Mosquito Repellent Recipe

[Jenny]

I mentioned awhile ago in the Gardening topic that I'd give my recipe for mosquito repellent. Every day I tell myself that I need to dig out my recipe and post it. Then the evening comes and goes and I forget about it. I promise to do it. But it's late and, again, I forgot about it.

He's the basic idea, though. I don't think the measurements are at all important, but I'll find my recipe and post it soon. There are lots of plants that can be used. Mainly you just want VERY, VERY BITTER herbs that are NOT poisonous. There are many that are so bitter you wouldn't want to eat them, but they wouldn't hurt you if you did. Anything that goes on your skin can be absorbed into your system, so be careful what you put on your skin. That goes for soaps, creams, etc. But for now, we're just talking about mosquito repellent.

Choose your plants ----- about 3 or 4 main ones, and one or two more aromatic ones in smaller quantities if you like. Chop them up well. Cover with oil. I use olive oil, even for this. Just don't like all the chemicals used to process other oils. Then heat it very slowly for AT LEAST a few hours. A few DAYS is better. Best to just put it on the coolest part of your woodstove, or in the warming oven. Could set it in a pan of water --- say in a double boiler or something ---- on the stove, or an oil heating stove. Won't hurt to leave it awhile. If you just have an electric stove, you won't want to leave it so long. Just turn the heat down low, stir occassionally. Make sure you don't get it so hot that your herbs fry . You do want as much moisture as possible to evaporate, though. Otherwise it will collect in the bottom of your finished bottles. Don't know how well it will keep. Doesn't look as nice if there's water in it.

When you think it's ready, take it off the stove to cool enough to handle easily. Strain. A cheesecloth or jelly bag works great. A clean tee shirt. Even a tea strainer will do. Squeeze it out, if you like. If you squeeze, or use a tea strainer, you'll have residue in the bottom. Won't hurt anything. For gifts, I try to have it clear and pretty, though. ( Yes, I do give mosquito repellent as gifts ;D

Here's what I use: (whole plant, and even roots if you have a very large supply )

about 2 cups chopped Buckbean
about 1 cup chopped Yarrow
about 1 cup chopped Wormwood
about 1/4 cup chopped Labradore Tea
I think that's it. If not, I'll post a correction. Didn't remember it until I started typing it

We gave away LOTS and LOTS of it last year. Everyone who used it said pretty much the same thing. It works great ! ! ! Not quite as good as DEET, but not poisonous, either. It is oil based, so stays on good. It does have to be applied more often than deet products. That's the main thing. But, IT DOES WORK ;D HOORAY ;D One family here who have a farmer's market during the summer said they just LOVE it. They always had to be soooo careful when they used deet mosquito repellents while in the garden/fields so they didnt' get it on plants they sold as food. I'll sure make more for them next year.

Lots of other plants can be used. That's just what I've found works for us, and it's what we have lots of. I have a list of other plants that grow around here that are good to use. Some probably grow in other parts of the country, as well. You can also buy essential oils.

I'd love to hear what works for other folks!

Jenny
Alaska HOMESTEADING Journal

[sundew]

Do the plants have to be fresh or could they be purchased dry?
Sounds a lot better than Citronella for sure.
I like the smell of lavender tea.
I've taken sprigs of Elder and put behind my ear and squished the leaves on shirt for the spring flies. The bad smell gets to me after a while-lol

If I can use dried, it will get made up as I have the little swimming things in my outdoor tubs of water all ready!
to eat me up
sundew

[Jenny]

I've heard you can use dried herbs, but I've never tried it. If I have some dried wormwood left over by the time new plants start growing this summer, I'll try making some salve out of it. It's great on "fish finger". That's when you're picking fish out of the net, or cleaning fish, and you get poked by fins and teeth. It gets inflamed and painful very fast. Wormwood helps for that. Anyway, I'll try it. But, sounds like you will need it before then. You could try a little and let me know how it works.

