Re: Skeeters
I tried something different this year for homemade mosquito repellent. Now, I don’t think this would work as well as some repellents. I am usually not out at dusk or dawn and we almost always have a breeze which keeps the mosquitoes away. But, I do like greeneyes and grow basil everywhere. I found years ago that crushing a leaf and rubbing it over a bite helps a bit but it also repels insects from the spot where you’ve rubbed it. Often if I’m out I’ll crush and rub a few leaves on my ankles which seem to attract every biting thing. But in hot summer, it’s too much body area to try and rub the basil everywhere. Essential oil costs too much even dilluted in a carrier oil.
I had harvested a bunch of basil to dry early this summer while our area was flooding. Instead of throwing stems and such in compost, I boiled them up, let them steep overnight then refrigerated. After all our flooding the mosquitoes were horrible but I would splash that tea on my bare legs and arms when I went out to garden and it seemed to help some. Not perfect, but after all that flooding it was hot, humid and no breeze so all help was appreciated.
Thanks!