Re: natural repellents to stinging insects

**"Marge Talt" mtalt@hort.net>**

I have not found anything better than Deep Woods Off, which I spray
on my hat and clothing - not my skin.  I do not go out without long
pants and sleeves, no matter what time of year because I would rather
sweat than get eaten alive:-)  In this climate, you're gonna sweat
whether you have much on or not in summer...

Generally, members of the wasp and bee families will not bother
people who do not sit or stand on them or disturb their nests. 
Yellowjackets, included except late in the season....if you leave
them alone, they will leave you alone.  If you disturb one of their
nests, however, you're in big trouble and no repellent will stop you
from getting stung:-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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----------
> From: Marina Blomberg <blombem@gvillesun.com>
> 
> Well, after lurking all this time, I have finally gotten the nerve
to post a message. Since I have learned so much by simply reading the
digest each day, I realize there are lots of experts out there in
garden writer-land, as well as people who actually do a lot of
gardening.
> 
> Now this: I am doing a quick-and-dirty (newspaperspeak) feature for
Saturday (May 18; in time to warm Memorial Day campers as well) on
stinging insects to be encountered in the yard and garden. We're
talking Southern garden, now, since I am writing for North Central
Florida, so Jeff L may or may not have much to offer — which would be
rare...
> 
> The usual suspects will be hornets, yellowjackets, sweat bees or
yellowflies, blackflies, horseflies and the occasional ticked-off
bee. I will also mention  chiggers, scabies and ticks, since we may
encounter them, as well as some stinging caterpillars, like the
saddleback. Mosquitoes are a whole 'nother story, and will be dealt
with separately.
> 
> I want to find out alternatives to DEET as a repellent. OFF! now
has a plant-based repellent. I know Skin-so-Soft is sometimes
recommended (even tho Avon always insists on a disclaimer in there).
How about others? Any herbs? Soaps? Citrus peel rubs? Neem oil?
> 
> I will be contacting my USDA and University experts, but I like to
include anectdotal evidence and even  a little tried-and-true
folklore.
> 
> You can e-mail me off list, if you want.
> 
> Marina Blomberg
> The Gainesville Sun
> blombem@gvillesun.com
> 
> 
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