Post: #1

http://info.achs.edu/blog/green-cleaning...el-insects

I'm in the sub tropics, and looking to travel to Thailand and Brazil soon. So I have been dealing with mosquitoes bites.

So, basically I've been using essential oils to keep these bastards off of me.

I heard from friends, that mosquitoes are big issue in Thailand. So basically I'm stocking up on ammo.

I wear most mint smiling essential oils, its seems to work, and I use Tea Tree oils to treat bites.

8. Tea Tree Australia Melaleuca alternifolia (Cheel)

Will the wonders of Australian tea tree oil ever cease? Tea tree is not only a green cleaning powerhouse, but it is also an antiparasitic, capable of destroying or suppressing the growth of parasites such as fleas, leeches, lice, and ticks. Use diffusion or direct topical application. Like bergamot, if those nasty critters do make a meal out of you, Australian tea tree can help beat the irritation from bites or stings.

Post: #2

Does it have to be "natural"?
Why not just get some low odor stuff in a little bottle?

I think most of it is plant based anyway.

Post: #3

(05-01-2016 04:24 AM)Sooth Wrote:  Does it have to be "natural"?
Why not just get some low odor stuff in a little bottle?

I think most of it is plant based anyway.

Good question,

I thought about that, but as you know chemicals have side effects and increase toxicity.

I also notice essential oils can enhance your skin performance and doesn't irritate it, unlike head and shoulder dandruff, which is a chemical base. Plus theirs enough chemicals in our lives, no need to add more toxicity to your body.

For example head and shoulder doesn't cure dandruff, because the make doesn't want you to stop using the product. I notice when I use aloe vera gel on my scalp, the dandruff does go away naturally, because aloe vera gel kills the bacteria that creates inflammation and flaking on my head.

Post: #4

(05-01-2016 04:32 AM)elimanning Wrote:  I thought about that, but as you know chemicals have side effects and increase toxicity.

Isn't virtually everything in our world composed of chemicals?

Post: #5

I live in serious mosquito country- the type of place where you stick your hand outside and within 2 minutes every square inch is covered, or where the swarms get so thick you can close your eyes and clap your hands and kill 10 of them each time...and the swarm doesn't get any smaller. As soon as all the ice and snow melts away, it's game on. The natural stuff simply does not work. The only thing you can use is 100% DEET. I hate the stuff, but the alternative is be covered head to toe in bites (I have pictures that make me look like I'm swollen up and infected with a strange affliction).

Combination of the following works somewhat well-
Small campfire
Dirt/ mud
DEET
Wind
Mosquito nets
Gloves
Thick clothing, thick long sleeves

Even with the DEET, it doesn't keep them all away, maybe 80-90% for about 15 minutes. Then they come back.

The only good thing is the mosquitoes where I live don't carry any of the diseases found in the tropics.

Post: #6

(05-01-2016 05:12 AM)Suits Wrote:  

(05-01-2016 04:32 AM)elimanning Wrote:  I thought about that, but as you know chemicals have side effects and increase toxicity.

Isn't virtually everything in our world composed of chemicals?

True for the most part, it is due to living in a corporate world, for example Oil is used to make everything, from starbuck coffee, to vaseline to gasoline. but we can at least minimize exposure to toxic chemicals.

http://foodbabe.com/2014/09/02/drink-sta...chemicals/


I believe that most of Acne facial skin issue is due to process food and diary consumption. Which cause the skin to break out. It is widely known diary had antibiotics in it from unhealthy cow, which is use in human consumption. I for one avoid diary consumption, but I do consume coconut or almond milk that is infuse with vitamin D.

Furthermore, Animals that are allow to lively more naturally have better nutrition for humans. If you notice meat that is more natural, has a darker color, indicating rich in iron. Which is important for Human consumption to build strong muscle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZVUoQd-P6o


Like, for example Aloe Vera gel, Coconut oil are great for hair and skin. And is natural to our body. Versus say other commercial products.

China has a lot of mosquito issue, aloe vera is assume against mosquito bites, and its cheap and natural. You can use DEETS, but i think it is excessive, but probably necessary in Thailand.

Its like eating fast food versus eating kiwis and apples.

Post: #7

I live in Thailand and mosquitos are a serious issue. I personally used the repellant stuff that I can get at 7-eleven, but I'm always open to new and more natural shit.

Post: #8

I think you mean "repel," not "Rebel" in the thread title. Unless you are talking about Robert E. Lee's secret skeeter cavalry squadrons.......

Post: #9

I'm going out on a hunt, will bring 100 DEET (actually it's 98%), artnaturals Australia tea tree oil from Amazon, and Repel Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellent. I'll report back on how good they work.

Post: #10

Rebel Wilson

All natural repellant

Post: #11

One naturalmosquito repellant that has worked for me is yeast extract. I eat once slice of toast first thing in the morning spread with Marmite (other vitamin= B rich yeast extracts will also work) and I've only had a few bites in the last five years. A dramatic improvement for me!!!

