Home made insect repellent?

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Any recipies for home made bug repellent??

-- eaten up (got@bi.te), May 17, 1999

Answers

No, but I have heard good results are to be had from Avon Skin So Soft. I have seen solar powered key chain sized electronic mosquito repellants advertised in some mail order catalogs. Don't know how well they work.

-- Joe O (ozarkjoe@yahoo.com), May 17, 1999.

Yeah, the avon skin so soft is really good. I have been using it on the kids since I read somewhere about the chemicals in the bug repellant was killing some children...don't remember anymore about it than just that.

-- shellie (shellie01@hotmail.com), May 17, 1999.

Avon Skin-so-soft is a fraud - the only useful ingredient is the oil, plus you don't smell so great. Slathering on baby oil (the Indians used bear grease) would work just as well and be a lot cheaper.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), May 17, 1999.

I read somewhere the pennyroyal (herb) crushed fresh leaves rubbed on skin helps. Unfortunately I think mosquitoes track you by the CO2 exhaled so ............tough to avoid that! Personally I don't use DEET because of fears of toxicity but if ever in a third world type of situation with diseases spread by mosquitoes would probably use it anyway. So, I keep some on hand. Remember you can also spray it on your clothes which does help somewhat.

-- Kristi (securx@Succeed.Net), May 17, 1999.

I smear a little citronella oil on my baseball cap just prior to working in the yard. Keeps the gnats out of all facial orifices quite nicely.

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), May 17, 1999.


The natives west of the rockies used to rub mugwort on their skin to repel mosquitoes, and the fellas used it to disguise their human scent during the deer hunt. In my experience it works against other bugs too! In many cultures a tea is made for women out of it to help ease monthly discomforts.

-- flora (no itch@any.where), May 17, 1999.

Oh dear. Just realized that if the power goes out, my bug zapper won't work. What will we do for entertainment?

-- anon (anon@anon.com), May 18, 1999.

I've found that a hand full of euculiptus ( sp? ) leaves or Mertel leaves will keep bugs away. Crush them and rub on skin, toss on the camp fire.

We have bugs that will pack you off for storage. I mix a little baby oil to help spread it around, works for hours.

-- CT (ct@no.yr), May 18, 1999.


eaten up

I live in Maine where there are 2 seasons

1.) winter

2.) black fly season

The best bug dope I've found is olive oil, with oil of citronella and chopped garlic. And it's all natural.

I buy oil of citronella at the health food store. I use an empty vitamin container. A small amount of oil of citronella goes a long way. I recently found some "Old Time Woodsman" fly dope in a country store. I mix some of that in too. It had been years since I last found "Old Time Woodsman" I can stand up to any bug in Maine while gardening, fishing, and camping with home made bug dope. (if you don't have "Old Time Woodsman" the Oil of Citronella, garlic, and olive oil will work great alone)

-- monique (me@home.here), May 18, 1999.


on/in you -- garlic. in the garden or close to house -- chives (deters ants and many other little nuisances)

-- sarah (qubr@aol.com), May 19, 1999.


Have had problems with flea attacks on shins. Tried Jungle Juice & other natural lotions/sprays/oils. What's working is slathering Tea Tree Oil. Keeps away the fleas, bugs, and people too ;^)

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), May 19, 1999.

Anyone have anything new to add on home brewing repellent?

Seems this is a good thread and should be at the top, or near it anyway!

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), June 15, 1999.


Heard on the Eco-Minute that bug zappers actually kill more of the "good" insects than the annoying ones--can't find where exactly, but should be on this website: http://www.nsc.org/ehc/minute/emwildlf.htm Going to Venezuela soon--would love to find a natural mosquito repellent, but doc says Deet is essential... (yellow fever, dengue, etc.)

-- Susanna (sevillana23@yahoo.com), December 08, 2004.

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