Natural West Nile mosquito and bug repellants

by Lady Lee 3 Replies latest jw friends

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  Lady Lee

  Our news here in Winnipeg is talking more about how to deal with those blood-sucking critters that now present more of a health risk than ever before.

  You might want to think about and try some of these natural repellants

  Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day April through October . He said it works. He was right. The odour the tablet gives out through your skin (YOU can not smell it) repels mosquitoes, black flies, no seeum's, and knat's. It does not work on stinging insects. Hasn't had a mosquito bit in 33 years. Try it. Every one he has talked into trying it works on them. Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)

  Ken said NPR reports that if you eat bananas, the mosquitoes like you, something about the banana oil as your body processes it. (Maybe they need the potassium too- lol) Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes will be much less interested.

  This is going to floor you, but one of the best insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods every day), is Vick's Vaporub.

  Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off a smell that bugs do not like, so plant some in that garden also to help ward off bugs without using insecticides.

  "Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time "camping out" say that the very best mosquito repellent you can use is Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol.

  Mix your own: 20 drops Eucalyptus oil 20 drops Cedarwood oil 10 drops Tea Tree oil 10 drops Geranium oil 2 oz. carrier oil (such as Jojoba) Mix together in a 4 oz. container. Apply to skin as needed avoiding the eye area. Keep out of reach of children. Test on a small area of skin for sensitivities. Experiment with different percentages of essential oil

  from Sharon: One of the best natural insect repellents that I've discovered is made from the clear real vanilla (not the grocery store vanilla extract which is mostly alcohol). This is the pure vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It's cheap there if you know of someone that lives there or in the US close to the border. If not, health food stores usually carry it or can order it for you. I use it half vanilla and half water and find that it works great for mosquitoes and ticks, don't know about other insects. when all else fails--get a frog

  Fight West Nile...pass this along to all your friends in skeeter land!!!
• 

  Scully

  Here are some other tips to avoid getting mosquito bites:

  • Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. Avoid being out during these low-light hours.
  • If you must go into wooded areas, wear long sleeves and pants, and keep covered up as much as possible.
  • Cedar hedges attract mosquitoes. If you are planting any new shrubbery in your garden, consider something other than cedars.
  • Keep water from pooling around your property. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. If you have pools and bird baths and fountains, make sure the water is replaced in them so mosquitoes won't breed there. Keep larger swimming pools chlorinated and filtered according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • While mosquitoes like how you smell when you eat bananas, they tend to dislike you if you eat citrus fruits. You can also rub the inside part of the citrus peels on your skin (lemons and grapefruits are better than sweeter citrus like oranges) that will also help repel mosquitoes.

  Love, Scully
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  Eric

  Thanks Lady Lee,

  I work outdoors, I'm going to give the B-1 vitamins a go, starting now.

  I've also heard that citronella extract is a good natural repellant, but I must admit that since I need good 30spf sunblock on during the summer the contact repellant that I've been using has reliable, nasty old DEET at 15% mixed with a 30spf block, just because the single application saves me time. If anyone is interested, it's made by "Croc-block".

  The best information I've been able to come across indicates that of the almost 40 species of mosquito that live in my area, (SW Ontario) only 2 carry the West Nile Virus. Both species require dead calm stagnant, warm water to successfully hatch and through the larval stage of about 9 days.

  We can help reduce the chances that these virus carriers will reproduce through some good yard and home maintenance:

  * An old tire leaning up against a wall with a puddle of stagnant water in it is an example of the perfect breeding ground. Recycle them! If you can't part with your old tire swing, drill some drain holes in it.

  * Check that your eavestroughs drain completely.

  * Punch drain holes in the bottom of your garbage cans and recycling bins.

  * Change the water in your birdbath regularly, ie: weekly.

  * If you go on vacation, have your housesitter or a pool maintenance company drain your pool / hottub cover if it rains.

  * I, like me, you have an old truck you only use as a "winter-beater", clean out any standing water from the box regularly. (If you want to put some drain holes into it, be sure you know where electrical, fuel, and brakes lines run!)

  I'm sure you can think of other specific examples of spots in your yard you would check on. I'm not beyond noticing some obvious potential problems in my neighbourhood and politely knocking on their door to let them know. Most mosquitoes live and die in a 100 metre radius of where they were laid as eggs, barring transportation by humans.

  By all means, take a stroll through the parking lot, yard and receiving area of you place of employment and report the potential breeding grounds you may see. Or, if you know your Health and Safety rep, ask them if they are aware of the need to eliminate the breeding areas for mosquitoes on their next workplace inspection, and ask for a follow-up.

  Finally, if you see a place of business that has problems with storing old tires, drums, containers, vehicles, or covering things up with sagging tarps, ask to speak with the manager, or if you are a bit shy of confrontation, report the situation to your local Health Unit, and ask for a follow-up.

  Eric
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  Lady Lee

  Wow those are excellent ideas Scully and Eric. Thanks

  Here in Winnipeg they do mass spraying of the entire city - except for the one part of the city I live in. When I first moved here Colin and I went for a walk to a friend's house a few blocks away. The mosquitoes were so bad we were walking down the middle of the street and even then had to run from a huge swarm of them that were chasing us. I have never in my life seen anything like it. I rarely go out in the evening now

  Think I will use all of the above - they are pretty vicious here