Re: Collection of posts on bug repellents/safe yard care (long)

[Guest guest]

Re Avon's Skin so Soft - when I emailed Avon a couple of years ago,

this product contained gluten.

....

> " Tough guy " Marines who spend a great deal of time

> " camping out " say that the very best mosquito

> repellant you can use is

> Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about

> half and half with alcohol.

>

[Guest guest]

When I was a child living in rural Oklahoma, chiggers were called

" no-see-ums " . My dad used to say " If you eat candy, the no-see-ums " are going

to bite you! " Jaquelyn

Collection of posts on bug repellents/safe yard

care (long)

Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in

Louisiana..just wipe on & go...Great for Babies

Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day

April through October . He said it works. He was right.

Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it.

Every one he has talked into trying it works on them.

Vitimin B-1( Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)

If you eat bananas,

the mosquitos like you, - something about the banana oil

as your body processes it.

Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitos

will be much less interested.

This is going to floor you, but one of the best

insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods

every day), is Vick's Vaporub.

Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off

a smell that bugs do not like,

so plant some in that garden also to help ward

off bugs without using insecticides.

" Tough guy " Marines who spend a great deal of time

" camping out " say that the very best mosquito

repellant you can use is

Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about

half and half with alcohol.

One of the best natural insect repellants that I've discovered

is made from the clear real vanilla. This is the pure Vanilla that

is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks,

don't know about other insects.

When all else fails--get a frog

----------------------------------------------------------------------

-------

Also remove all sources of standing water in your yard (old tires,

pool covers, buckets, toys etc). Water which is left stagnant for

more than 4-5 days can become a perfect breeding ground for

mosquitoes.

Carole

----------------------------------------------------------------------

--------

Don't know how it is in skeeter land but in the Northeast bat houses

on trees

help too.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

--------

I have also found Burt Bees to have a good mosquito fighter.

Someone also told me being deficient in zinc attracts the little

guys. I dont know if this is true or not but last year I took zinc

and it did make a difference-they usually love me but it wasnt so

bad!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

---------

is great, just in time. You can also spray garlic with a sprayer in

your

garden. Last year sent instructions to the list to put 2 oz. of

listerine

or generic listerine then add lemon sented dish soap to the top of the

sprayer, and I believe this should not be antibacterial, and spray

the yard. It

worked pretty good last year, just a few little mosquitos got by,

----------------------------------------------------------------------

---------

Labs has a Mosquito product out that is all natural and serves as a

barrier so the mosiquitoes do not SEE you as food. They might land on

you, but

they won't bite you. Its been tested by the army rangers in swampy

conditions

and they love it. It doesn't smell and its not toxic, BUT you have to

rub it

ALL OVER, because if you miss a spot, it could get bitten.

Someone might want to call them and ask them how to get this stuff.

We tried

it last summer and liked it better than any other non-toxic formula

that we had

tried. Phone: .

----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------weed killers

I just got back from Autism One in Chicago and have been noticing the

posts concerning lawns and weed killers specifically.

I am a horticulturist and know a little about this subject. As a

father

of a son with vaccine induced autism, I am very concerned about

chemical

exposures.

You CAN go organic or drastically reduce chemicals to minimize their

effects and have a decent lawn.

I don't have time to go into details but will try to write up

something

soon.

THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES! They do require work and diligence and

acceptance of some " broadleaf " weeds like clover as " acceptable " . My

opinion is that regular, broad based treatments of lawns, such as

that

of ChemLawn or others is FAR more socially irresponsible than a few

weeds.

I would begin by saying that the issues we should concern ourselves

with

are:

fertilizers

weed presenters

weed killers

insecticides

I will stick to the weed killers/preventers and mention the

insecticides

for now.

At this time, for most of the country, 2 things are happening for

weeds.

Weed prevention to prevent weeds from sprouting (mostly crabgrass)

and

weed treatments for actively growing weeds.

weed preventers, if chemicals means are used in a lawn care strategy,

are PROBABLY a better strategy and of less concern with toxicity than

preventers. Im not saying they arent toxic but based on what I have

known and looked into, the lesser of two evils.

weed treaters are probably worse, especially in the way they are

applied. The main, widely used and cheapest ones are 2,4-D (usually

with

other stuff in a formulation called Trimec) and products with a

chemical

called MSMA (which contains arsenic). These, because they are cheap,

have been WIDELY used by lawn care companies, golf courses, parks,

recreational fields and commercial sites. 2,4-D can drift in the air

causing problems to sensitive plants as far as miles away in some

situations. In corn and wheat growing areas 2,4-D can be particularly

bad (along with another called atrazine).

