Natural mosquito protection

[BaliLife]

hi all, i don't know if this is 'common knowledge' but a while ago one of our sus's told us that minyak sereh (lemongrass oil) is a good mosquito repellent.. we've been using it for over 6 months now on the kids (and on me too when i don't want to be bitten) and i must say, it works incredibly well.. after the kids have their shower at night, they get it rubbed on the exposed parts of their bodies..

where we live in surabaya is thick with mosquitoes. if you walk outside for 2 minutes at night, you'll definitely be bitten, but over the last week i've done several test runs and sat outside each time for 1/2 an hour covered in minyak sereh - not one bite..

and finally, it's cheap.. we buy small bottles here (100ml i think) for 2000Rp, but that's from a mall and i've seen it cheaper elsewhere..

it sure beats the diesel like smell of aeroguard..

ct

[tintin]

But I LOOOVVE the diesel smell: it reminds me of when I was a cook on one of the Kriegsmarine U-boats :lol:

[BaliLife]

Hi tin,

I know you're kidding but in all seriousness I'd suggest aeroguard smells even worse than diesel..

I googled minyak sereh and some pages indicated that it is in fact citronella, which is what I believe is used in the rather expensive mosquito patches..

Ct

[lumumba]

Just read this.

Not link here, I just save a copy for myself.

Subject: FW: Mosquitoes!!! Interesting!!!
Mosquito Spray...Worth a try
I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby. During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....Pass it on.
OUR FRIEND'S COMMENTS: I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors. It works - in fact, it killed them instantly. I bought my bottle from Target and it cost me $1.89. It really doesn't take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not as expensive to use as the can of Bug-spray you buy that doesn't last 30 minutes. So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days. Don't spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray around the frame.. Spray around the window frames, and even inside the dog house.
Regards

[BaliLife]

Hi lumumba, I heard this recently also. Will have to try it.

Ct

[bolli]

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/medica ... terine.htm
and
http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/dishsoap.asp
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

[mimpimanis]

Interesting... wasnt that posted word for word as someones actual experience, "over there" :wink:

Got to love urban legends :lol:

[BaliLife]

Actually now I recall where my mom said she read it.. In a forwarded email.. She (and I it turns out) are such suckers for that I guess..

Ct

[Roy]

Back to the lemongrass oil, one can also plant lemongrass around their yard/compound as this tends to cut down the amount of mosquitoes as well. They seem to be adverse to the plant as well as the oil. Cheers

[BaliLife]

Thanks Roy, that's good to know.

Cheers,

Ct