homemade insect repellant: Suggestions?

[Katherine]

Hi
I am being eaten alive again this summer. Thank goodness I have discovered boots tea tree cream to kill the itching. However I'm starting to look like I've got chickenpox or something. Off camping again next weekend so would like to take a stand against the bugs but at 32wks pg I don't like to use any of the chemicals, even the child friendly ones.

As I like using essential oils I thought I'd have a go at my own but am not sure which oils will be best and how much to use. Would be good if mild enough to use on the kids as well but the important thing is it works on me as I'm the one they target. DH says we don't need any repellant for anyone else as they've got me!

Any suggestions on good mixes or any other alternatives?
PS Don't suggest eating garlic - this has been my craving this pg and has not made any difference to the bugs at all

I used to do this for my horse...shall see if I can locate the recipe. This isn't a very helpful post as I am at school, but it is possible and it did work!!!!! but it did smell quite strong! Maybe someone else has a better suggestion.

Katherine, I seem to think Lavender oil but I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly. Bet someone knows though. You're almost persuading me (on the other thread) that camping might be fun too!

Oh yes camping is great (apart from the bugs!) - just try to avoid camping under trees or near streams, ponds etc as these are the worst spots (says someone who camping under a lovely big tree next to a little stream last weekend and now has lovely pebbledashed legs!)

PS I LOVE Lavender and have lavander soap and lavander bubblebath so don't think it puts them off. However I would smell scrummy.

I think the citrus oils are the ones to use but am a bit wary about concentrations as I know they can also irritate the skin, especially in the sun so I need to get the proportions right.

Can you buy citronella oil? I thought you could.

Now people - don't laugh!! I have guinea pigs and I recall reading on a guinea pig website of a natural essential oil insext repellent for guinea pigs - just found it:
The best answer is to D.I.Y. using essential oils. A mixture of citronella, lemon balm, lavender and geranium is the one I use but there are several other essential oils that repel or kill insects. Be warned, if you use lavender, this also repels rodents, and Guinea pigs, being of that family get very agitated when they first catch a whiff of it!. However, they get used to it and quickly settle down.

I'd recommend citronella oil too, and can you stomach marmite? The yeast in it apparently makes your blood less tasty to a lot of biting insects.
You are such a persuasive advocate for camping, bites apart, like WWW I am seriously tempted after reading your other thread!

Citronella can also be found in candles for the garden (not a particularly good recommendation with small children and canvas) but very useful once they are in bed!

Have found citronella very good for repelling insects (usually put some in a burner) but personally I find the smell too much so would recommend combining it with lavender.

a well known cosmetic supplier 'ding dong' do a good range of skin so soft that has been known for its capability in replling bugs, you could try that if it doesn't work well..you smell good anyway...

we make one for the horses with citronella oil and coldtea, seems to work but the smell would be a bit off putting to use on a person perhaps

Will have a look for some citronella oil this afternoon got a load of old honeycomb so thinking about melting it down and making some citronella candles too.

I do like geranium as well. Meant to be hormone balancing so probably quite useful in my highly hormonal state!

Jaybee your post made me laugh - that explains why our guinea pig (RIP) never used to like me!

afraid I can't stand marmite though but might explain why the kids don't get bitten!

Katherine - the best natural insect repellent I know of is garlic and lots of it. When you eat garlic the smell seeps out of your skin (as you may have noticed) and insects hate this.

The only thing is, you have to eat it several times a day and I'm not sure the "odourless" capsules would work. May be worth a try though?

katherine - I knew someone would!! Apparently, both guinea pigs and rabbits are prone to blowfly strike which is when blowfly maggots are attracted to the smell of the hutch an eat away the animals rear ends - nice - this concoction was a recommendation to try to keep away the flies.

Finally tracked down some citronella oil so all set now. Planning on a mix of water, vodka, citrolella, lavender, geranium lemongrass & tea tree. Any suggestions on no. drops?

Also noticed that it says not to use citronella when pg. Take this with minch of salt as they also say that about lavender and its only the first trimester to be careful. Will be 34 weeks. Anyone got any counter-advice?

Oh and I got eaten alive again at the weekend doing the garden. Went in to put some boots tea tree cream on to stop the itching and they stopped biting so at least I have something I can use effectively whatever. Would like to make a spray though so quantitiy advice gratefully recieved.