Home Remedies - Lincoln,NE

There are also some great oils out there for relief if you do get a bite. My MIL makes her own plantain oil which is very effective.

Dr. Christopher's has the same thing in an ointment:

http://www.drchristophers.com/Stings-Bites-Ointment.html

(I'm new to this site so I'm sorry if I'm not supposed to add links)

Avon sells an insect repellent that has uv protection on it as well. My kids' skin are very sensitive, and they break out to so many types of lotion. I bought 3 bottles of the stuff for $10 last year, and it works pretty well.

I use a bug spray I made with some products I get from Melaleuca. It works great and is safe for the kids.

Keeping a dryer sheet in your pocket work too. You might try getting 3 or 4 drops of some pure tea tree oil in your lotion and put it on your body. Insects do not like tea tree oil.
They also do not like basil.

There are many natural alternatives that work, you just have to find which one works best for you.

THIS MAY SOUND WIERD. BUT IF YOU USE 1 TABLE SPOON OF VANILLA EXTRACT TO ONE CUP OF WATER. THEN WIPE THE MIXTURE ON YOUR EXPOSED SKIN IT DISCOURAGES MOSQUITOES, BLACK FLIES & TICKS.
i AM ALLERGIC TO PERFUME IN ALOT OF THINGS SO I HAD TO FIND ANOTHER WAY MYSELF.

Avon has a product called "Skin so Soft" that has been used for insect repellent for years. I grew up in SC and the "chain Gang" used it when they worked on the roads. It is not an insect repellent, but a skin softening product. I'd say try it! It smells okay and feels good on your skin. I'd say it is not poisonous either! LindaS

I have recently come across a very natural product to fight insects off.
http://www.soapourri.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=...

Good Luck!

Hi there, H.:

Just wanted to let you know that Melaleuca has some fantastic products that can be used for repellents. All of Melaleuca's products are environmentally safe and so good for our skin. They have almost 400 products now and they are good for your pocketbook too. I have been a customer for over a year now and love all their products!!
We are all referred by other customers so if you're interested in learning more about all their fantastic products, send me an email and I will get you all the details.
God bless you and have a wonderful day!!

T.

Try putting Bounce dryer sheets in her pockets. I usually tear one in half. It sounds crazy, but it works.

Hi H.:
Do you have any nature stores in your area? If you do then they should carry insect repellent made from natural ingredients, if not surely they can order some for you. Have you tried a google search?
K.

Hi H.

I heard (have not tried) a Bounce dryer sheet in the pocket does wonders. Also try Avon Skin So Soft, some people swear by it!

I've heard that if you eat bananas they can actually attract mosquitos. so maybe cut those out for the summer. It's something in the sweetness.

Well, H., I found this very cool website that specifically talks about each expecially nuisance bug.

edit: here's the website
http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm

Here's the one about mosquitoes. (also I believe Melaleuca oil will help too - and vanilla does work, my FIL uses it all the time - he works in concrete. personally, I think he likes the smell)

The first line of defense against mosquitos is to seal their point of entry. Mosquitos are most active in the early morning and early evening. They seek areas of still air because they are hampered by breezes. Close windows and doors on the side of your house which are opposite the breeze. Then try:
The most important measure you can take is to remove standing water sources. Change birdbaths, wading pools and pet's water bowl twice a week. Keep your eavestroughs clean and well-draining. Remove yard items that collect water.
In a New England Journal of Medicine study, oil of eucalyptus at 30% concentration prevented mosquito bites for 120.1 minutes, while Bite Blocker with 2% soybean oil kept bites away for 96.4 minutes. (the eucalyptus oil must have a minimum of 70% cineole content, the active therapeutic ingredient.) Citronella, a common alternative to DEET, performed poorly, warding off bugs for only 20 minutes.
If you're using the barbeque, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitos.
An effective natural bug repellent, mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to 5 - 6 hours. Strips of cotton cloth can also be dipped in this mixture and hung in areas, such as patios, as a localized deterrent.
Neem oil is a natural vegetable oil extracted from the Neem tree in India. The leaves, seeds and seed oil of the Neem tree contain sallanin, a compound which has effective mosquito repelling properties. Neem oil is a natural product and is safe to use. Look for new Neem Oil-based commercial products on the market.
Planting marigolds around your yard works as a natural bug repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance bugs and flying insects do not like.
Campers often report that the very best mosquito repellent is Avon Skin-So-Soft® bath oil mixed half and half with rubbing alcohol.
Safe, nontoxic pheromone-based mosquito traps are now commercially available.

I have read that you shouldn't feed your kids bananas in the summer because the banana oil makes their skin smell yummy to mosquitos...so we don't eat bananas in the summer. Also, I personally apply Avon's skin-so-soft bath oil on their skin right before they go outside. It seems to work, and they smell great!

Vanilla works great. Also if your child is ready to swallow pills. She can swallow garlic tablets or cayenne red pepper tablets (vitamin or organic store). Bugs won't like the smell of the person and will steer clear. My Mom swears by it and will take them all summer long and not get bit.

Have you tried Avon's Skin So Soft bath oil. THat stuff is wonderful for repelling mosquitoes. I know that you can now order Avon products online and don't need to go through an Avon rep if you can't find one.

We live in Idaho and have a bad time with mosquitos. My 8 year old son is allergic to repellant as well. We use a fresh bounce sheet (dryer sheet) and rub it on his face (avoiding the eyes), ears, arms and legs (sometime stomach if we go swimming). I just keep a travel pack of bounce in my purse and we are ready for whatever activity wehave to do. It also makes my purse smell nice too! Hope this works for you and your little angel. K. :)

If you have a Walgreen's store, look there for a product called Natrapel Plus . It is citronella, natural, and non-toxic. Also, at your health food store, look for pure lavender oil and peppermint oil. Both are great repelling insects. Pure clove oil is very good for bites, it takes out the itch as well as disinfects. Good luck!

The pure vanilla extract really does work well although it needs to be reapplied frequently. A new one I've recently discovered is fabric softeners. You just rub them on yourself and not only do the bugs stay away but you smell fresh too.

I use a combination of (essential) peppermint oil and canola oil. You can also use lemon balm and canola oil. I believe the recipe is something like 5-10 drops of essential oil to 2 T of oil. its safe and --as long as she is not allergice to either inredient-- should not elicit a bad response. I use this because I still cant get myself to use DEET or any of the toxic stuff over the counter. My kids are both almost 2 YO now and we have been using this on them with no ill effects. I also only use this instead of the over the counter stuff-- cheaper and safer.

HOpe that helps

I have found that the spray from bath and body works works great. I spray that on my kids and they don't get bit at all.

Eating more garlic helps repell mosquitos. Also Pure Lavendar oil that you can find at the vitamin stores will repell mosquitos, it also is great to take the sting and itchies away associated with the bites.

Avons Skin So Soft brand of lotion works well especially for mosquitos. I use it on my kids for day to day use.