SC - Insect repellants

[Elaine Koogler]

That rings true...I was told some years ago that I could hang bunches of
pennyroyal in my pavillion to help drive away flies.  Thanks for the reminder.
I'll have to try growing some next summer for use at Pennsic!!  I understand
eucalyptus works well also...and that can be purchased anywhere they sell
dried/silk flowers for arrangement.

Kiri

"Sara K. Tallarovic" wrote:

> Hello!  I've been lurking on the list for a while now, gathering recipes
> and cooking tips, and Q wanted to share a finding on the topic of biting
> insects.  I once happened upon a great combination of insect repelling oils
> while camping in the AnTir woods (the Cascades of Oregon to be exact).  I
> had a small collection of essential oils that I had gotten for different
> reasons...citronella oil (originally purchased both for mosquito repellant
> and to repel my cats from things I didn't want them in), and also rosemary
> oil and pennyroyal* oil, both for homemade hair conditioners.  I tossed
> them all into my camping bag since the labels had rubbed off and I didn't
> have time to open each one to find the citronella.  Our campsite had
> mosquitos as well as biting flies (deer flies, maybe?) and those
> excruciatingly annoying black flies that buzz around your head and drive
> you mad.  I dabbed a few drops of each oil on in sequence and suddenly I
> was free of bugs of ALL kinds!  The mosquitos were most likely repelled by
> the citronella (which I put on first), but it was definitely the rosemary
> and/or the pennyroyal* that seemed to best repel the flies (and they seemed
> to work best together).  The poor dog was trying to nap but was being
> harassed relentlessly by black flies, so I gave him a dab of rosemary
> between the ears and one near the tail and the next thing I knew he was
> also bug free and happily napping.  Other folks with me also tried it much
> to their relief.  If you are looking for herbal insect repellents, these 3
> oils worked quite well combined, not to mention they smelled rather nice.
>
> *A note of caution regarding pennyroyal oil:  It is for external use
> only!  It is extremely dangerous to take the oil internally (I hear it can
> kill you), so never use it anywhere that it could be consumed, and maybe
> even be very careful about the amount used, lest it absorb in large
> quantity through the skin.  I wouldn't recommend using it on a pet or a
> small child.
>
> Cheers!
> -Shu'la
>
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