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DebB
07-23-2009, 12:08 PM
Hi ~ We're going camping soon and I'd like to make some mosquito repallant. I found a site online that suggests different essential oils mixed with 190-proof grain alcohol available at a liquor store...

Have any of you made a repellant that is tried and true?

Would the above work? I'm not knowledgeable enough about spraying this mixture right on the skin of kids - I'm wondering about the alcohol to be honest...

All help appreciated ~ I want to avoid the nasty store bought sprays. *Ü*
contessa20
07-23-2009, 02:04 PM
The bug spray I make is:

1 C. distilled water
70 drops each eucalyptus, peppermint & citronella oils

It seems to work pretty well.
DebB
07-23-2009, 02:14 PM
The bug spray I make is:

1 C. distilled water
70 drops each eucalyptus, peppermint & citronella oils

It seems to work pretty well.


Thank you Contessa! I like that you mix the oils in water vs. the alcohol.

I'm ready to place an order through Azure Standard, so I'm looking at their essential oils. They carry a couple brands, Aura Cacia & Nature's Alchemy.

They have (for example) Eucalyptus 0.5 oz.: $2.55. Would this be large enough to get the 70 drops? I don't know anything about ess. oils...

Thank you again! *Ü*
contessa20
07-23-2009, 02:56 PM
An ounce of essential oil is roughly 600 drops, give or take depending on how dense the oil in question is. A half ounce then would have about 300 drops which should be more than enough to make at least a few batches of bug spray.
Dimond
07-23-2009, 03:32 PM
Consuming raw garlic works for me. It's pretty amazing too.
DebB
07-23-2009, 05:00 PM
An ounce of essential oil is roughly 600 drops, give or take depending on how dense the oil in question is. A half ounce then would have about 300 drops which should be more than enough to make at least a few batches of bug spray.

Thank you again Contessa, that's what I needed to know!
DebB
07-23-2009, 05:00 PM
Consuming raw garlic works for me. It's pretty amazing too.

Maybe that's why I'm not bothered too much... hmm.. :D Thank you for the tip about raw garlic! *Ü*
contessa20
07-23-2009, 06:29 PM
You're very welcome, m'dear. :)
ginadj
07-25-2009, 07:48 AM
Deb when you get back can you update us on how well you thought your mix worked!
michigan roman
07-25-2009, 08:17 AM
ive heard the garlic

large doses of b12

and in northern michigan they use strawberry scented shampoo
to repel black flies and maybe mosquitos too cant remember
DebB
07-25-2009, 09:55 AM
The bug spray I make is:

1 C. distilled water
70 drops each eucalyptus, peppermint & citronella oils

It seems to work pretty well.

I've ordered the 3 essential oils and will post back. :D
Sugar Snap Pea
07-25-2009, 03:26 PM
I love Badger Anti Bug Balm. Google badgerbalm.com. Organic, all natural, smells good too! :)
DebB
07-25-2009, 04:33 PM
I love Badger Anti Bug Balm. Google badgerbalm.com. Organic, all natural, smells good too! :)

Thank you Sugar Snap Pea ~ I'd never heard of this product line and I'm definitely bookmarking their site - their products look really good. I'm so glad you shared this info. *Ü*
green jeanie
07-25-2009, 06:33 PM
"quit buggin me"

by goodnaturedearthling.com

this is my herbal teacher. she rocks. organic wildcrafted.

tell her ellen sent you please! :D
DebB
07-26-2009, 01:45 PM
"quit buggin me"

by goodnaturedearthling.com

this is my herbal teacher. she rocks. organic wildcrafted.

tell her ellen sent you please! :D

Thank you green jeanie ~ I've bookmarked her site, it looks fantastic! *Ü*
jules88
07-28-2009, 12:53 AM
ive heard the garlic

large doses of b12

and in northern michigan they use strawberry scented shampoo
to repel black flies and maybe mosquitos too cant remember

Are you serious about the strawberry shampoo? I was born and raised in thenorthern part of lower michigan and then lived many years in the UP, but have never heard of this. My family still lives up there and I doubt they have heard of it either. That would be soooo cool if it really did!
ginadj
08-16-2009, 06:42 AM
So Deb, how did this go??? any update?
Veganforlife
08-16-2009, 06:49 AM
Without reading all the posts, I use this product. It's simply oil of cedar and water. Safe for everyone and everything (except hedgehogs, for real!).
www.cedarcide.com
michigan roman
08-16-2009, 08:47 AM
Are you serious about the strawberry shampoo? I was born and raised in thenorthern part of lower michigan and then lived many years in the UP, but have never heard of this. My family still lives up there and I doubt they have heard of it either. That would be soooo cool if it really did!

just saw your post . yes im totally (thats valley talk :D)

before going vegan when i was younger ide go hunting / fishing all the time up north , off old state road in the gaylord area , and up in the u.p. in delta county . me and all my buddies were into all outdoor stuff and read every michigan and national magazine on the outdoors and that was one of the things we read . though i dont think anyone ever tried it because using strawberry shampoo woulda been gay to us :p
DebB
08-16-2009, 12:15 PM
So Deb, how did this go??? any update?

I made up Contessa's spray and yes, it worked. It had to be applied very often however. The mosquitos there were very very thick! Unfortunately, the sprayer-full didn't last long.

I liked it so much better than the chemical laden sprays sold in the stores! *Ü*