Gypsy Jan - 5-14-2005 at 10:38 PM
What about this idea that if you fill a baggie with water and nail it to the top of an open door, window, etc., the flies will be scared away?
I've heard several emphatic affirmations as well as, "Doesn't work, no way, no how!"
try this cheap thrill
yankeeirishman - 5-15-2005 at 06:47 AM
Yeah.... Just like when everyone used to put their plastic milk cartons (filled with water and bleach) on their lawns...to keep the dogs from doing
their duty. The dog?s just pee'd the on cartons, and little new mounds appeared. So much for the thousands of cartons we use to look at.
The most common -- and most effective -- natural insect repellents are various essential oils. Clove oil and citronella (rose geranium) are the most
effective against mosquitoes, but be careful with clove oil and use it sparingly -- it can be a skin irritant. Other fairly effective essential oils
include: Lemon grass, eucalyptus, castor oil, peppermint, tea tree oil, lavender, and cedar. You can buy cedar oil in spray-on bottles at your local
pet store.
You can make your own insect repellent sprays by combining rubbing alcohol (or witch hazel, vodka, or olive oil) with one of the listed essential oils
(about 10-to-1, alcohol-to-oil ratio).
To make a lotion, use: 2 ounces distilled water, 2 ounces olive oil, and about 120 drops essential oil. Put the water into a deep mixing bowl, and
using a wire whip, begin beating quickly while slowly drizzling in the olive oil. After oil is mixed into the distilled water, stir in the essential
oil of your choice (citronella is probably the most effective for insect repellent use).
backninedan - 5-15-2005 at 07:38 AM
Any leftovers can be drizzled over a salad for a yummy treat.