Citronella Candles

[cfulhage]

I'm obviously assuming that our fids should not be exposed to these bug repelling candles, but can they safely be used on my patio with Ollie inside? I'm asking because Ollie's cage is in the corner right next to our sliding door to the patio. Will the fumes that may get inside when the door is opened harm her? Or the scent that gets on us? Should I just deal with little buggie bites?

[The Outlaw]

Camille:

I gotta tell ya, they simply don't work. I tried using them for years and only managed to infuriate the little buggers. I think they bit me twice as hard and my hair smelled awful. I'm sure there HAVE to be more effective mosquito chasers by now. Frankly, I've had better luck taking a Bounce dryer sheet and rubbing it on my exposed skin and tucking one in my shirt. Give that a shot.

[Lori L]

Also "Skin so Soft" by Avon is an awesome bug repellent as well as it has many other uses. It's a body oil with a non-offensive odor, makes your skin soft and in the process keeps the bugs away using no terrible chemicals like DEET etc. Check it out: http://www.kitchencraftsnmore.net/skinsosoft.html

[jimpierce7]

fabric softener/static clean cloth cloth from the dryer. Bounce thats it. I read not long ago the bounce is real good for gettin rid of bugs.

[felisdomesticus]

I use Off spray. It's not good for birds but, by the time I need to use it, Scar is in her cage for the night.

[cfulhage]

Yeah my grandma sells Avon, so I have tons of that bug repellent lotion. I'll give the Bounce sheets a try. I just hate seeing them flitting around whether they're biting me or not. They drive me nuts!

[MandysBlackRoses]

There is some new propane powered bug repellant thing being sold. And it KICKS BUTT! My mother has one for outside her house. It has no smell to it that I remember... They started out really exspensive, but last year they were selling for around $100. They are trully worth it if you live up here in Mesquito HELL!!!!

[CrazyBirdLady]

There is also a plant called, oddly enough, a mosquito plant. Relative of the geranium family, which does repel mosquitoes. No smell to harm birds and animals (course I don't imagine you want them eating it), but I have seen it personally and it's an "all natural" alternative. I believe it does actual have citronella flowing through it's "Veins".
Other plants that repel mosquitoes are:
Marigolds
Rosemary (good to eat also)
Ageratum
Catnip (course you might attract feline pests with this...hehehe)
and a plant called Texas bubblegum mint

You do have to crush some leaves for the "repellent" to be released.

[dgcashier]

I think there are little electronic do-dads that hang around your neck or fit around you wrist...haven't tried them though, so not sure if they work or not.
Pat

[jimpierce7]

I remember when I was in the Boy Scouts (way back before they were controversial) my scout master told me the one sure fire way to have no bugs.





move to Antarctica.........the bum!!