Posted on 07/22/2014 7:16:48 AM PDT by Reaganite Republican
Lavender oil ... so I’ll smell like my grandmother when I was a boy. No thanks, I’ll use tea tree oil instead.
My wife is particularly susceptible to mosquito bites. For every bite I get she’ll get twenty and it ruins her her enjoyment of the outsoors. Several years ago a farmer told me Permethrin works wonders around his farm and he recommended I spray it liberally around my house. So, I started spraying my yard and shrubs, the wood fence, my house, and up into trees. I spray everything but my raised garden boxes and koi pond. I usually do it twice a year and It has made a huge difference. I almost never get a mosquito bite at home and my wife can actually sit on the porch or under the shade trees. I’ve never used it on clothing and gear as you suggested, but that’s a great idea. Like you, I’m a believer in Permethrin.
Avon makes a Skin So Soft version of a mosquito repellent, using Picaridin, also known around the world as KBR3023, or Bayrepel (trademark of Bayer AG) instead of DEET.
I was under the impression that Skin So Soft was ineffective, as your anecdote suggests.
This study found Skin So Soft is not as good as DEET, but not too bad either (I’m still going to stick with DEET).
You can even soak an awning or shade umbrella.
There is ONE tiny issue with the stuff: Cats. Not good for cats, so keep it away from them. You can soak your clothing and cats can sit on you, but keep the liquid stuff away from cats. Probably small dogs, too, but I soak the large dog collars in the stuff (letting it dry before placing on the dogs) and it works for them as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin
Permethrin is great stuff, but is Dangerously toxic to cats. Other mammals not so much.
not good for cats! a plus.. safe for Dogs I assume? I have a GSD... thanks, going to look into getting this... i get bit all the time out back...
Please see #26
See my #25. :)
The best natural cure for skeeters around the home is to encourage a colony of either swallows or bats. Their diet is your enemy pest......
How much do you dilute it before you put it on clothes, dog collars, etc?
for later.
DDT is for girls. I usually douse myself with Chlordane.
For those who prefer pump-action:
Permethrin is made from the Chrysanthemum flowers. It has been known for centuries to repel and kill bugs. It is what is in things like borer worm killer for trees.
-=00800=-
KNOW the difference between Permethrin and Pyrethrin !!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.