Hi,

Having read the threads about insect repellants with great interest on this site, I was intrigued by the Dettol / Baby Oil mix so I mentioned it to a friend of mine who uses homemade insect repellants on her horses (and herself) to stop the biting flies that plague them in the Summer. She says this mixture is very effective.

Perhaps some of the ingredients are worth considering in homemade potions.

To make 2 litres:

15mls Citronella Oil
15mls Eucalyptus Oil
2tbsp / 50mls Methylated Spirit
1tbsp / 25 mls Washing up liquid
4tbsp / 100mls Vinegar
1 mug of cold strong tea
Top up with cold water to make 2 litres.

I don't think you have to say any magic words but sitting cross legged, closing your eyes and humming softly can't hurt :-)

They use it in a spray bottle.

They also feed the horses garlic to help keep the flies at bay. Apparently it is secreted through the skin and they don't like it.

Anyone got any other homemade magic insect potions that come recommended? I want to make a few up and try them out in Scotland next spring. If they can keep the Scottish midge at bay then I think they should work on anything.

Andy.

P.S. If you try this out, it is obviously *entirely at your own risk*. Don't moan at me if you get a rash or have some allergic reaction!

Soybean oil has gotten alot of attention recently as an alternative mosquito repellent. Research seems to suggest is works better than

better than....?
better than.....what?

The suspense is almost too much to bear :-)

Andy.

heh sorry...
better than other herbal oil mixtures (including citronella):

http://aafp.org/afp/20021101/tips/1.html

Maybe add 40mls (2%) of soybean oil to your mixture?

There have been very positive tales about Avon cosmetics "skin so soft" moisturiser. I'd like to try it, but don't know if it's any specific product from that range...hand cream, moisturiser etc etc..

Will try the home brew though - thanks Andy
Neil

This link has something to say about the Avon stuff...

http://www.scotlandonline.com/outdoo...ws_type_id=640

and this link has the results of the comparison study it mentions..

http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/IPM/Landsca...Repellents.htm

Seems that Citronella based potions are not so hot as Soybean oil based ones.

Maybe see you at the rally in July?

Cheers Andy.

If ever in East Africa, the branches of the small bushes that lions lie under are a natural insecticide. They are about 1 meter-2 meters high, many offshoot branches from ground level, and have green leaves witha gold rusty sort of spore/dust on them.

Obviously there is also pyrethrium if if are in the area, (small white flowers) any of these simply tied to door entrances, above roof hatches, makes a shade and elementary insect repelant.

Cheers G

If you make a solution of garlic and vinegar in regular water, and spray it on your kit, absolutely all evil flying beasties will stay away from you.

It works very well against insects, but unfortunately has pretty much the same repellent effect on most people.

Well, you win some...

Happy Riding.

In northern climates. rubbing or hanging crushed elder leaves works

I've read that mossies don't like bitter tasting blood so they suggest eating chicory,endive,radichio type foods. Vitamin B1 is also considered a deterent as the excess is excreted through the skin, producing an odour that is repellent to mosquitoes, but is undetectable to the ladies (or gents), so won't ruin your sex life....

Rod

The first one works well. You can't feel the mozzies biting you with a lion chewing your leg !

The source I used said vitamin B1 is good as the mossies don't like the smell on your skin. If memory serves me right Marmite is full of B vitamins/thiamin so maybe a spoonfull of Marmite each day would do the job. Haven't tried it yet thought so an unproven theory.......not sure that Vegemite would work the same..!

Rod

Only really got experience with UK beasties mainly the dreaded horsefly and midge in scotland.

Garlic does work to some degree as we used it with horses as well, also will work on people.

Crushed chillies will also work. Either open them up and rub the juice on your skin or blend with an essential oil base. They will give a mild tingle like tiger balm on your skin and i have found rubbing them on temples has helped with headaches. DO NOT get this stuff in eyes, up nose[no picking] or any where near your underpants. Any woman/man you meet will be very unhappy if you dont wash it off before going near her/him unless they have very strange tastes.[ I got a 3 week ban for that one]

Chest rub [vix, olbas oil ect]has alot of the stuff thats in the natural based spray so also works to some degree.

Theres some new stuff thats on the market based on not killing beasties/keeping them away but not attracting them in the first place by masking your scent/ exhaled breath. Some people apparently can do this naturally.

Tried most the over the counter stuff from essential oils to chemical based ones only jungle formula or deet based stuff really worked and even then i still got eaten as you do have to keep applying it when in rain ect even if its says its wash proof. Cover up is the best bet and there are also clothes with insecticide in them.

The one thing that really worked for me was to smoke but this is not a healthy option. Incense will work in your tent if you dont have any of those insect coils. It can also be kept with your clothes to make them smell nice.

just remember that strong smells also attract larger animals so be careful what you smell of when in the boonies there may be some garlic loving bears out there who wont pass up on a pre-basted human. Perfumes, body sprays and aftershaves can also have an effect on animals and woman with their periods can also attract animals or change their behaviour.

For total saftey while camping out make your wife sleep at least 100 metres from your camp when she has her period. This will draw any large predators away from you and your food and generally make your stay more pleasant. Note that hanging her from a tree, burying her and sealing her in air tight plastic bags may be considered illegal.

illegal depending on which country you are camping

__________________

Ride

Safe,

Sober,

& Save!

"man without beard is like porridge without salt": Ned Kelly

'or total saftey while camping out make your wife sleep at least 100 metres from your camp when she has her period. This will draw any large predators away from you and your food and generally make your stay more pleasant. Note that hanging her from a tree, burying her and sealing her in air tight plastic bags may be considered'

Fantastic solution to a very real problem! Though you must remember, flies and bugs and other nasties don't like nagging any more than you do, so a woman close by can be considered a positive boon in insect repellence.

Happy Riding.