Garlic for Mosquitos?

Tis the season for bug bites...I don't know what's in my blood but mosquitos treat me like their own personal buffet.

I'm not a fan of DEET so have been looking for a more natural or a DIY concoction to repel these buggers.

I've heard of everything from garlic to eucalyptus oil.

Does anyone have a tried and true home made, natural recipe to keep these little b*^^ds away from me?????

http://www.thefrugallife.com/mosquitoes.html

I received this email yesterday for the cost of Listerine I'm going to give it a try.

The best way of getting rid of mosquitoes is Listerine, the original medicinal type. The Dollar Store-type works, too. I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared.

The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby. During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....


FRIEND'S COMMENTS:

I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors. It works in fact, it killed them instantly. I bought my bottle from Target and it cost me $1.89. It really doesn't take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not as expensive to use as the can of spray you buy that doesn't last 30 minutes. So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days.

Don't spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray around the frame. Spray around the window frames, and even inside the dog house if you have one.

Also can be used to dab any bites you receive. It will stop the itching quicker and go away faster.

They don't seem to attack me much...I'm told "Skin So Soft" keeps them at bay... The Garlic pills are supposed to work because you expell the the garlic through your skin....I prefer Scotch Whiskey... an nip a day keeps them away!

(the ladder isn't proven...but if you drink enough, you won't feel them biting, thats for sure)

Snopes is your friend - use it always before passing along forwarded emails . . .

http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/dishsoap.asp

Thanks for that info!

# If you're using the barbeque, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitos.
# An effective natural bug repellent, mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to 5 - 6 hours. Strips of cotton cloth can also be dipped in this mixture and hung in areas, such as patios, as a localized deterrent.
# Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound which has effective mosquito repelling properties. Neem oil is a natural product and is safe to use. Look for new Neem Oil-based commercial products on the market.
# Planting marigolds around your yard works as a natural bug repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance bugs and flying insects do not like.
# Campers often report that the very best mosquito repellent is Avon Skin-So-Soft® bath oil mixed half and half with rubbing alcohol.

Anyone have any comments on this?

Might I ask why you're not a fan of DEET?

I have tried the Skin so soft, its ok but a tad greasy and if you get it on your clothes you wont get the stains out!
Off Skintastic is ok but you will still get bites! I have no 100% cure. I do have citronela plants on my deck and it does help! I was also told you can take a leaf off and rub it on your skin to keep them away! Havent tried it yet but prolly will this weekend!

Just heard some percentages....a product with 20% DEET is safe for adults yet only 10% DEET is safe for kids. That suggests that it must have some side effects to it.....

All the other combinations of eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, citronella, etc. (from what I read on my websearch) just masks the human smell that attracts the mosquitoes in the first place. So you can spray your clothes or a bandana around your neck. It just confuses them for about 30 minutes but all of it has to be reapplied often.

Rye...just not a fan of harsh chemicals.

Looking for something I can put on my dogs, etc.

Also was hoping for some ideas for the property....marigolds and citronella just don't seem to be doing the trick to keep them away

Good research cking, I've often wondered why the childrens stuff is lower in DEET content. There has to be side effects that adult bodies can filter out. My boy is a buffet and he swells up like nobody's business.

More on the deet factor...

http://www.dukemednews.duke.edu/news/healthtip.php?id=5656

jjgrinder wrote:

Rye...just not a fan of harsh chemicals.

Looking for something I can put on my dogs, etc.

Also was hoping for some ideas for the property....marigolds and citronella just don't seem to be doing the trick to keep them away

"Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound which has effective mosquito repelling properties."

The spray I got at the health food store has neem extract and eucalyptus and lavender, rosemary etc.
Mud..my 4 year old granddaughter is the same. She has 8 bites; her sister has none. And her bites get so inflamed and itchy, it's scary! BUT she is the one with the peanut allergy so she is probably a bit allergic to their sting.

I find Vicks Vaporub to be helpful after the bites. But I recently read it might repel as well??

Pretty frightening article, Jonas.