Posted on 05/04/2009 6:02:16 PM PDT by Former MSM Viewer
Anything natural that will repel mosquito/bug bites? I have heard garlic pills will repel them, but wife is allergic to garlic...
Any diet considerations anyone knows about?
Well, truth is that some people have a certain scent or something that is more attractive to the rascals. There is truth that some people are more inviting than others. I have read some things but probably the best is one of the Deet type products.
Fragrances can be attractive too - no deoderants, scented shampoos, or perfumes, lotions, etc.
lemon
B-complex...B-12...
Skeeters home in on potassium, avoid the bananas in skeeter country.
The state bird of MN is the mosquito. Trust me.
They always left my grandmother alone. She was always drinking gin and tonic. I’m not sure there’s a connection.
I have used cigar smoke to repel mosquitoes in south Texas large enough to call in for landing instructions.
Cedar oil: http://www.rosecityarchery.com/Bugg_Off.htm
natural mosquito repellents
Although the above repellents are the most promising, there are other natural mosquito repellents that are being researched:
Fennel - A small study by researchers at Seoul National University in Korea found that a spray mosquito repellent containing 5% fennel oil was 84% effective after 90 minutes and a repellent cream with 8% fennel oil was 70% effective after 90 minutes.
Thyme - In one study, carvacrol and alpha-terpinene, two compounds derived from the essential oil of thyme, were found to have significantly greater repellency than a commercial DEET repellent. The researchers suggest that a spray made with 2% alpha terpinene is a promising natural mosquito repellent. However, don’t try to make a thyme oil repellent at home- it is too irritating and strong-smelling to be used at effective concentrations above 25%.
Clove oil - Two studies have found that undiluted topical clove oil is active against mosquitoes. However, like thyme oil, clove oil should not be applied undiluted to skin as a homemade repellent.
Celery extract - A Thai study compared 15 mosquito repellents with a topical extract from celery. The researchers found that the extract did not irritate the skin or cause a burning sensation. It was found to be active against a wide range of mosquito species comparable to a 25% DEET formula.
Neem oil - An extract from the tropical neem tree, neem oil has insecticidal compounds called azadirachtins.
Vitamin B1 - Vitamin B1 is often taken to help repel mosquitos but one study suggests this remedy may be useless. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin study tested B1 with a larger sample of human subjects and found no effect of vitamin B.
Or as the old commercial went Drink Tabasco Sauce!! LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VICaWgD-76w
I agree with B complex...B12
DEET works great. It’s made from all natural elements (hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen).
I actually live in a swamp. Our mosquitoes are probably a lot worse in number and size and type.
In short: NO.
DEET is the only thing that will work. Cutters or Deepwoods OFF work. Don’t spray it directly on your skin. Spray a veil of it in front of you and walk into it.
The organic sprays I’ve tried will make you vomit from the smell and the oil base they use to make them is impossible to get out of your clothes. In any event, they don’t work. Neither does garlic, Skinsosoft, mint leaves or other things crushed on the skin or folk remedies.
It isn’t the scent that attracts them its the CO2 you let off. For black flies its the heat you let off. If black flies are after you just take your hat and hold it up above your head and see what happens. Its funny..they all go up to the hat until it cools off.
Diabetics also seem to attract hordes of them, to alleviate the itch use a q-tip soaked in ammonia.
Eating Bananas and other high potassium items will increase your tasty-ness to mosquitoes; but other than garlic I can’t think of a natural repellent.
Deet does work great. It’s basically a nerve agent (get some on your tongue and you’ll see what I mean).
But it’s not natural, as far as I know.
Allergic to garlic? She may be a secret vampire, do not turn your back for an instant!
Is your wife a vampire ?
Years ago I heard catnip was effective. So I steeped a bunch of catnip in some almond oil. It seemed to help. I don’t have any cats though. And I’ve heard yeast helps. My Mom used Avon Skin So Soft.
Years ago I heard catnip was effective. So I steeped a bunch of catnip in some almond oil. It seemed to help. I don’t have any cats though. And I’ve heard yeast helps. My Mom used Avon Skin So Soft.
6 seconds ! :-P FR is dragging so bad...
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.