Insect Repellent and treatment

[your_comforting_company]

We have a eucalyptus tree growing. I've tried extracting oils from it by boiling and skimming, but not very productive. I've tried making incense from it but couldn't get it to burn. Any tips on either of these would really help.
Are there any other plants / trees that have insect repellent properties that I might try?
what about treatments for bites? fire ants are really pretty aggressive and so are the mammoth mosquitos we have down here in the swampy areas. I need to increase my knowledge in this area.

So lets hear what you guys do. please, no store-bought remedies. Lets keep it limited to things you can find in the bush and make yourself, please.

[crashdive123]

Although I haven't tried this, you might find it useful. http://chemistry.about.com/od/health...orepellent.htm I know you are looking for a natural solution, but for me, the chances of mosquito borne diseases is too great - that's why I use deet.

[LindyLu]

If you have jewel weed growing in your area, it makes a wonderful anti-itch soap or salve or just a "tea" rinse. The entire plant is useful. It won't keep critter away but really does work on bites or poison ivy. I know you want natural but if you tuck a Bounce (fabric softener) sheet in your collar or hat, it will keep biting bugs away. Listerine (original) in a spray bottle works great and most of all, a flock of guineas will keep insects under control. Hope that helps.
LindyLu

[Rick]

You might try Pineapple Weed. You can rub the leaves on your skin to serve as both a repellent and to relieve the itching. You can also make a tea with Black Walnut that repels insects.

(Why did I not remember this a couple of days ago!? Grrrrrr.)

[RangerXanatos]

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...lder+pine+cone

Post 20 and then post 36
Basically says that a smoldering pinecone will keep the the little buggers away.

[Rick]

Oh, you bet. I have done that and it works quite well. Better than shouting RAID!

[RangerXanatos]

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ight=pinecones

Post 3 number 58.
To keep mosquitoes away rub the inside of an orange peel on face, arms and legs.

[Old GI]

1. Best use was mixing insect repellant in the little can of peanut butter for fire .... Oh, nevermind.

2. Best way to deal with insects is to stay in a Holiday Inn Express; well, maybe not.

Just a little levity, guys.

[Ole WV Coot]

Sassafras leaves help some rubbed on, I stick with Crash Deet is the only way to go.

[your_comforting_company]

i'm gonna have to try the pineapple weed and the smoldering pinecone tricks. I have used smoldering red cedar as a deterrent before.
thanks guys, I'll let you know how well they work very soon!
..now I gotta find some pineapple weed.

anybody tried lady's thumb as a repellent? I know it works on poison ivy rash, and I just happen to know where some is growing

[Rick]

I tried my wife's thumb until she jabbed me in the eye.

[your_comforting_company]

just an update
The pinecone trick works well if you keep the smoke rolling on you. Not like all in your face, but just kind of waft it around you every once in a while. might not be a good idea while hunting, but works at the camp very well.

still haven't found jewelweed

I harvested a couple sassafras the other day because the leaves are turning yellow so it's a good time to get the root. I stuck a skint root in each of my front shirt pockets and the skeeters didn't seem to get around my face and chest as much while hunting. rubbing the leaves on my hands and arms didn't seem to help much, so I tried a bit of the root for that too. It helps but it's definately not "deep woods off" lol.

thanks for the tips guys!

[Rick]

Jewelweed is generally found on the edge of the woods and almost always where it's damp ground or close to water. I have found it in the woods but it seems like it was in an open woods.

Depending on how winter is progressing where you live it might have dropped it's flowers by now. It blooms all summer, however.

[rwc1969]

Jewelweed is great for curing skeeter bites. Plantain is supposed to work as well. I tried it twice and it didn't work as good as jewelweed.

I rubbed Wild leek leaves on my arms and face and stuffed the leaves in my pockets, hat and such. It worked better than nothing, but I had to keep re-applying it every half hour or so..

[wildWoman]

Balm of Gilead works somewhat - steep the sticky buds of cottonwood trees (harvest in winter) in hot olive oil for about 1 1/2 hours (cover container so the essential oils don't evaporate), then strain, add some beeswax if you like. This makes a good base for just about any creme or oil because the buds' resin acts is a natural preservative and will help to prevent rancidity. And it smells soooo good!
Many (most?) people develop a resistance to mosquito bites after been stung enough - they don't itch anymore. But the bugs still get on your case.

[sgtdraino]

I have heard that Tea Tree oil can be an effective insect repellent:

http://www.teatreewonders.com/insect-repellent.html

As well as useful for all manner of other things:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_tree_oil

But of course nothing comes close to the effectiveness of DEET.

[your_comforting_company]

Thanks SGT. thats good info.
I wonder how many folks have found a tea tree in the woods. Is a 'tea olive' tree the same thing?

Looks like I gotta hit the books and the trails again, see if I can find this special tree. It has a lot of other uses besides insects.

thanks again!

[sgtdraino]

Thanks SGT. thats good info.
I wonder how many folks have found a tea tree in the woods.

lol. Probably not too many. It looks to be native to Australia.

Is a 'tea olive' tree the same thing?

Not as far as I can tell:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca_alternifolia

Seems like your best bet might be to acquire some of these trees and see if you can cultivate them in your area.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

OK YCC I am surprised you haven't asked some of the oldtimers in the area yet. They would've told you about the Southern Wax Myrtle Myrica cerifera . They probably refer to it as "Myrckle" bushes or something similar. It is a VERY COMMON bush to small tree in size. It has several uses - Wax for scented candles, Leaves for seasoning in place of bay leaves,AND many people plant it around their dog kennels/yards to keep insects(mostly fleas and ticks) away. You could try some of the wax mixed with an oil or grease to make a salve. In the woods just crush/bruise the leaves and rub on exposed skin.

[Rick]

I have never heard of that plant. According to NC University..."Colonists made bayberry candles by boiling the berries and collecting the floating wax, then pouring it into candle molds or hand-dipping wicks. Crushed leaves of waxmyrtle rubbed on the skin serve as a mosquito repellent, and many coastal residents place waxmyrtle boughs under their beds to repel fleas and other insects. Waxmyrtle leaves placed in the flour bin are said to repel meal moths." But then again, what do the folks in NC know?

Nice post, Poco.

Source: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/c...me/Myricce.htm