I just have to share this & thank whichever mama on here I read this from in the first place...
Vanilla Extract & Water makes the BEST mosquito repellant I've ever used (and I've tried everything!), and it's safe for the little ones & pets too!
I was a bit skeptical, but decided to try mixing a few drops of vanilla extract with water in an old little Bath & Body Works bottle. Sprayed it all over myself before hubby & I went out to do some yard work. Let me say... I usually become a feast, and he doesn't get bit at all. This time, the tables were turned- he was getting eaten alive and I hadn't noticed any bugs at all!! So he went back in & sprayed down, and no more bites!
I also tried spraying this outside around where we were working when we were trying to fix our doorbell after dark... The moths even stopped coming to the light!! Also tried spraying all over the backyard for a BBQ- got rid of all the bugs in just a few minutes!! YAAAYYYY!!!
I am so excited about this, I am telling EVERYONE! I hate using all those chemicals around my family, and my baby (5mos) is apparently just as tasty as I am, and this solution will be safe for him too!
Thanks again to the mama who originally posted this- I AM SO IMPRESSED & EXTREMELY EXCITED!!
Now.. if anyone has a solution to the gnats (or fruit flies?) my hubby & older son have let in by leaving the foor open, I would really appreciate it! I did try the vanilla; didn't work. LOL
The mama who put in the original post suggested a couple of drops per ounce, but considering how tasty we are... I put about 1 tblsp in the little purse-sized bottle I had from B&BW. You used to be able to buy little travel-size spray bottles with the travel-size things for shampoo, etc, but I just happenned to have an empty bottle on hand from a vanilla body spray. =o)
For the backyard, I got one of those spray bottles from Home Depot that you can use to spray the chemicals, and put about 4oz (2 big bottles of the natural vanilla extract) in it. Not sure if it will work with imitation...
Apparently the bugs don't like the scent of vanilla. Here all these years I've spent avoiding wearing my vanilla body sprays when I'll be outside thinking the sweet scent would attract the bugs. Go figure!
HAPPY BUG-FREE SUMMER, MAMAS!
Wow, thanks so much! I must have missed that other post. I have actually been online for the last couple of days looking for info on safe bugsprays, and not having much luck.
How weird. It really works? I wonder why! What is the percentage mixture that works?
Thanks so much for posting this!!! my kids are allergis to bug spray,sunscreen and bugs! This is definately going to be tried out today at my house. I'm sorry i cant help you with the gnats except to say put all food away and bleach the sinks, drains and garbage pails to keep them from multiplying. Good luck.
S.
THANK YOU! I will try it for sure! We love going for walks in the evening with our son and we on the water so the bugs are horrible...but its those little black "no see ums" that get us..wonder if it will work on them...I will try!!
THANKS for sharing!!!
Thank you so much. This is very helpful information.
My family and I will try this out.
= )
Gotta try this!!! Thanks for the suggestion.
Fruit flies love having a little saloon set up – a small water glass with a couple of tablespoons of some sweet liquor (we use a cheap sherry). Add a few drops of dish detergent so when they fall in, they can't get out. Leave the glass on a counter or window sill where it won't be disturbed often. We collect a dozen or so per day, and usually get a problem cleared out in a matter of days. I've heard cider vinegar also works, but haven't gotten such great results with that.
Be aware that there's a skinnier fungus gnat that won't fall for the saloon. Look this one up on the internet for ideas – often they are related to potting soil in house plants. Can't recall whether you're supposed to drench the soil or let it dry out more.
Awesome! I hate the chemicals too and my entire family apparently has sweet blood. We're headed to your neck of the woods (Galveston) in a couple months and you know how bad the mosquitos are down there...we'll definitely be trying this. Thanks so much for the tip! =)
Thank you so much for sharing this!! I was just looking at all the bug repellants in the store, and I have walked to the counter a couple times with something in my hand, only to put it back after having decided that I didn't want to expose my son (or me) to the chemicals in it!
So you just mix a few drops of vanilla extract with water in a spray bottle about the size of a B&BW bottle, and that's it?
Brilliant!!! Plus, I LOVE the smell of vanilla, so that's a bonus!
