LymeNet Flash: Are there any non-toxic tick/bug repellents?

This is topic Are there any non-toxic tick/bug repellents? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/35266

Posted by earthgirl (Member # 7314) on :

Do any of you know of an effective insect repellent that doesn't use DEET or other toxic chemical? Please share if you do!

I am chemically-sensitive and have always had a tough time using DEET products. I love the outdoors and starting to have some good days (after 2 months of abx) and dying to go for a a "safe" walk in the woods!

Thanks,
-s.

Posted by lymeloco on :

quote:
Originally posted by earthgirl:
Do any of you know of an effective insect repellent that doesn't use DEET or other toxic chemical? Please share if you do!
I am chemically-sensitive and have always had a tough time using DEET products. I love the outdoors and starting to have some good days (after 2 months of abx) and dying to go for a a "safe" walk in the woods!
Thanks,
-s.

Lemon Eucalptus oil. I have the Off Botanicals with Eucalptus in it.

Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :

I have read several times that DEET is not a good repellent for ticks. I spray all the shoes in my home with permethrin. It kills ticks on contact. I spray the shoes outside and let them dry before I bring them back inside. Sawyer is one brand.

There is clothing called Buzz Off which is treated with permethrin.. Orvis and LLBean carry it.

I believe the US military uses clothing treated the same.

Posted by Foggy (Member # 1584) on :

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100531&navAction=jump&navCount=1&id=prod374719
http://www.tendercorp.com/natrapel.html

Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :

A Prospective Cross-Over Field Trial Shows Protection of Lemon
Eucalyptus Extract Against Tick Bites

Authors: Ann Gardulf; Ingrid Wohlfart; Rolf Gustafson

Source: Journal of Medical Entomology, November 2004, vol. 41, no. 6,
pp. 1064-1067(4)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

Abstract:
Ixodes ricinus can transmit several microorganisms, out of which
Borrelia burgdorferi and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus are the
most important pathogens in humans. A lemon eucalyptus extract
(Citriodiol) has been shown to be a natural repellent against
mosquitoes, stable flies, and midges. We have investigated whether the
use of the extract would reduce the number of attached I. ricinus ticks
in humans. A volunteer sample of 111 individuals was recruited among
healthy, outdoor active adults living in two highly I.
ricinus-infested areas. They were randomly divided into two groups:
one group applied the Citriodiol spray daily for 2 wk to the lower
extremities, whereas the other group was instructed not to use any type
of repellent on any part of the body. After 2 wk, the scheme was
reversed. All volunteers filled in a daily diary, giving information
about outdoor activities and the number of observed, attached, or not
yet attached ticks, including the anatomical location of the ticks
found. Forty-two attached ticks were reported during the weeks when the
Citriodiol spray was used, and 112 were reported when it was not. The
median number of reported attached ticks per person decreased from 1.5
(range, 0-9) to 0.5 (range, 0-2; P < 0.05) during the weeks when
the repellent was used. The number of reported attached ticks noted
below the waist was 13/42 (31%) during the period when the spray was
used and 73/112 (65%) when no spray was used (P < 0.001). No evident
redistribution of attached ticks from protected areas to unprotected
areas was seen. Citriodiol may become a useful means in reducing the
number of tick bites and thereby tick-borne infections, although
additional studies are warranted.

Posted by Lyddie on :

Avon Skin-so-Soft ....comes in different strengths, scented and unscented. Recommended in the Lyme Fdn. book and we are using it.

Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :

Where can you get the Lemon
Eucalyptus Extract?

The sites foggy pointed to-they dont have this, they have citronella-very different.

Is OFF botanicals the only source? Is it concentrated enough?

Trails

Posted by lymeloco on :

quote:
Originally posted by trails:
Where can you get the Lemon
Eucalyptus Extract?
The sites foggy pointed to-they dont have this, they have citronella-very different.
Is OFF botanicals the only source? Is it concentrated enough?
Trails

You can get it at health food stores, and on-line. Amazom.com is one I know of.
I believe there are many more places on-line.
I read c.d.c. is recommending it also.
Good Luck finding it.

Posted by Beverly (Member # 1271) on :

Hi,

I use permethrin on cloths and shoes, but I have not found anything that works good on the skin.

I used Repel brand Lemon Eucalyptus lotion..and I found a tick on the nape of my son's neck..and I rubbed the stuff in his hair.

So I am looking for soemthing that works too...right now I don't want to even go for a walk in the woods anymore...not unless I am completely covered in cloths.

Good luck.

Posted by earthgirl (Member # 7314) on :

Thanks everyone!
Anyone else with specific recommendations for products (and where to get them)?
-s.

Posted by ivebinlymed2 (Member # 7330) on :

Hi earthgirl, I would like to second Lyddie on Avon's repellent. They have repellent which is citronela based with 4 secret natural ingredients that boost the citronela's effectiveness.

They have formulas with sunscreen 15 and 30 spf.. They also have wipes (you can get several uses out of one wipe and sprays with and without spf..

Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner recommends it in her book as the best. She followed an entemologist that studied the stuff and found it to be the safest and best repellent.

So safe that it doesn't need to be washed off at night before bed, unlike the other deet containing products. The new formulas have a nice scent, better than the skin so soft oil you grew up with.

We started using it as soon as we suspected Lyme in our daughter. So far so good! I have really been helping my avon lady's business. I tell all of my friends about it! Take care!

Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :

http://www.bugrepel.com/

I am using this.

Posted by Sue vG (Member # 3143) on :

Here's the tried-and-true Boy Scout approach:
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/034644.html

Posted by sapphire (Member # 4599) on :

I have heard that catnip is one of the best natural repellants around. As of yet i have not found catnip essential oil anywhere, but Id imagine that you can grow your own and crush a leaf and rub it on your skin and clothes