Insect Repellant

[J F]

Okay, so what's the best way to go about avoiding bugs (especially mosquitos) without using a toxic chemical spray? I'm looking for a good natural insect repellant. I'm gonna be in Hawaii for two weeks in July and don't want to spend it sniffing "Off" or being attacked by bugs. Having just read a news article about West Nile Virus doesn't help, either.

[shelley]

Don't eat a lot of sugar or carbs. Mosquitos like sugar-rich food. If your blood sugar is high, they'll just love you. They especially like bananas for some reason.

There are natural repellents based on plant extracts that mosquitos hate. Eucalyptus oil, tea tree, geranium, cedar... just mix the essential oils in a base oil like pure sesame or jojoba. Or use Avon's Skin So Soft bath oil.

You can take Vitamin B1, it makes the skin smell in a way that mosquitos hate.

Mosquitos also hate vanilla extract. You have to get the good kind, gourmet, from Mexico or Madagascar, not the cheap small bottles they sell in the grocery stores which are mostly alcohol.

[Invincible]

My sister swears by taking a high dose B complex to stop insect bites.

I am prone to being bitten, but now on my low sugar/carbs programe, hopefully those critters will leave me in peace!

[chickpea]

I tend to get bitten a lot too.....must have sweet blood! I've heard Burt's Bees products are very good....

Here is their insect repellant

http://www1.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=10152&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10001

Anne

[J F]

I've just picked up Quantum brand insect repellant and "Chemical Free" sunscreen. I've yet to use either. I wanted to get some feedback on them, first. Here is the website for their products:

http://www.quantumhealth.com/

The sunscreen has Padimate-0 (PABA, I believe) and Benzophenone-3. I notice most commercial sunscreens advertize that they are PABA free. What's the story with PABA?

Anne, I've also ordered the Burt's Bees product since I like the fact that it does not seem to contain alcohol or castor oil as the Quantum bug repellant does. Thanks for the link!!!!

[Pam]

I made up a batch of rubbing alcohol mixed with mint oil extract and sprayed it on my little granddaughter, who is very allergic to mosquitos, and let her go out to play. I am so happy to say she had a great time and no mosquito bites at all. Hubby and son also use it for their nightly walks and no knats or mosquito bites at all.