Is it possible to make insect repellent?
Question:I do volunteer work with th ehomeless people and my group was wondering if we could actually make insect repellent to help keep off the mosquitos for them?
Answers:
The CDC says " oil of lemon eucalyptus provides protection time "similar to low-concentration DEET products in two recent studies."
Iowa State U. researches have reported that an essential oil found in catnip (Nepetalactone)
is more effectivethan DEET. (Organic Gardening Aug/Sept '06)
Cinnamon oil shows promise as an environmentally friendly pesticide, killing mosquito larvae more effectively than DEET.
Rub Lemon balm leaves over yourself & your clothing to repel mosquitos.
yes, baking soda mixed with a solution of vinegar and jalapeno peppers mixed with water and sprayed on skin.
Unfortunately the only stuff that works significantly is anything that contains DEET. I don't think the average person can just run out and get that.
Just FYI, Lemon Joy dish soap does not work, citronella really doesn't do hardly anything, nor does skin-so-soft, etc. It's cheaper to just buy the store stuff, unfortunately.
I'd say a spritz of lemongrass oil does the trick, mosquitoes hate the smell, but it actually smells nice and fresh. There are also candles with this oil, but those can be potentially harmful with fire you know...
leave that to the specialist, you don't want to harm yourself, or anyone or anything.
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