Healthy insect repellent

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Gcckoka

Settler
Nov 13, 2015
818
99
Georgia
Here's a tip some may not know , vinegar is a great insect repellent, especially apple vinegar , it works both to keep mosquitos out and to stop itching after they bit , I'm very sure most of you have it in your home so its good to know , I dont buy any commercial stuff , vinegar always does the job

PS if your wife gets angry or cops pull you over and say you smell like you've been drinking dont blame me :)

Other then that give it a try ;)
 

Billy-o

Native
Apr 19, 2018
1,981
975
Canada
Eucalyptus too apparently. Might be worth planting one if its true.

Don't dousing yourself in vinegar make you smell a bit like a bag of chips?
 

Nice65

Brilliant!
Apr 16, 2009
6,438
2,859
W.Sussex
Eucalyptus too apparently. Might be worth planting one if its true.

Don't dousing yourself in vinegar make you smell a bit like a bag of chips?

Cider vinegar is highly attractive to fruit flies and they’re annoying too, especially when there are swimming lessons going on in your half empty pint :D

As well as the very effective but a bit smoky Stupidly Simple stuff which is all natural, I’ve got a mixture of Cedar oil, Lemon Eucalyptus oil, and Citronella. I don’t put it directly on skin though, just on a tissue or shemagh, trouser hems, hammock seams, outside of sleeping bag etc. At home I’ll wipe a bit around the headboard of the bed and leave the tissue on the bedside. It seems to work well.
 
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Reactions: Robson Valley
Here's a tip some may not know , vinegar is a great insect repellent, especially apple vinegar , it works both to keep mosquitos out and to stop itching after they bit , I'm very sure most of you have it in your home so its good to know , I dont buy any commercial stuff , vinegar always does the job

PS if your wife gets angry or cops pull you over and say you smell like you've been drinking dont blame me :)

Other then that give it a try ;)
Good one, thanks for the heads up.
Keith.
 

tamoko

Full Member
Jun 28, 2009
281
16
Zuerich
bushcraftru.com
Formic acid "wood ants acid" work great and smell not to bad, but any acid not really good for skin "Ph Level".
Better to use oil: Pine nut oil, Eucalyptus oil.
Russian and Scandinavian native used Birch tar mixed with fish oil for human and animals, smell heavy but work pretty good.
The decoction from Elytrigia can help, you can find anywhere very good all round medical plant.
 

Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
12,330
2,293
Grand Cayman, Norway, Sweden
Fish oil is not traditionally used in Scandinavia for this purpose..
Birch oil, the lighter kind of tar, yes. Usually on its own. Smells heavenly!
Shoe waterproofing used to be Birch Tar ( the heavier, dark stuff) mixed with animal fat.
Animal as in Bear, Reindeer.

I do not know about Russian customs and traditions.

Anyway, I would not call it a healthy option though. Tar is carciogenic.

I recommend Wilmas products.

Buy the tar oil and make your own anti mosquito preparation, and leather waterproofing!
 
Last edited:

Robson Valley

Full Member
Nov 24, 2014
9,959
2,664
McBride, BC
Here the local mix seems made from mostly oils of citrus and citronella.
I don't care for the residue on clothing and coats. On cottom balls is OK.
 

Janne

Sent off - Not allowed to play
Feb 10, 2016
12,330
2,293
Grand Cayman, Norway, Sweden
Todays formulation chemists seems to like citrus and citronella.

Family tried the stuff, but the old wood tar based Swedish stuff seemed to be more efficient.

Tobacco smoke, or any smoke, is very efficient too.
 

ianpatt

Member
Feb 26, 2013
31
13
58
Essex
Here's a tip some may not know , vinegar is a great insect repellent, especially apple vinegar , it works both to keep mosquitos out and to stop itching after they bit , I'm very sure most of you have it in your home so its good to know , I dont buy any commercial stuff , vinegar always does the job

PS if your wife gets angry or cops pull you over and say you smell like you've been drinking dont blame me :)

Other then that give it a try ;)
This is a very good tip, I have been using this for years, found this tip in Africa when I was there from the locals, it also works very well for flea treatment on dogs and the smell does not last that long.
 

zackerty

Nomad
Dec 16, 2004
329
70
Christchurch...New Zealand
Half Dettol and half Johnson's Baby Oil in a bottle of a size of your choosing...
I use 100ml plastic with a screw top lid.

Shake before use and apply on exposed skin.
Smells great, and safe for sensitive skins.
 

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