Bugs, any herbal way to help?

[Merlyn]

For me a simple bug repellent works fine,
However my wife seems to need a bombardment of stuff that is heavy in perfume to keep bugs from bugging her.
So either she can't go out or she does but I can't get near her as the perfume drives my allergies nuts.

Is there a safe herbal way to help her keep the bugs away?

Thanks, in advance.
Merlyn

[Teileag]

I use citronella oil and it seems to work very well with all my family...

[Corwen]

I don't think anything is 100%, and some people are bitten a lot more than others. Covering up is the only certain way to avoid them, but who wants to wear a mosquito head net the whole time!

The smell of some foods on a person are known to attract and repel insects. Smudge works well too.

[Nightfalls]

i have seen some natural bug repellents. Just make sure she does not take a bath in it. you only need a light layer during the daytime, if any at all. We have ridiculous amounts of mosquitoes here so we make sure we are well covered before sundown at work.

[Merlyn]

I am not sure if blood type plays a role, but like my wife, some people attract mosquitoes and such more than others.
If she is with me, I don't get bit, but they are all over her.

Trouble came when she uses a high perfume, skin-so-soft product. She took a nap on my side of the bed, using my pillow.
I went to sleep, and I did smell the perfume, but didn't think much of it. Then I awoke later in the night having an attack of alergies which kept me up all night long.

I use the skin-so-soft sun-block, lightly that has no perfume and have no problem with bugs. This product however does nothing for her.

This product;
http://www.amazon.com/Burts-Bees-Herbal ... B000CSWMCE
Works for her, but also is high in perfume. Stinks to all around.

I find these:
http://www.vitacost.com/Nutritek-Nutri- ... 2605001335
http://www.amazon.com/Cutter-Skinsation ... B003G7Q54Y
http://www.benmeadows.com/store/Persona ... CID=9OP001
http://walking.about.com/od/suncare/gr/ ... vanced.htm
and this forum to browse,
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load ... 24068.html

On a quick search.

[Jingle]

It depends upon what you're allergic too.

When we were in St. Martin, a guy on the island suggested geranium oil (essential oil) a little drop on each wrist and behind the knees does it. But if you hate the smell of geranium oil, that won't help.

I don't think Skin so Soft bug stuff has DEET in it, but you can check the label to see what might be in it that you're allergic to.

I have recently started using the products from A Natural Alternative
I only use her soaps, and I love the Bug-Off bar (which is more like a 1" diameter lip balm than a bar). But you have to check to see if anything in it is something you know you're allergic to. I don't find the fragrance as overwhelming as geranium oil, and since the "bar" is like a cocoa butter/beeswax lotion, it feels good on the skin, too.

Bug Off Lotion Bar: $4.00

Fragrance Description: A blend of essential oils that keeps away the insects.
Ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Beeswax, Citronella Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Lemon Eucalyptus Oil, Catnip Oil, Peppermint Oil, Orange Oil, Litsea Cubea Oil, Menthol

Additional Information: Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus, steam distilled grass, Java Type, China) Slightly sweet, powerful and lemony scent. Its most useful quality seems to be as an insect repellant and may also help pets get rid of fleas. Also known to clear the mind .Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuous stapf/citrates, Guatemala) Sweet, herbaceous, smoky and lemony aroma. Stimulates the mind, lifts the spirit, clears the head. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus, steam distilled leaf, China) Commonly known as blue gum. Its scent is camphorous with a woody sweet undertone. Aids concentration. Catnip (Nepeta cataria USA) Catnip, is an effective insect repellent, according to Iowa State University scientists. Nepetalactone, which gives catnip its odor, was found to be 10 times more effective than the popular insect repellent diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). DEET is a chemical that some users find causes rashes, swelling and eye irritation. Peppermint (Mentha piperita, steam distilled leaf, U.S.A.). Strongly piercing, refreshing, minty, very herbaceous aroma. Helps people become clear headed and refreshes the spirits. Orange (Citrus sinensis var. dulcis, cold pressed peel, U.S.A.). Sweet Orange essential oil has a sweet citrus fragrance. It is calming. Litsea Cubea (a/k/a May Chang, Litsea citrata and tropical verbena, steam distilled fruit, China) Despite these names, it is not related to lemon verbena but belongs to the same family as the rosewood or cinnamon tree. Sweet, spicy and citrus fragrance with vegetative notes. Insecticide. Very uplifting and stimulating. Menthol (Mentha arvensis, steam distilled) These are clear, colorless, needle-like crystals with odor resembling that of peppermint. Menthol is the solid constituent of oil of peppermint, and was formerly known as peppermint camphor.

[Merlyn]

Hi Jingle,
I once wasn't really allergic to anything, but now I am.
Fun with age I guess.

Potpourri, for example will give me a headache. So I am guessing any floral fragrance that is strong is causing me a problem.
If it is mild, it's no big deal for me, but if it is in my bed while I am sleeping, then big trouble. So my wife and I have a problem, obviously with perfumes.

Strange as it might seem, more common allergens don't bother me nearly as much, like pollen, mould & such, as they bother my son.

[kytty]

Hi Merlyn
It might be worth you trying Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent. It can be effective for some.
a quick google search will give pros/cons. its available in target and wal-mart stores and hopefully it won't upset you.
kytty

[skydove]

For mosquitoes, eat garlic or marmite (yeast extract) seemingly they don't like the smell/taste.
Here's a recipe for insect repellant I came across thats quite simple using essential oils in 4 tablespoons almond or other vegetable oil base
6 drops of eucalyptus
5 drops cedar
4 drops lavender
3 drops tea tree
3 drops citronella
3 drops lemongrass, lemon or lemon thyme
2 drops peppermint
Combine together in a preferably brown glass jar. Apply as often as needed, don't take internally keep away from eyes and nose particularly of infants or toddlers ( maybe don't use on small children).