These are probably the worst weed products to us and our kids.

Later on, after June, insecticides will be applied for grub control.

MOST are getting banned but many are neurotoxic (most are

specifically

cholinesterase inhibitors). There is a newer class of grub control

that,

rather than acting on the nervous system, are hormones which effect

the

growth and development of selected insects - how " safe " these are and

what they contain as " inert ingredients " is anyone's guess. They are

supposdely " safer " than the neurtoxic based ones.Their timing of

application is " tricky " and requires knowledge of insect growth and

development along with soil temps.

Again I will try to write up something for others later.

The key to any lawn care is to establish a dense growing mat of

deeply

growing grass. This will choke out and supress weed growth. It

requires

cutting the grass higher (which freaks out neighbors sometimes),

limiting fertilizer applications and proper watering. Timing is

everything when doing this but it CAN be done.

If you have a specific question right now I will try to address it.

Please remember that grass/weeds vary in different parts of the

country

and this changes how and when things are done.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

--------

I talked with my husband and this is how he does the mosquito

spray. He puts

about 2 oz. of Listerine or Generic Listerine to the weed/feed

sprayer then

adds lemon scented dish soap to the top. He said it shouldn't be

antibacterial. Then spray the yard with the hose connected. He said

you only

use ammonia with about 2 oz if you want to fertilize the grass. I

haven't had

1 mosquito bite this summer here at home!! Like I said he does it

about 2x a

month and then after a rain.

Hope this helps,

----------------------------------------------------------------------

-------

Yes, if you take 50 to 100 mg vitamin B-complex, particularly vitamin

B1,

mosquitos will tend to leave you alone. Shaklee has a skin lotion

that works

wonders too. Together, you should be impervious. I believe it is

called Silk

and Satin? The Shaklee rep will know.

Never put Deetâ " ¢ on a child, even adults have been harmed by it.

I know where one man in a coma near death with all organs shutting

down by the

time West Nile was diagnosed, totally recovered, quickly, on

glyconutrients (25

grams through feeding tube every 3 hours, 3 doses), another young boy

similarly

recovered on it.

Here is a couple of other thoughts from others' experience:

>>>Last year during the heat of summer I would work in my garden from

7:00

until dark. Although this was more comfortable than mid-day, the

mosquitoes

were out in full force and eager to bite. After getting pretty bit up

the first

time, I decided to pick some Sage and Chamomile leaves and rub them

on my arms

and face thereafter. It worked and the mosquitoes left me alone! >>>

>>>

Mosquitoes especially dislike Lavender and Thyme oils. Use pure

essential

oil, and dilute it in a base of either water or carrier oil such as

sweet

almond, sesame, grape seed or safflower. Dilute 2-6 drops of the

essential oil

into 1 teaspoon of a base oil to use topically. To make a water-based

splash,

add 5-6 drops essential oil to 1 Tablespoon witch hazel and 4

Tablespoons

filtered/spring water. Shake it well and spray on the skin. One of

the best

formulas I have found to keep most bothersome insects away is:

Thyme oil, 4 drops

Lavender oil, 4 drops

Peppermint, 4 drops Add this blend of oils to 2 Tablespoons witch

hazel and 8

Tablespoons filtered or spring water. Shake well and spray onto skin.

Reapply

as needed when outdoors. This is a good blend for children also. If

you do

happen to get bit, Tea Tree oil is always a good first choice, since

it has

antiseptic properties, reduces inflammation and promotes skin

healing. There

are natural alternatives but it takes a little more time and

effort. As

always, I urge you to do your own research and of course, listen to

your innate

healing wisdom. Do you have a question for Granny Earth? Email:

grannyearth@... You can call her at .

