Natural insect repellents

I hate putting chemicals on my skin, but also hate covering up to hide from the seasonal mosquitos. I have largely poo-pooed natural insect repellents, because I've tried some on my horse and they don't seem to work well, or long.

However I did some research and apparently there are some studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine that say that some natural insect repellents actually ARE effective. Some are even more effective than DEET. One is even recommended by the CDC against mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile virus:

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/aznaturalremedyindex/a/mosquito.htm

Has anyone tried any of these?

Merry

Merry:

Funny you should bring this up. Just yesterday, I was checking out Amazon for insect repellant wipes in preparation for our upcoming Mexico trip. We particularly like the wipes in individual packets since they are so handy when we find ourselves out for dinner having failed to spray ourselves. Neither of us are what you would consider "mosquito magnets" but our lower legs seem to attract bites especially during dinner in restaurants near the Lake. Have always used the DEET variety but I was curious about the natural variety. I am now thinking of purchasing both for personal tests. Won't be able to report until after our trip.

CheenaGringo wrote:Merry:

Funny you should bring this up. Just yesterday, I was checking out Amazon for insect repellant wipes in preparation for our upcoming Mexico trip. We particularly like the wipes in individual packets since they are so handy when we find ourselves out for dinner having failed to spray ourselves. Neither of us are what you would consider "mosquito magnets" but our lower legs seem to attract bites especially during dinner in restaurants near the Lake. Have always used the DEET variety but I was curious about the natural variety. I am now thinking of purchasing both for personal tests. Won't be able to report until after our trip.

Most excellent, Cheena. I too use bug spray just on feet during the rainy season (hmm, might be a reason those Canadians wear socks with sandals, eh CBob?).

Let us know your results!
Merry

Merry, Check out "Autan", available in locion or cream. Good for up to 8 hours. I know it does not contain deet. We have had success with skin so soft as well.

CheenaGringo wrote: Neither of us are what you would consider "mosquito magnets" but our lower legs seem to attract bites especially during dinner in restaurants near the Lake.

Try wearing" big boy" pants when you go out to dinner Niel.

Recently read an article on 1 million uses for fabric softener sheets.
One of the uses was as a mosquito repellent and they said it actually works.
Told my wife, who is a magnet, and she tried it when we got back here.
Seems to work for her.
You smell fresh and clean after using too!

Chris:

Thank you for the "big boy" pants comment! But I have a rule that March 1st to November 1st, it is shorts!

I am going to find and test "Repel". Merry, does your post suggest a bug problem south Lakeside ? Curious.

Mosquitos love me. I find that the Autan is only good for a few hours and Repel, either lotion or spray, is by far the most effective for me, lasting all day.

It has received very good ratings on Amazon. I purchased a 4oz pump bottle for ~$9 with free shipping (I have Prime.) Now watch me forget it for our August trip down!!

quiltbugj:

Same place and method we are getting ours but we will be bringing the wipes in August. Our testing will be conducted in numerous Mexican States just in case they offer differing flavors of mosquitoes.

CheenaGringo:

We could do a side by side comparison! We're hoping the August Swarm will take place while we are there!

quiltbugj:

Interesting idea but even on the few nights we will be spending at Lake Chapala, our days are booked solid away from the Lake. We are covering about 2500 - 2700 miles in 16 days, so swarms are most likely out for us.

The Off clip on fans work well and nothing to rub on your skin. I have seen them lakeside but not recently. I picked up a few NoB last week and tested one out last night and tonight and am pleased. No odour, no sound and no bites. I clip it on my belt when gardening/walking etc, or lay it on the chaise lounge beside me when outside relaxing.

So Kudos for the "Off clip"? Any of these chemicals that won't end up touching your skin is a plus.

I tested it again tonight sitting on my terrace watching the storm that wasn't. Not a single nibble.
The directions do say to keep it away from food and beverages and I would try not to inhale the thing obviously. There is no smell and nothing on your skin and it seems to work great.

The next test is how long each refill lasts. The package says ten hours cumulative and a max of 14 days. I will be using it nightly until it expires and will report back.
Ah the luxury of retirement and time to monitor things like mosquito repellents!

I was putting together my Amazon shopping list today and ran across some new (to me) natural mosquito repellents:
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Recently tried lavender oil (concentrate) to ward off biting midges (no-see-ums) and perhaps mosquitos. No bites since I began putting drops of the oil on my hands and ankles, refreshing at dawn and dusk. Occasionally one lands but does not bite. Nothing else has been as effective. Prior to using the lavender oil, I was carrying locoid cream in my pocket to relieve the burning bites.

I have found the yellow wrist bands here at the dollar store for around 10 pesos (and for 99 cents NoB) and they work ok. I put them around my ankles to get the leg biters.

Manymoons do you make your own lavender oil?

If you have the time and space Neem might be an answer ... or simply figure out where to buy the product(s). I have a mosquito free area under my largest tree


http://sparksmex.blogspot.mx/2012/05/flowering-neem.html

Grizzy wrote:I have found the yellow wrist bands here at the dollar store for around 10 pesos (and for 99 cents NoB) and they work ok. I put them around my ankles to get the leg biters.

Manymoons do you make your own lavender oil?

Do they get you into all inclusive resorts ( wrist bands )

Thanks sparks. Didn't know you had a blog/website. Why be shy. We all need good info. Just bookmarked it and will delve in later. How do you create this mossie free zone under this tree ? Is it a Neem tree? I do know that there are a lot of neem bassed products on the market - creams, salves, ingestables, etc.

My workers were using a 55 gallon drum under the neem for water to mix cement and one of them noticed there were no mossie larva in that water while any other standing water in the yard was full of them. Favorite place for my dog as well. Maybe the smell?