Sitting out on the deck this summer? If you want to avoid being pestered by flies and chomped on by mosquitoes, simply bring out a fan. A standard pedestal fan will do the trick, but if you are lucky enough to have a ceiling fan, turn it on. You will keep cool and blow any lurking bugs away.Obviously this tip only works when you in the vicinity of a fan, but it does offset the need for any kind of chemical treatment - natural or not so much. If you are moving back inside, make sure you turn on the fans there as well.
Even at low speeds, the breeze generated by a fan is far stronger than the ability of flies and mosquitoes to fly against it. Mosquitoes are attracted by carbon dioxide emissions and the fan breeze is also an effective way of blowing the carbon dioxide away from you.
Make a natural mosquito repellent by dabbing an essential oil like lavender on your ankles or wrists or mixing an essential oil with a carrier oil or alcohol and rubbing on your exposed skin. Other very effective essential oils are geranium, lavender, rosemary, citronella, lemongrass or lemon eucalyptus.