Many frequently asked questions and answers can be found at

<http://forums.autism-rxguidebook.com>

[Guest guest]

May I have permission to forward this post, Jodi’s Bug off wrist

repellant post, and ’s NeemAura bug repellant post to a local

Missouri support group list I am on? I will not forward without the

individual author’s permission. Please post permission b/c I am fairly

certain others on this list might like to forward this info to their

local groups. With West Nile and just basic bug aversion, I think this

is important to share. In Missouri, if you enjoy outdoor life there are

these vile bugs called chiggers that get under your skin and burn like

fire for DAYS and ticks are also a problem. My relatives from AZ

ignored good repellant hygiene and found out about chiggers the hard way

(lol).

TIA,

Collection of posts on bug repellents/safe yard

care (long)

Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in

Louisiana..just wipe on & go...Great for Babies

Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day

April through October . He said it works. He was right.

Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it.

Every one he has talked into trying it works on them.

Vitimin B-1( Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)

If you eat bananas,

the mosquitos like you, - something about the banana oil

as your body processes it.

Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitos

will be much less interested.

This is going to floor you, but one of the best

insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods

every day), is Vick's Vaporub.

Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off

a smell that bugs do not like,

so plant some in that garden also to help ward

off bugs without using insecticides.

" Tough guy " Marines who spend a great deal of time

" camping out " say that the very best mosquito

repellant you can use is

Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about

half and half with alcohol.

One of the best natural insect repellants that I've discovered

is made from the clear real vanilla. This is the pure Vanilla that

is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks,

don't know about other insects.

When all else fails--get a frog

----------------------------------------------------------------------

-------

Also remove all sources of standing water in your yard (old tires,

pool covers, buckets, toys etc). Water which is left stagnant for

more than 4-5 days can become a perfect breeding ground for

mosquitoes.

Carole

----------------------------------------------------------------------

--------

Don't know how it is in skeeter land but in the Northeast bat houses

on trees

help too.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

--------

I have also found Burt Bees to have a good mosquito fighter.

Someone also told me being deficient in zinc attracts the little

guys. I dont know if this is true or not but last year I took zinc

and it did make a difference-they usually love me but it wasnt so

bad!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

---------

is great, just in time. You can also spray garlic with a sprayer in

your

garden. Last year sent instructions to the list to put 2 oz. of

listerine

or generic listerine then add lemon sented dish soap to the top of the

sprayer, and I believe this should not be antibacterial, and spray

the yard. It

worked pretty good last year, just a few little mosquitos got by,

----------------------------------------------------------------------

---------

Labs has a Mosquito product out that is all natural and serves as a

barrier so the mosiquitoes do not SEE you as food. They might land on

you, but

they won't bite you. Its been tested by the army rangers in swampy

conditions

and they love it. It doesn't smell and its not toxic, BUT you have to

rub it

ALL OVER, because if you miss a spot, it could get bitten.

Someone might want to call them and ask them how to get this stuff.

We tried

it last summer and liked it better than any other non-toxic formula

that we had

tried. Phone: .

----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------weed killers

I just got back from Autism One in Chicago and have been noticing the

posts concerning lawns and weed killers specifically.

I am a horticulturist and know a little about this subject. As a

father

of a son with vaccine induced autism, I am very concerned about

chemical

exposures.

You CAN go organic or drastically reduce chemicals to minimize their

effects and have a decent lawn.

I don't have time to go into details but will try to write up

something

soon.

THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES! They do require work and diligence and

acceptance of some " broadleaf " weeds like clover as " acceptable " . My

opinion is that regular, broad based treatments of lawns, such as

that

of ChemLawn or others is FAR more socially irresponsible than a few

weeds.

I would begin by saying that the issues we should concern ourselves

with

are:

fertilizers

weed presenters

weed killers

insecticides

I will stick to the weed killers/preventers and mention the

insecticides

for now.

At this time, for most of the country, 2 things are happening for

weeds.

Weed prevention to prevent weeds from sprouting (mostly crabgrass)

and

weed treatments for actively growing weeds.

weed preventers, if chemicals means are used in a lawn care strategy,

are PROBABLY a better strategy and of less concern with toxicity than

preventers. Im not saying they arent toxic but based on what I have

known and looked into, the lesser of two evils.

weed treaters are probably worse, especially in the way they are

applied. The main, widely used and cheapest ones are 2,4-D (usually

with

other stuff in a formulation called Trimec) and products with a

chemical

called MSMA (which contains arsenic). These, because they are cheap,

have been WIDELY used by lawn care companies, golf courses, parks,

recreational fields and commercial sites. 2,4-D can drift in the air

causing problems to sensitive plants as far as miles away in some

situations. In corn and wheat growing areas 2,4-D can be particularly

bad (along with another called atrazine).

