Homemade Repellent Evaluation

I've been using my homemade repellent for about a month now. The first repellent I made and tried was: Natural Mosquito Repellent #1 (water, isoprophyl alcohol, lemongrass and peppermint). 

* Pros: no deet, nice fresh smell, organic. Peppermint oil =  tick repellent (no ticks!)

* Cons: a few mosquito's bites. 

My son, husband and I all tried the spray. The best advice I have for the homemade repellent is: apply directly to the skin; once dried, reapply. Two coats seemed to be the magic number for us. Mosquito's will still hover and may still bite. If you're not in the deep woods (like we are) I think this spray would work perfectly fine. I would recommend it as a mosquito repellent for less swampy areas or wooded areas, and as a tick repellent.

(Our biggest problem in Northern MN is our mosquito's are mini vampires, and usually don't care if you have strong repellent or weak repellent. They'll try their best to suck your blood, the little devils!)

I'm going to be trying Repellent #2 (rubbing alcohol, olive oil, tea tree oil)  in August to see how that compares. Will report back!

Homemade Repellents

I have found there is really no great way to keep ticks and mosquitos away in Northern MN. Unless of course I take a bath in Off before I go play outside in the gardens. Researching natural homemade method had been on my to-do list since the snow melted but that list was lost, however, a new list was made and the repellents were forgotten...

I was re-inspired by my neighbor, Sarah, to make my own mosquito spray. I am going to have to buy 2 larger spray bottles to try these out, figure out which works best and repost.  I just love trying new things like this. Lucky for me these homemade repellents seem super easy!

Remember, if you haven't tried any of these oils before trying the mixture on a small patch of skin before spraying over your whole body to make sure your skin is not sensitive to the oil and that you're not allergic.

Natural Mosquito Repelling Oils: Lemon, Peppermint, Eucalyptus radiata, Lemongrass, Citronella

Natural Mosquito Repellent Recipe #1-
1. 1/2 tsp. of catnip, peppermint (2ml) or spearmint in a spray bottle.
2. Add 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol and 1 cup of water.
3. Shake well before each use.

Natural Mosquito Repellent Recipe#2-
1. Combine rubbing alcohol (or can use vodka, or olive oil) with an oil listed above or  clove oil, tea tree, cedar oil)
2. Use a 10 to 1- alcohol-to-oil ratio.
3. Shake well before each use.

Natural Tick Repelling Oils: Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme

Natural Tick Repellent:
1. Mix 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water.
2. Add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. (peppermint and citrus oils give off a strong crisp scent that also repel ticks)
3. After mixing the solution, spray onto clothing, skin, and hair.
4. Reapply approximately every four hours.

 

Dog Repellent

I love dogs.

I do not love poop.

We do not have a dog yet so realistically we should not have dog poop in my yard. Right?!

Wrong...the neighbor dog sees it differently.

We have an amazing yard of thick, plush, green grass. It's no wonder he wants to relieve himself in our yard! But it's not just on the grass, it's on the snow... in our yard. And if the snow is too high the driveway seems to suit him perfectly fine.

We plan on creating a large garden this year and I would also like to keep deer, raccoons, skunks etc. out of this area. So, the neighbor dog and any other wandering dogs or critters, will have a bit of a surprise this spring. I have found organic repellents that will only irritate and not harm the animals, and product that should help keep my yard poo-free!

Now, for the snow to melt so I can see if these actually work...

Natural and Homemade:

CHILI PEPPER:

One of the most common and effective dog repellents. It is commonly found in commercial organic dog repellents. The capsicum in the pepper will irritate the skin of the dog, especially around the nose. The irritation will deter the dog from returning to the area. Chili pepper powder sprinkled around the are will help repel all dogs.

AMMONIA:

Dogs are not fond of the smell of ammonia. Place ammonia soaked cotton balls around the area you wish to keep the dog out of. Do not pour ammonia directly onto the ground as it may hurt plants and grass.

VINEGAR:

Vinegar is another strong smelling scent that will act as a repellent to dogs. Again, use cotton balls soaked in vinegar in the area you wish to keep dogs out of. Do not pour vinegar straight onto the ground as it will kill the plants.

RUBBING ALCOHOL:

Another strong smelling substance that will repel dogs. Same advice applies here as well. Soak cotton balls in he rubbing alcohol and place them in areas you wish to keep dogs out of.

CITRUS SMELLS:

Some dogs do not like the smell of citrus fruit, such as orange or lemon. If the above strong smelling solutions are too strong smelling try cutting up some citrus fruit and placing them around the garden. Citrus oils may also work.

(from http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/)

*Remember to reapply after heavy period of rain which will wash away the powders or liquids and their smells!

For Purchase:

Scram for Dogs(TM) is an excellent repellent and training aid for your pet or for intruding animals. The product will prevent dogs from digging holes in gardens or near fences. It will mask odors hat attract dogs to habitually visited areas for urinating/defecating on lawns, near curbs, around garbage cans and in flower beds.

FOR OUTDOOR USE ONLY

Provides 600 sq. feet of protection per pound.

Organic formula provides strong, natural repelling power without harming people, pets or the environment.

Scram for Dogs product is exempt from federal EPA pesticide registration under Reg.25(b) of FIFRA.

To Use:

1) Remove existing feces prior to applying.

2) Before applying, turn bag upside down and shake the bag vigorously.

3) Apply by shaking granules in and around the area to be protected. The product should repel dogs immediately and quickly train them to avoid treated areas. If necessary reapply as needed until product is effective and avoidance is demonstrated.

4) Once repelling action is well established, reapply every two or three weeks. Reapply after heavy rains.

(from http://www.scramfordogs.com/)