Insects
by midsummer,
biting insects like mosquitoes and fleas are out in full force in most parts of the united states. unless you plan to stay inside, you will likely head to the store to load up on bug repellents. an excellent natural alternative to chemical bug repellents is the use of essential oils. such oils, taken from natural substances, have been used for centuries for this purpose. essential oils repel insects because they block their sense of smell, fooling them into thinking they should go elsewhere for their meal. for example, to get rid of ants around the house, put drops of peppermint oil across the ant paths. this confuses the insects' scent trails and makes it impossible for them to find food. similarly, you can confuse biting insects by wearing essential oils on your skin that do not allow them to sniff you out. oils that are strong smelling work best as bug repellents. some of the most effective are peppermint, citronella, eucalyptus, and lavender. applying a watered-down essential oil to the warmest exposed areas of your skin (backs of the knees, behind the ears, etc.) will discourage bugs from using your skin as a landing strip. however, make sure not to use sweet-smelling or perfume-like oils. what is the main idea of the passage?
a. insects usually have a strong sense of smell.
b. insects can be repelled through natural products.
c. natural bug repellents usually have a strong smell.
d. sweet-smelling oils can attract bugs to your skin.