These are probably the worst weed products to us and our kids.

Later on, after June, insecticides will be applied for grub control.

MOST are getting banned but many are neurotoxic (most are

specifically

cholinesterase inhibitors). There is a newer class of grub control

that,

rather than acting on the nervous system, are hormones which effect

the

growth and development of selected insects - how " safe " these are and

what they contain as " inert ingredients " is anyone's guess. They are

supposdely " safer " than the neurtoxic based ones.Their timing of

application is " tricky " and requires knowledge of insect growth and

development along with soil temps.

Again I will try to write up something for others later.

The key to any lawn care is to establish a dense growing mat of

deeply

growing grass. This will choke out and supress weed growth. It

requires

cutting the grass higher (which freaks out neighbors sometimes),

limiting fertilizer applications and proper watering. Timing is

everything when doing this but it CAN be done.

If you have a specific question right now I will try to address it.

Please remember that grass/weeds vary in different parts of the

country

and this changes how and when things are done.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

--------

I talked with my husband and this is how he does the mosquito

spray. He puts

about 2 oz. of Listerine or Generic Listerine to the weed/feed

sprayer then

adds lemon scented dish soap to the top. He said it shouldn't be

antibacterial. Then spray the yard with the hose connected. He said

you only

use ammonia with about 2 oz if you want to fertilize the grass. I

haven't had

1 mosquito bite this summer here at home!! Like I said he does it

about 2x a

month and then after a rain.

Hope this helps,

----------------------------------------------------------------------

-------

Yes, if you take 50 to 100 mg vitamin B-complex, particularly vitamin

B1,

mosquitos will tend to leave you alone. Shaklee has a skin lotion

that works

wonders too. Together, you should be impervious. I believe it is

called Silk

and Satin? The Shaklee rep will know.

Never put Deetâ„¢ on a child, even adults have been harmed by it.

I know where one man in a coma near death with all organs shutting

down by the

time West Nile was diagnosed, totally recovered, quickly, on

glyconutrients (25

grams through feeding tube every 3 hours, 3 doses), another young boy

similarly

recovered on it.

Here is a couple of other thoughts from others' experience:

>>>Last year during the heat of summer I would work in my garden from

7:00

until dark. Although this was more comfortable than mid-day, the

mosquitoes

were out in full force and eager to bite. After getting pretty bit up

the first

time, I decided to pick some Sage and Chamomile leaves and rub them

on my arms

and face thereafter. It worked and the mosquitoes left me alone! >>>

>>>

Mosquitoes especially dislike Lavender and Thyme oils. Use pure

essential

oil, and dilute it in a base of either water or carrier oil such as

sweet

almond, sesame, grape seed or safflower. Dilute 2-6 drops of the

essential oil

into 1 teaspoon of a base oil to use topically. To make a water-based

splash,

add 5-6 drops essential oil to 1 Tablespoon witch hazel and 4

Tablespoons

filtered/spring water. Shake it well and spray on the skin. One of

the best

formulas I have found to keep most bothersome insects away is:

Thyme oil, 4 drops

Lavender oil, 4 drops

Peppermint, 4 drops Add this blend of oils to 2 Tablespoons witch

hazel and 8

Tablespoons filtered or spring water. Shake well and spray onto skin.

Reapply

as needed when outdoors. This is a good blend for children also. If

you do

happen to get bit, Tea Tree oil is always a good first choice, since

it has

antiseptic properties, reduces inflammation and promotes skin

healing. There

are natural alternatives but it takes a little more time and

effort. As

always, I urge you to do your own research and of course, listen to

your innate

healing wisdom. Do you have a question for Granny Earth? Email:

grannyearth@... You can call her at .

Many frequently asked questions and answers can be found at

<http://forums.autism-rxguidebook.com>

[Guest guest]

,

You have my permission to forward what I wrote.

I love those bracelets. I am a mosquito magnet, but with those

on, no bites for me. Even sitting out at dusk during soccer

practice last fall I didn't get bitten. I put them on the boys' ankles

and wrists (double protection-the mosquitoes were THICK).

They didn't get any bites either.

Jody

mom to -5 and -7