[Zylah]

I was going to suggest a heavily diluted tea tree oil; it's actually recommended in slightly heavier concentration for horses as a natural insect repellent, but of course that's potent stuff, so it must be used very sparingly. I know how miserable allergies can be, and I also understand the misery of bug bites (especially when they come in swarms!). So best of luck and every blessing in finding a solution for you both

[Lailoken]

I wouldn't recommend using lemon oil in a bug repellent as photosensitization can occur. Besides, it's not a known topical bug repellent as far as I know, although using it or Orange oil in water to wash floors keeps bugs away. Lemongrass would be a better choice. When you start combining a large amount of oils, many tend to counteract others, while some have the same properties, giving your blend overkill (and not in an effective way). The use of 3 oils (4 tops) will give you the results you want.

15mL carrier oil (I like Almond oil)
2 drops Tea-Tree
2 drops White Camphor - may anti-dote homeopathic remedies
1 drop Clove Bud

Because you would be using this on your face as well as your body, and would reapply throughout the day (assuming you'd be outside most of the day) the amount of oils in this blend are suitable for a face cream treatment. I'm basically erring on the side of caution. It may or may not be potent enough for you. If that's the case, you can double the amounts of the essential oils while keeping the amount of carrier oil the same.

If you are using homeopathic remedies or encounter sensitivity to White Camphor, you can substitute with 3 drops Lemongrass

I read a study suggesting mosquitoes are attracted to people that are vitamin E deficient. If this is indeed true, I wonder if adding vitamin E oil to the blend would give it an added boost. If you want to experiment, you can add 5mL of vitamin E oil to the blend.

Important note - this blend is not suitable for children under the age of 8.

Almost forgot - once you find the blend that works best for you, you can make a large batch. Just make sure your jar is amber or cobalt blue glass and store in a cool, dry place.

[Zylah]

I wouldn't recommend using lemon oil in a bug repellent as photosensitization can occur. Besides, it's not a known insecticide as far as I know, although using it or Orange oil in water to wash floors keeps bugs away. Lemongrass would be a better choice. When you start combining a large amount of oils, many tend to counteract others, while some have the same properties, giving your blend overkill (and not in an effective way). The use of 3 oils (4 tops) will give you the results you want.

15mL carrier oil (I like Almond oil)
2 drops Tea-Tree
2 drops White Camphor - may anti-dote homeopathic remedies
1 drop Clove Bud

Because you would be using this on your face as well as your body, and would reapply throughout the day (assuming you'd be outside most of the day) the amount of oils in this blend are suitable for a face cream treatment. I'm basically erring on the side of caution. It may or may not be potent enough for you. If that's the case, you can double the amounts of the essential oils while keeping the amount of carrier oil the same.

If you are using homeopathic remedies or encounter sensitivity to White Camphor, you can substitute with 3 drops Lemongrass

I read a study suggesting mosquitoes are attracted to people that are vitamin E deficient. If this is indeed true, I wonder if adding vitamin E oil to the blend would give it an added boost. If you want to experiment, you can add 5mL of vitamin E oil to the blend.

Important note - this blend is not suitable for children under the age of 8.

Almost forgot - once you find the blend that works best for you, you can make a large batch. Just make sure your jar is amber or cobalt blue glass and store in a cool, dry place.

I'm not the one who started the thread, and normally I don't get attacked by bugs all that much; but thanks for posting this! I intend to try it myself, after this afternoon's not-so-happy session of being microscopically eaten and sucked dry. Thanks again

[Lailoken]

I normally don't get attacked myself, but this new place I moved to is surrounded by trees, so there are more bugs around. When I'm walking the dog at night I'm wearing shorts and sandals, and now I tend to wake up in the morning with bites on my feet and ankles. I'll be making good use of this blend. We also having flying tree roaches here (shudder) and they like to visit me on my balcony at night. I'm going to experiment and see how effective the Orange oil in water is for outdoor use.

[Aitrus]

When out camping I put a few sprigs of fresh Cedar boughs in my tent to keep out the bugs. I also notice that it's usually pretty mosquito and fly free in cedar groves.

I also plant White Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) around my house to keep the bugs away. Most people think it's a weed, but I like it's look and texture amongst my other herbs and plants. You can also crush the leaves and rub them on your skin as a topical mosquito repellant, or burn them for the same effect as a smoke. Many other uses for Yarro as well...topical Novocaine-like uses in the mouth, staunches bleeding, drunk as a tea to ease PMS cramping, as an astringent...

Be careful with Yarrow, however. In some people it can cause rashes when applied to wet or sweaty skin.

[Lailoken]

Instead of going through my recipe book, I decided to save myself time since I was already on the computer and look up my bug-repellent recipe on here as I needed to make myself a batch. I mis-wrote something, and forgot to add 2 things. I'll blame the fact that I posted it at 12am.

Instead of 15mL of oil, use 50ml of creme base (unless you're in a very dry climate then the oil might feel very nice).
If you want to make a spray, use 250mL of distilled water. If so, you need to add the oils in a few mLs of glycerin. Stir well. Add the mixture to the water. Shake well.
You can use 2 drops Basil instead of Tea-Tree, Basil being ideal.

Sorry