rubbish and debris that people leave behind on vacation.  

What type of debris is often most often recovered from the ocean?

Plastic materials are most often recovered from the ocean.  The plastic materials found in the ocean most often include: plastic cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bottles, and straws.