http://www.care2.com/greenliving/safe-bug-repellent.html
Don’t Bite Me: A Safe Bug Repellent
By Annie B. Bond
It is all well and good to want to be a caretaker of the Earth and live in as eco-friendly way as is possible, but who wants to get bit by ticks and mosquitoes, especially these days when both carry disease?
Here’s some good news and a great resource: A New England Journal of Medicine study found this repellent to be as effective as those containing D E E T, yet it is all natural and much safer.
Bite Blocker Insect Repellent is an all natural bug spray that is soy-based with coconut oil, geranium oil, citric acid, lecithin, and soybean oil. It protects for up to 8 hours. Note that geranium oil is also effective against ticks, and soy is considered a very effective repellant.
Here is a very well done article written by the editor of the Seventh Generation newsletter, and I urge you to read it about DEET and alternatives: Bite Me.
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26 comments
add your comment »Dawn on dogs is NOT good! You have to be so careful to rinse it off COMPLETLY or your dogs skin will dry and become itchy and even loose fur over it! A few drops in water is OK for shampooing but never apply it undiluted!
Here is a recipe I have used for natural bug repellant for years! All my friends clamor for it each skeeter season. It is also effective sprayed around out door lights to keep the moths down as well.
4 oz water
4 oz Witch Hazel
1 oz Soybean oil
1/8 oz glycerine
10 drops each
tea tree oil, grapefruit oil, citronella oil, then any flower oil you like rose, lavender, orange blossom. Shake well before each use to mix oils with base.
Living in skeeter infested Florida, this lets us play outside at night!
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Natural home-made bug repellent found on planet green... stuff happens wit Bill Nye the Science Guy...
Equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar and Witch Hazel and add eucalyptus essential oil
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Ooops, sorry about the last commment my laptop froze.
I meant to say that I would like to know if there are any natural recipes for bug spray!
Thanks
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We live in the woods with lots of bugs another natural way is peppermint oil and water lasts all day with no chemicals
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I love the idea of a bug repellent that leaves you smelling like a beautiful flower & coconut! If it is truly all natural then it would also be good for dogs before heading into the bush on your hike! Must check with vet first to be sure...but sounds great!
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Thank you for this marvellous product!! However, something on your site is not working.Went to click on the bottle to purchase, and a message says check correct address. So please see to getting this fixed quickly. Many more people will be wanting this product. I live in the mosquito country of Australia. Judy.
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the bug spray i use is the OneGroup product called mieniviron Buzz Free Zone Personal Spray www.love.mionegroup.com
it is totally chemical free and works great.
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A friend told me to use straight Listerine mouthwash spalsh on clothing at neckline and ankles as a mosquito repellent and can also keep them away from a picnic table - just pour some Listerine in a small bowl and place it in the middle of the table....worth a try!
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Thanks for the tips. Real Purity has a wonderful safe insect repellent that we have used for years. It's a combination of essential oils and will repel ticks, fleas, skeeters, etc. We use is safely on our dogs, kids and us. I think they offer samples to try so you can test it too, which is nice.
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I am a professional Pet Stylist, and I can assure you that washing your pet with Dawn, or any other detergent, will not leave any residue that will repel pests! But dawn dish detergent is safe to use as a pesticide free Flea & Tick Shampoo! Being careful around the eyes, you apply it THICKLY all over the dogs body(Don't really lather-just get it on thick)Let sit 20 min. Then Rinse VERY WELL- Stil be carefull with the eyes! Important to use lots of conditioner after because this technique can be very drying, but I think its much safer! I'm going to try Bite Blocker at my salon-I'll let ya know how it goes!
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