Does anyone have any good ideas for insect repellents. Preferably of a natural/herbal nature. Most interested on anything that will work on mosquitos and also something for black flies. Thanks for any ideas. Bob

-- Bob Johnson (Backwoods_Bob@excite.com), May 12, 2001

Answers

mud, spread it all over ya,, they cant bite if they cant touch ya. its all natural or wrap a mosqito net around ya,, that works most times, but they alwayts seem to get in somehow.

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), May 12, 2001.

I got this great stuff from the Jeffers catalogue called MosquitoSafe. It's basically geranium oil and is deet free. Works great on mosquitoes and gnats/blackflies, and smells OK. Also Gardens Alive and many garden centers sell "Bite Blocker" made by Consep which is a bit greasier but has natural ingredients.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), May 12, 2001.

P.S. The MosquitoSafe also repels ticks, but the same company (Naturale, Ltd, 516-829-1540) also makes a tick repellent.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), May 12, 2001.

a combination of citronella, peppermint and lavender essential oils does the trick. i sell them, so i know! if you want to check out my web site, it's mistymountainview.com. i sell all essential oil products and they are totally safe. i blend synergistic blends that are more effective together than alone. thanks!

-- jeannie (mistymt@theofficenet.com), May 12, 2001.

I live in fine Maine swampland and I swear by long sleeves, long pants an a hat. You don't get skin cancer this way either. If the black flies are really bad I can wear my bee veil. My neighbors think I'm a little odd, but hey, they think that anyway!

-- Sheryl in ME (radams@sacoriver.net), May 12, 2001.

Insect Repelent: 2 cups witch hazel, 1 1/2 tsp. citronella essential oil, 1TBSP. apple cidar vinegar, Mix well and put in spray bottles. Shake well before using. Makes 16 oz. Works well in southern IN. Hope it works for you.

-- Sherry (Calfarm@msn.com), May 14, 2001.

Garlic, taken internally, helps tremendously, it is not 100% effective, but then, NOTHING is!!! Take at least 1000mg. twice a day, more for people over 140 pounds. I take the "odorless" variety, and it still works against most insects, including ticks. For livestock, two teaspoons per 1000 pounds twice a day in their feed is a big help, again, not 100% effective, but enough of a deterent that I do not need to apply any spray at all.

Black flies are tough, double the doses for them and other tabanid family flies.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), May 15, 2001.

Eat lots of stuff in the summer (and spring) with vinegar in it...They don't like the smell of you(r blood) then.

-- Iam (titia@canada.com), May 16, 2001.

Hey Jeannie, I tried to get to your website ,couldn't get to it. Is that the right address? Daryll

-- Daryll (twincrk@hotmail.com), May 16, 2001.

MosquitoSafe non-DEET mosquito repellent is DEET free and can be ordered from jefferspet.com http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=0&mscssid=UGC1NW6DRAQX9K SVFM6E926C73J2FUJC&pf_id=3140

-- Paul Scott (paul_d_scott@yahoo.com), June 26, 2001.

Hi there - looks like you have a fair amount of responses concerning natural bug repellents, but just in case you haven't found a suitable one, here is a web address you might try : www.bugrepel.com. It has a bug repellent with 10 different essential oils in it and no strange chemicals. I can't provide a testimonial yet, but I am ordering it to use at an environmental camp I'll be working at this fall. Just an idea. Good luck.

-- HM McKee (wiselittleowl@hotmail.com), July 22, 2001.

My Husband has a lawn Care business in the Piney woods of South east Texas, near Conroe & Houston Area he is exsposed to fire ants, skeeters, chiggers, horse flies and wasps & bees every day he swears, by Avon Skin So Soft says it keeps all insects off him he literely baths in it everymorning before he leaves the house it has no deet in it

-- Rosalyn Brummett (rosalynb@totalzone.com), August 10, 2001.

Hi... Skin so soft works sometimes, but honestly, mozzies love me and will bite me anyway. Citronella oil works ok, but still they get me. Some folks suggest rubbing a dryer sheet over you, then putting it in your pocket. I have not tried this... has anyone else? Mint works for regular flies. I dot my kitchen and picnic tables with it and they are less likely to bother a person.

Amanda

-- Amanda Z (zimmermann5@yahoo.com), August 14, 2001.

I read somewhere that pure lavender oil mixed with mineral oil works best as all around repellent without the odor.

My family and son, age 7, will be travelling to Alaska this summer. We hear the mosquitos and bees are terrible there.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks Denice

-- Denice Barsness (db@eyeqeducation.com), February 08, 2002.