[PREP] Natural alternative to DEET?
- Thread starter Ought Six
- Start date
Jackpine Savage
Veteran Member
Read an article awhile back saying that oil derived from catnip was more effective that deet. I am wondering if that's whats in OFF Botanical.
Libertarian
Deceased
There is some really stinky yellow flower (marigold?) that I have seen planted around decks to keep the bloodsuckers away. Sorry I can't be more specific than that.
MinnesotaSmith
Membership Revoked
I occasionally visit a hiking site...
On a thread there about this subject, the consensus was that 30% DEET was the best thing going. Higher %ages were too hard to apply, while lower got bypassed.
One person mentioned that they liked catnip oil, while another liked something called "Bug Away" (at egeneralmedical.com/kb5077.html). Skin-So-Soft was considered worthless by everyone. Lemon eucalyptus was reported by several people to work well. Two people liked an insect repellent product called "Ben's", which is made by the New Hampshire-based Tender Corporation (www.tendercorp.com)
On a thread there about this subject, the consensus was that 30% DEET was the best thing going. Higher %ages were too hard to apply, while lower got bypassed.
One person mentioned that they liked catnip oil, while another liked something called "Bug Away" (at egeneralmedical.com/kb5077.html). Skin-So-Soft was considered worthless by everyone. Lemon eucalyptus was reported by several people to work well. Two people liked an insect repellent product called "Ben's", which is made by the New Hampshire-based Tender Corporation (www.tendercorp.com)
Ought Six
Membership Revoked
Thanks, everyone. I just moved into a new area, and the skeeters here are eating me alive. I will try the catnip oil. I do not mind using DEET once in a while, even though it is supposed to be carcinogenic. I do not want to bathe in the stuff daily, as I have been doing.
On the other hand, I will not take the chance of getting West Nile disease, a form of spongeform encephilitis. That particular form of brain rot eats holes in your gray matter, either leaving you with perment brain damage or just killing you outright. It is not a pretty way to go.
BTW, to relieve the itching and swelling of skeeter bites, I have found that a combination of tea tree oil and 1% hydrocortizone ointment works much better than either ingredient seperately.
On the other hand, I will not take the chance of getting West Nile disease, a form of spongeform encephilitis. That particular form of brain rot eats holes in your gray matter, either leaving you with perment brain damage or just killing you outright. It is not a pretty way to go.
BTW, to relieve the itching and swelling of skeeter bites, I have found that a combination of tea tree oil and 1% hydrocortizone ointment works much better than either ingredient seperately.
MinnesotaSmith
Membership Revoked
In the interest of completeness, I should mention one thing...
On that hiking site, multiple people noted that products with DEET were the ONLY things that made any difference. Also, there are some insects that DEET won't stop, so a head net may be needed.
Here are a couple of versions of head nets (the second one is for child carriers):
http://www.ems.com/products/product...avigation/subcategory.jsp&bmUID=1087995812749
http://www.ems.com/products/product...avigation/subcategory.jsp&bmUID=1087996101494
One version of DEET two guys liked a lot more than the usual stuff:
http://www.tendercorp.com/bens.html
Still, though, the consensus was if you just use Deep Woods Off, you're OK against most bugs most of the time.
On that hiking site, multiple people noted that products with DEET were the ONLY things that made any difference. Also, there are some insects that DEET won't stop, so a head net may be needed.
Here are a couple of versions of head nets (the second one is for child carriers):
http://www.ems.com/products/product...avigation/subcategory.jsp&bmUID=1087995812749
http://www.ems.com/products/product...avigation/subcategory.jsp&bmUID=1087996101494
One version of DEET two guys liked a lot more than the usual stuff:
http://www.tendercorp.com/bens.html
Still, though, the consensus was if you just use Deep Woods Off, you're OK against most bugs most of the time.
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Well as any good bear will tell ya if'n ya ask....roll in mud. Lots of thick gooey mud. dries to a shell that kind of moves with you and they can't get thru it.
Make sure you get it under your tail and on the tips of your ears.
Eating generous amounts of garlic seems to help too and a cigar does wonders if you keep it lit and the wind don't carry the smoke away too fast.
I lived down on the border of Texas and Louisiana for a few years and spent a lot of time in the swamps. Had times the skeeters were so thick they could drain you dry in an hour and I'd shoot holes in the clouds of them with a .22 to let the Sunlight in so I could see where I was going.
Glamethrower would have been nice.
Make sure you get it under your tail and on the tips of your ears.
Eating generous amounts of garlic seems to help too and a cigar does wonders if you keep it lit and the wind don't carry the smoke away too fast.
I lived down on the border of Texas and Louisiana for a few years and spent a lot of time in the swamps. Had times the skeeters were so thick they could drain you dry in an hour and I'd shoot holes in the clouds of them with a .22 to let the Sunlight in so I could see where I was going.
Glamethrower would have been nice.
ChainedLightning
Inactive
I use DEET products on my clothing but won't use them on my skin - and certainly won't use it on a toddler. I've found the Natrapel products work good
http://www.epinions.com/content_41471479428
CL
http://www.epinions.com/content_41471479428
CL
While camping one, time, forgot bug spray, and the mosquitos were picking us up by our ears and wedging us into trees to finish us off...the dogs, too!
Checked my plant book, an found that Vanilla Leaf, or Deer Foot (Achlys triphylla) had been used by the Indians to repel flies and mosquitos. Fortunately, there was tons of it growing around the camp, so I gathered a mess of leaves, squashed them into paste between 2 rocks, and slathered it on hounds and people.
Worked great! Mind you, we were -green-, but bug-free, and smelled nice, too....
Not sure if it grows outside the Pacific Northwest.
Checked my plant book, an found that Vanilla Leaf, or Deer Foot (Achlys triphylla) had been used by the Indians to repel flies and mosquitos. Fortunately, there was tons of it growing around the camp, so I gathered a mess of leaves, squashed them into paste between 2 rocks, and slathered it on hounds and people.
Worked great! Mind you, we were -green-, but bug-free, and smelled nice, too....
Not sure if it grows outside the Pacific Northwest.
Dean Miller
Archaic Member
A couple of sheets of Bounce hanging out of your pockets tends to keep them away.