Never tried Lavender, although I've heard it keeps the bugs away. The smell of it makes my husband nauseated, and smells so sweet that it would probably attract bears. Don't want to trade the bugs and my husband for bear ;D Don't know how lavender tastes.

Be careful when you buy herbs. They aren't always what they are labeled. I heard awhile back about a company that makes tinctures. They don't do identification tests on the herbs they purchase. They thought they were marketing plantain when it was really foxglove. Don't know if anyone died, but it sure made the news and lots of people were sick and had cardiac problems from it.

Just going to the health food store and getting their suggestions is not necessarily a safe thing to do, although they can be an excellent resource. Frontier Herb and Spice does tests for ID and many chemicals on all the herbs they purchase for resale or to make tinctures and such. Very good company. Not the cheapest, but on of the few I'll trust when I buy herbs that I can't grow or gather. I'll post some links. Eclectic Institute is also supposed to be good. I've purchased some tinctures. I know we're talking about something that will go ON you skin, and not in your mouth, but you still want to make sure you getting what you think your getting.

Before you order a bunch of dried herbs, you may want to buy or dry a small amt. of something you know should work for something, and making an oil or salve. See how it does. If it works, try ordering what you need for mosquito repellent. Also, you sure don't have to use those quantities I gave above. You could make way less to see if it will work for you.

Have fun!

Jenny

[sundew]

I meant Labrador tea. I love the smell of the plant-guess I wasn't paying attention!.

That is a huge difference-plantain & foxglove; not even similar. Sure woke up my head in the sand-lol Makes me wonder just what is in my herb pills that I take. Perhaps my milk thistle is my current physical problem. Boy, my head been in the sand way to long and as I look around now, it is a weird world out there.
Sure am glad that my Father takes care of me.

Will have to google the Frontier Herb. Sounds like they go the extra mile to insure the best they can do. Hey, ya know what, Last week I got a pound of sweet basil that has Frontier Herb label. Got it for $1.00. All sealed in silver bag. Just dawned on me. I now have their address! Guess I've been pointed in the right direction www. frontiercoop.com is on the label. Wonder if that is the same company you were talking about. hmmmm.
I won't make up your amount, it is only me so will cut it and give extra to my small circle of friends.

Thanks Jenny give your little precious ones an extra hug and butterfly kisses ya hear!
sundew

[Jenny]

I thought you really meant Lavender because it is soupposed to be very good at keeping bugs away. Sounds like you got a GREAT deal on that basil. Frontier does package most of their spices in silver bags. Sounds like them. They are sort of a coop.

The more I learn about anything store-bought, the more I just don't want to buy ANYTHING. I know this is off the subject, but it seems like everything is just about profits. Never mind if the junk they're selling will kill folks! Well, I won't go on about that here. Instead, I just need to start posting my recipes for toothpaste, deoderant, and get some threads started about soaps and such. That would be more productive, anyway.

Jenny
Alaska HOMESTEADING Journal

[Jenny]

OK, I know it isn't bug season yet, but I just saw this thread again and wanted to make a post about something I discovered last summer. WILD CHIVES ! ! ! They are WONDERFUL! Not only are they so delicious to eat, cooked or raw, they make a decent bug repellent. As a test, I rubbed some on one of my hands last summer, and they really helped keep the mosquitoes from biting that hand. So, I chopped some up into a little pan, covered it with oil, put it on the warming shelf of my cookstove for a few days, strained it, then poured it into a squirt bottle.

Only one problem. It makes you smell like a big onion ring. I don't mind using it around the yard, but I don't want the bears thinking they've been invited for lunch, either. ;D So, I guess I should make a disclaimer here. "The information presented here is for information purposes only. Do not use without consulting a professional specializing in the eating habits of bears. The author accepts no responsibility for injuries that may occur as a result of using chive mosquito oil. Use at your own risk." How's that?

