Like the illusion of Wall Street, with its vast and powerful investment banks, now shuttered, China too is an illusion perpetuated by the Globalists that gave us the 15,000 mile Caesar salad, poisoned cat food and lead based paint on babies' pacifiers. Like the illusion that money would come from thin air to always push housing prices higher, China has spent a generation pursuing its illusion. Pursuing an unattainable dream to be like the West, while 6000 years of its carefully shepherded top soil blows into the sea.
Joined: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 1137 Location: Central Texas
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject: [Health] Insect Repellents
So what do you do when you can't buy petroleum-based insect repellents? Like OFF!.
After a web search using keywords "natural insect repellents', this reference came up:
These natural products will effectively repel mosquitoes, but they require more frequent reapplication (at least every 2 hours) and higher concentrations than DEET. Because of the differences between types of mosquitoes, products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient. As you can see, natural repellents tend to be volatile plant oils.
Another plant-derived substance, pyrethrum, is an insecticide. Pyrethrum comes from the flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium.
Keep in mind that 'natural' does not automatically imply 'safe'. Many people are sensitive to plant oils. Some natural insect repellents are actually toxic. Therefore, although natural repellents provide an alternative to synthetic chemicals, please remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
Rosemary will grow to several feet high.
Plant it or put a pot near the door to your home.
Give it a smack when you pass by, the aroma will help to drive away the mosquitos.
Fennel deters fleas
grab up the leaves, rub all over your legs or spread on the floor before sweeping. Steep, then add the tea to the mop water.
Aslo plant it all around the house.
Tansy and pennyroyal have advantages, can't locate my notes just now.
Tomato leaves can be steeped to make a tea used as a plant spray to deter leaf miners, fleas, leaf hoppers, aphids.
Garlic is magical. Eat lots of it, feed it to your dog. _________________ If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
-George Orwell, 1984
Joined: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 1137 Location: Central Texas
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
In the reference I gave above, there are quite a few good tips and tricks given.
As baha mentioned in his Mississippi Garden thread, when one is out in the garden weeding and harvesting that's where one needs the protection. A rosemary bush or two by the doors is a good idea though.
So the reference mentioned many plant oils. That would indicate the need for a mechanical press or other tool to extract the oil. I noticed cedar was mentioned. There's a lot of that around here. I'm thankful I'm not allergic to it! _________________ About my avatar: Guess.
Last edited by PeakOiler on Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:41 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
Citronela oil does not work at all. I think many of the oils listed don't do their job. We don't use mosquito repellents because they are toxic.
There are these mosquito coils, which may be toxic as well. There are long sleeved shirts and pants and mosquito nets around the bed.
What I found is relatively good is Aloe Vera. Both as a repellent and after a bite, all kinds of bites.
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 6625 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
Many of these "alternative" repellants don't work well.
The thing to use is anything containing DEET. Spray it on your clothes, not your skin.
DEET-containing products will be around for a long time. If you think the world will end tomorrow, stock up now. A little goes a long way.
I also highly recommend Buzz-Off clothing, which is impregnated with an alternative repellant that works very well. It's expensive, though, and after a year the repellant effect is pretty much gone.
Don't take chances with insect-borne diseases. _________________ "Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog
"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:04 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
The rain from Faye is finally over, got out in the yard to do some mosquito abatement.
Started with the propane fogger, does a nice job of killing those awful things, although it is a bit expensive. Ran a half quart through the thing at $11/quart, plus a fair amount of propane at $2.60/canister. I have lots of both on hand, OFF too.
Anything that had water in it was drained. If it could not be drained, bleach was added. Hacked down some tall weeds behind the greenhouse. Hauled off a pile of scrap lumber, did some mowing. Turned the compost heap.
After a prolonged storm, the moisture in the ground promotes plant growth. Standing water is an ideal environment for mosquito larvae. When the larvae develop into mosquitos, they can survive on the plants, sucking the juice from the leaves and stems. A good storm promotes mosquito populations which can explode within a week.
Insect repellents are all well and good. Denying the things an environment also has its place. _________________ If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
-George Orwell, 1984
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 6625 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
kpeavey, where I am, doing things like turning over buckets etc. has little impact, since mosquitoes breed in tree holes and I'm surrounded by thousands of trees. I go through the motions anyway, though.
Despite being in D2 drought we still have some mosquitoes this time of year. Overall our mosquito situation isn't too bad, though. For some mysterious reason. Maybe the birds and the bats keep their numbers down. We have many bats here, including some that spend the day under my window shutters. I will be putting up numerous bat boxes early next spring, to complement my three bluebird nest boxes! _________________ "Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog
"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother
Joined: Sep 16, 2004 Posts: 4933 Location: Southwest WI
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
I can vouch for eucalptyus oil... It works. I used it not long ago. My tube is a few years old and still kept the mosquitoes away... The biting flies weren't stopped. It kind of stinks. _________________ Clothing should be optional.
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 873 Location: Tustin, CA
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:09 am Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
My late father who got Malaria in 1943 while serving in the Navy in Panama always said, "Always sleep under Mosquito nets, that's when they'll get you"! _________________ Skeptical scrutiny in both Science and Religion is the means by which deep thoughts are winnowed from deep nonsense-Carl Sagan
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:47 am Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
SILENTTODD wrote:
My late father who got Malaria in 1943 while serving in the Navy in Panama always said, "Always sleep under Mosquito nets, that's when they'll get you"!
I took a look at the fabric section up at walmart. They have this stuff used for making puffy skirts that is ideal for use as mosquito netting. I have no idea what it is called. Comes in a roll 3' or 6' wide I believe. About 100 sqft/bed would go around the whole thing, offer some head room.
I fixed all the window screens in the old house a few weeks ago. _________________ If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
-George Orwell, 1984
Joined: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 1137 Location: Central Texas
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:34 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
kpeavey wrote:
I took a look at the fabric section up at walmart. They have this stuff used for making puffy skirts that is ideal for use as mosquito netting. I have no idea what it is called. Comes in a roll 3' or 6' wide I believe. About 100 sqft/bed would go around the whole thing, offer some head room.
I fixed all the window screens in the old house a few weeks ago.
Physical barriers are probably the best repellent, but what the canned stuff offers is convenience. I think I will try to press, grind or extract some of the items mentioned above like aloe vera, rosemary, and cedar. I have a lot of each of those plants. Put the extracts in a squirt bottle, spray a little on, and go tend the garden and see what happens... _________________ About my avatar: Guess.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
I managed to contract Lyme disease this summer. The infection can be cured with antibiotics, but my joints still hurt as a result of having it.
I could have used a tick repellent called permethrin, which is actually quite effective, although I'm almost positive its a petroleum derivative. I think that is the stuff Heineken is talking about, because it will stay on your clothing through several washes. The reason I didn't is because the stuff sounds rather nasty, but given the alternative, I would use it. Having all your joints hurt all the time is horrible. I'm in my mid twenties and I feel like an old man. If you live in an area with deer ticks, do everything you can to avoid them. Wear long sleeves, tuck them in, treat those clothes w/ permethrin and check yourself for ticks after being out in the field.
Joined: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 13191 Location: naive idiot fantasy world
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: [Health] Insect Repellents
kpeavey wrote:
They have this stuff used for making puffy skirts that is ideal for use as mosquito netting. I have no idea what it is called.
"Tulle" - it's the same material Heineken uses to protect his fruit trees from Japanese Beetles. _________________ "...powerdown so soft and fluffy you'll think you're living in a pillow." - jboogy
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