Letters To The Editor

Last week we put out a call for our readers to write in with their recipes for natural insect repellents. As always, our readers are top-notch and never disappoint! Thank you to all who responded!

Dear Editor,

There are number of herbs that you can grow in your own back backyard (including Texas) that are good to repel insects. Some of the nicest scents include those of Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, and some of the geranium family, of which I believe citronella is one. (Eating lots of garlic is said to help, as well, and is usually best at keeping away pesky friends.) You can grow these in pots or the flower beds. Having them placed around your sitting area will help keep the mosquitoes away somewhat or you can crush them and rub on your skin, just make sure you don’t have allergic reaction to them by first rubbing a small amount somewhere like the inside of your wrist  or elbow and waiting a day or so. Also there is a shrub for wet areas called tyty, which is supposed to good for insect repellent as well.

J-

Dear Editor,

I had a pest problem that drove me crazy for months. I was just about to set myself on fire before I discovered this all natural solution. I found lots of uses as it works incredibly well for all types of insects and other pests. The Army even uses it exclusively with terrific results. It is the most natural and effective pest control product I have ever used: Cedarcide.

John

Dear Editor,

We live in the country in north Florida. We use Avon Skin So Soft as a bug repellent, on the skin, as well as mixing it half and half with water and put it in a spray bottle to spray the horse and dogs. It keeps the flies, biting yellow flies and mosquitoes from bothering the horse, re-do it every 3 days or so, *unless it rains, then sooner. We put it on full strength for ourselves. Just tell your readers to stock up on the large size bottle and it is often on sale for about $7.00

Totally natural repellent we were told about was a plant’s leaves that the Seminole Indians use to rub on their skin, not sure of the name but it really stinks! Also told of mixing lemon ammonia half and half with water in squirt bottle to spray the area where you are cooking out or picnicking. It works , but not for long.

C-

Dear Editor,

I live in Arizona’s High Desert and formerly lived in West Texas, and grew my own insect repellants. Here are several herbs that I have grown in BOTH locations that work well. Pennyroyal (although pregnant women should avoid pennyroyal, as it is an abortifacient), yarrow, and lemon balm (in fact, ANY lemon-scented herbs) are just a few. Mint is also helpful in repelling ants and mice. One technique that helps in growing these herbs in BOTH locations, due to the dry conditions and amount of caliche in the soil, is to use raised beds, with LOTS of compost, drip irrigation, and LOTS of mulch to suppress weeds and reduce evaporation.

V-

And then there were the one-liners of helpful products:

• Water and molasses (25:1 ratio)
• Listerine and water
• Sulphur
• Diatomaceous earth

Once again, thanks to all our readers!

If you’d like to contact the editor, please send an email to [email protected]