Post: #12

(05-01-2016 03:43 PM)frozen-ace Wrote:  I'm going out on a hunt, will bring 100 DEET (actually it's 98%), artnaturals Australia tea tree oil from Amazon, and Repel Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellent. I'll report back on how good they work.

DEET's is more powerful.

It is well known that DEET is used heavily by westerners in Thailand. Its a must.

Post: #13

I bought one of these because they had the device on clearance for $9 and the cartridge refills for $1 at walmart last year. Seems to work pretty well when stationary, I had them bugging me when I walked around with it belt-clipped. The little blue mats with the chemical on them burn off pretty fast.



Far from natural, but I was curious if anyone knows about the toxicity of the chemicals involved.

Post: #14

If you purchase a Citronella plant and rub it on yourself, I this works great at keeping the bugs at bay. We used to have them growing wild on our property, so whenever I would go outside, I'd rub it on first. Never got bitten while using this method. The mosquitos really hate this stuff.

If that isn't an option...

Here's a list of the Environmental Working Group's advice regarding bug sprays:

http://www.ewg.org/research/ewgs-guide-bug-repellents

Post: #15

A fan on full blast blowing across the lenght of the bed is an effective non-industrial chemical way to avoid bites while sleeping.

Post: #16

Picaridin 10% is the repellent in Cutter's, Green Cross, and maybe some others. Not toxic but effective in Philippines. Picaridin seems to be as effective as DEET but after 4-6 hours one should probably reapply.

It's easy to overdose on DEET. One clear July day, fishing alone in Alaska, I arrived at my fishing hole after a long hike, sweating and way too overheated. I took off my shirt to cool down, then smeared DEET all over myself, because this was serious mosquito country. I would not do that again. Next time, I would only dip my shirt in the river and limit the DEET to my hands and face.

After 15 minutes, DEET had penetrated the skin on my chest and back, and I felt seriously poisoned. I was so weak and numb that my head was spinning. I could barely walk, never mind dealing with bears. Somehow I staggered back down the long trail to the parking lot. There was fresh bear-shit all along the trail, but luckily no bears felt like messing with me that morning.

Lesson learned. Believe the warnings on the label. I was OK next day.

Post: #17

One I've used with great success in the past in very skeeter heavy areas is Avon Skin-So-Soft. No idea what's in that shit, but mosquitos hate it.

The drawback is that other flies like it. I used it when I was on a road crew, and the mosquitos would stay away, but the sand flies would land in it, and then roll around in it, biting you (as they died.)

Post: #18

(05-01-2016 03:43 PM)frozen-ace Wrote:  I'm going out on a hunt, will bring 100 DEET (actually it's 98%), artnaturals Australia tea tree oil from Amazon, and Repel Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellent. I'll report back on how good they work.

any reports yet?

Post: #19

I soaked my clothing in Permethrin before going to SEA. It worked to generally keep them away from me when I wasn't wearing anything. However, it is best coupled with DEET. I used 3M Ultrathon. Probably overkill, but it kept me safe.

Post: #20

(07-29-2016 08:56 PM)bumborass Wrote:  

(05-01-2016 03:43 PM)frozen-ace Wrote:  I'm going out on a hunt, will bring 100 DEET (actually it's 98%), artnaturals Australia tea tree oil from Amazon, and Repel Lemon Eucalyptus insect repellent. I'll report back on how good they work.

any reports yet?

I had it all with me, within an arm's reach away in my bag. It was in the evening, we were cooking on the bank, and i felt the warmth of the sun on my face for the first time in 8 months. When I reached over to grab the spray my hunting partner scoffed at me, said let them bite, rather have a mosquito bite than another day of winter. So I left it at that. I enjoyed the small dose of sunlight, and came home with swollen, itchy hands.

Post: #21

That citronella stuff you can buy in 7-11 in Thailand is ok...

Best to get the deet stuff from Boots or any other chemist.

Mosquitos love me; everyone thinks I'm crazy training Muay Thai in thailand in a T-shirt but I'd rather the extra heat and discomfort than either being bitten or having deet all over my body.

Post: #22

IR3535

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/IR3535

More effective than DEET, very low toxicity, not popular in the US but has been used in Europe for decades. We had this stuff in the field, and it worked well against all insects out there.

Post: #23

Some of these options can work, but the most effective option is just to wear a mesh suit.

Post: #24

I've been to a couple areas with this problem. If you are just going on vacation, the best thing to do is just avoid rainy season. It not a full proof way, but I thought they were no big deal when I was in Thailand for a couple weeks in February. Mosquitos are attracted to body heat also, so best you get an apartment with air conditioning so you can close windows at night.

Post: #25

Rebel Yella Fever