Jenny

[wolfwoman]

ROFLMAO!!! That was just too funny. I've also heard that marigold is good for most bugs when planted in the garden, but not sure about rubbing it on skin. Might have to try it this spring.

Wolfie

[Jenny]

I have planted marigolds in the garden many times, but don't always have the space. It seems to be very helpful in keeping bad bugs away from plants. Never thought about rubbing them on me. Would certainly be better than onion rings ;D

Jenny

[idaholady]

Marigold contains a natural poison.......you will find it in most products you wash your pets in....it kills fleas and repells ticks.....recently my grandkids came to grandma's with head lice......no problem for me.......now my dog and I smell alike........well I ain't gonna sniff where he does..........but the point is.....it is much safer than malathion which is a componant of diazanon.....it is natural and it kills head lice quite nicely...........thank YOU......My eldest son wound up shaving his head to rid him self of the pesky little critters.........I have long red hair and I don't think that "do" would suit me at all......
Hugs
Ida

[Terri]

I heard an interesting idea for a mosquito trap. The mosquito season is past for us, but I might try it next year to keep the house clear.

Basically, you cut the top off of a plastic pop bottle.

In the bottom part mix water, sugar and yeast.

Put the top in so that the opening points inward, and tape the edges securely so that the hole is the ONLY way in and out

Basically, the mosquitos go in because of the CO2, and cannot find their way out again.

[Jenny]

Terri, that's really interesting. I'll try to remember it for next year. Maybe I'll put a trap just outside the outhouse! Last spring, Chuck made a bunch of swallow houses. We only had a few take up residence here, but it was enough to keep the bug population way down. This was the first year we didn't have to wear mosquito head nets outside. Also, we usually have to put nets over the beds, but didn't have to this year. The last few weeks we've seen a few bats, so even though the swallows have moved on, we still don't have bugs! Haven't even seen too many white socks or noseeums (sp). This is a major wonderful thing for us, as this is the most horrible place for bugs that either Chuck or I have ever lived.

[lacyj]

Cool Home Made Mosquite Trap


Cool Home Made Mosquite Trap

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23 May 2006
Quick and Dirty Mosquito Trap
Posted May 23rd 2006 by Sam Garfield in Instructional

Update: I have contacted our Chinese speaking DIY:happy operative Shana from iRocks for a more accurate translation. Turns out I was way off, so check out the updated and translated instructions.

How to build a Mosquito trap.

Materials Needed:

2000ml (2 liter) bottle
50 gram (brown?) sugar
1 gram yeast
Thermometer
Measure cup
Knife
Black paper


1. Cut the top of the bottle as shown

2. Put 200ml hot water in the bottle, stir with 50gram brown sugar. Put the sugar water in cold water to cool it down til 40C (temperature).

They use a bigger container with cold water - put the small cup that they use to make sugar water in that container and that stick is a thermometer because they want the sugar water to cool down to 40C (temperature).

3. After cooling down, put the sugar water in the bottle then add the yeast.
No need to mix the yeast with the sugar water. When yeast ferments, it creates carbon dioxide.


4. When you cut the bottle, dont throw the top part away because that’d be needed for step 4 - you see they put the top upside down to fit into the bottle.

Carbon dioxide will be released from where we drink the bottle so make sure to seal the edge.

5. Put black paper around the bottle since mosquitos like dark places and carbon dioxide. This mosquito trap will then start working.
Mosquitos fly around the corner, so the best place to place the trap is at some dark corner.

TIPS: Put the trap in some dark and humid place for 2 weeks, you’ll see the effect. You’ll have to replace the sugar water + yeast solution every 2 weeks.

Here’s a link to the original Flickr photos.

Update: The idea is apparently from a school class in Taiwan. They invented the trap through trial and error. Here is a link to the class’s website.

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www.diyhappy.com/quick-and-dirty-mosquito-trap/

low bandwith.

Yeast, it's good for so many things.