It was a lovely summer evening. The crickets were chirping, the air was warm but fragrant with seasonal flowery aromas. It was a night of good friends and good food- everyone was having a good time enjoying the outdoors. Until… those mosquitoes came to join the party! No one invited them but they took over and ruined our night. And instead of remembering the good time we were having before the bugs came, all that lingered from that night was the terrible itching! The itching from insect bites is pure agony, and it’s almost impossible not to give in and scratch, which will only make it itch more and opens the possibility for infections. What you need to do is stop the itch in its tracks. Here are some surprising things that will help.

1. Cold tea bag. Wet and chill a tea bag and place it on the bite. The cold will help numb your skin and the tea will soothe the itch.
2. Cold aloe vera.
3. Rubbing alcohol. Hand sanitizer will work, too.
4. Preparation H. Yes, the hemorhoid treatment. It helps with inflammation and swelling.
5. Listerine. The menthol cools the skin, and the alcohol reduces itching.
6. Essential oils. Try tea tree, lavender, or coconut. Tea tree oil also acts as an antibacterial.
7. Toothpaste. Also reduces swelling.
8. Basil leaves. Crush a few and apply to your skin.
9. Oatmeal. Make a paste and apply to itchy area.
10. Ice pack. It will numb your skin temporarily.
11. Baking soda. Make a paste with a little water and dab it on.
12. Lemon or lime juice.
13. Banana peel. Apply the inside of the peel to your skin to draw out the itch.
14. Honey. Honey is soothing and anti-macrobial, so it will help prevent infection.

Sounds a little weird, I know, but when you’re desperate, you’re desperate. And by using things you likely already have in the house, you can save the money you’d spend on insect bite products. You might want to spend it on mosquito netting for your next outdoor gathering!