LymeNet Flash: Recommendations for good insect repellant?

This is topic Recommendations for good insect repellant? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by laura j (Member # 14257) on :

Spring is coming and I want to protect myself and family.

Any recommendations on what kind of insect repellant to apply on ourselves?

My daughter is only 2 so I don't know if there is something out there that is not so toxic that works well?

Thanks a bunch!!

Laura [Big Grin]

Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :

ONLY one product... after years of trying... that I found good to use and that actually works.

It is by Avon.

It is called "Bug Guard" Expedition. UNSCENTED!!

Spray can... light mist and not oily... good stuff.

I can't use regular DEET products anymore.

Also.. treat clothing and shoes with Permanone that is made specifically for treating clothes. (Other kinds for skin.. but get the kind for clothing.)

It is unscented also.. lasts up to 2 weeks and the clothes that are treated can be washed with babies clothes. I use the "Repel" brand.

Tip- wait till the spring catalog comes out. Buying the Avon Bug Guard in the winter cost me $12.00 a can!!!

In the spring it has usually been on sale for 5-6 dollars.

[Big Grin]

Posted by laura j (Member # 14257) on :

Thanks a bunch Tincup!!!

Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :

Brewer's yeast is supposed to repel fleas and ticks. Actually, it's good for a lot of things apparently. I have some, but it makes me sick.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0002/ai_2603000229

Pet owners have known about the ability of brewer's yeast ability to repel ticks and fleas for many years. Wafers that contain brewer's yeast can be given to animals for this purpose. Powdered brewer's yeast may be sprinkled on the animal's food also. The large amounts of thiamine in brewer's yeast may act to repel mosquitoes from humans as well.

Posted by yanivnaced (Member # 13212) on :

REPEL brand repels ticks. It's active ingredient is oil of Lemon-Eucalyptus.

Posted by clairenotes (Member # 10392) on :

Interesting discussion from last spring:

http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=054999

Claire

Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :

We must have very hearty bugs down in the deep south.

Deet does not deter our mosquitos and I had it heavily applied

When I found a nymph attached to the back of my knee during summer.

The Avon product is good, but our bugs bite anyways.

Must be all those collard greens and corn bread.

We must taste good! [Big Grin]

For me, repeated tick checks during the day and in the evening are a must.

Hugs,

Geneal

Posted by laura j (Member # 14257) on :

Thanks everyone!

Last year I didn't use a lot of repellant on her b/c at the time I thought the repellant was worse than some mosquito bites because it was toxic.

Stupid me! Now I know Lyme can be transmitted via mosquito bites as well as a bunch of other nasty things.

I will slather it on her this year!!!

Posted by yanivnaced (Member # 13212) on :

REPEL is not toxic as far as I know. It is plant based and recommended by the CDC as a tick repellant!

Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :

Someone from New Hampshire said that when she used grapefruit oil extract on herself, the dog, the house and the yard, no more ticks.

Posted by laura j (Member # 14257) on :

I'm really steering toward the REPEL or Bug Guard then if it they don't have DEET since DEET doesn't necessarily work that well anyway as Geneal said.

I'd rather avoid the chemicals if possible.

And thanks for telling me about the permanone Tincup. I hadn't heard of that.

Is "REPEL" sold at regualar stores like Wal-Mart?

Posted by yanivnaced (Member # 13212) on :

REPEL is available at Wal-mart and Target in the summer months. I just bought some at drugstore.com.