When enjoying the outdoors, nothing kills the mood more than when you have to continually swat the mosquitoes, bees and other insects away. If you are afraid of these creepy crawlers, it can be tempting to kill them or pollute your skin and air with toxic chemicals to repel them. But just like you, these insects have a purpose to fulfill. Bees pollinate and mosquitoes and spiders balance the ecosystem by feeding off of other living things. So the next time you have an encounter with one of these bugs, consider fending them off in a more eco-friendly and compassionate way.

To avoid getting those itchy mosquito bites, try adding some bladderworts to your water garden. Bladderworts are carnivorous plants that float on top of the water and trap small insects like mosquitoes in their bladder. They have either a yellow or purple flower, and if you can't find them at a nursery they can be ordered online. By putting a few of these plants in your water garden, you will see a decrease in the amount of mosquitoes around your home. Because there are so many poisonous spiders like the black widow and brown recluse, it's understandable not to want these insects in your home. But if you live near the woods, you are bound to have spiders. While you might not be able to prevent them from getting indoors, you can make sure their stay is short-lived. Cleaning and dusting your home on a regular basis enables you to spot any new spider webs, which you can wipe away with a cloth. Then use a humane insect trap to catch the spider and return it to the outdoors. Spiders can be scary looking and possibly poisonous, but you have to remember that they eat many other insects that you wouldn't want in your home. Dealing with bees and wasps is tricky, especially if you don't want to get stung. A solution of water and peppermint essential oil can be sprayed to prevent bees and wasps from building nests on the outside of your home. This solution should be sprayed during the winter or during the evening when the insects are less active. If you are allergic to bees or wasps, you should have someone else spray. Although insects can be pests, they are an important part of our ecosystem. Using natural and more humane ways to deal with these pests can decrease the amount of toxins going into the environment and into your skin.