Mosquito control

Beth54 · Guru

Mosquito control

Beth54 · Guru

I don't know if this works, but I'm going to give it a try at home. I don't know how you'd get along carrying it if you're a fulltime nomad.

Happywanderer · The Master

A great idea Beth but impossible in my van.
I am growing 3 little pots with herbs in them on kitchen bench. If they survive will take them with me..

Happywanderer · The Master

Yes, Lynda did have quite a few. She did offer me some offcuts but at the time I had nothing to put them in.
Must hunt around for a holder for them.

GaryKelly · Guru

I have a friend who lives in New Caledonia who swears by citronella essence. A couple of drops on a pillow lasts for days. I have citronella wrist/ankle bands that I bought cheap on eBay... 50 for $10 and each one lasts a week or so. They're in sealed packs so they stay fresh.

Dunmowin · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
I don't know if this works, but I'm going to give it a try at home. I don't know how you'd get along carrying it if you're a fulltime nomad.

Yes. A bit hard when on the road full time. I currently have a trough with chives and thyme, and three pots with basil, parsley and mint. I have enough trouble passing this by Mr D when we are packing up and moving on. If we also had the mosquito control garden as well, I think he may well divorce me. When ever we cross a state border, I dump them, find the nearest hardware or nursery, and start again from scratch.

Our mosquito/fly control is to burn sandalwood sticks or incense.

-- Edited by Dunmowin on Saturday 7th of September 2013 09:38:02 PM

The dog lady · Guru

My parents used to put a dab of pure citronella oil on each of us kids and it worked really well. But you have to get the pure stuff from the chemist. Personally I'm lucky in that mozzies seem not to like me and I have no reaction or itching if I do get the occasional bite. But my granddaughter gets eaten alive and comes up in big welts, so I got some citronella oil for her and it works as well as I remembered from when I was a kid. Smells a bit strong, but it works so who cares Much as I'd like to I can't use incense as I've become allergic to it. Same for mozzie coils.

I'm always taking cuttings when I come across plants I want to try at home, and I've found that sealing the cuttings in a freezer bag with a few sheets of wet paper towel keeps them alive and viable for weeks.

Cheers

-- Edited by The dog lady on Monday 9th of September 2013 03:08:48 AM

countryroad · Senior Member

Does the sandalwood and incense actually work,

Think I could cope with the sandalwood but not fond of incense burning away, but perhaps the mossies don't like it either so stay away.

I had such a laugh re the state borders with the plants. Maybe you should check the 1st bin as someone may have done the same coming the other way.

Cheers
Robyn

Dunmowin · Guru

countryroad wrote:
Does the sandalwood and incense actually work,

Think I could cope with the sandalwood but not fond of incense burning away, but perhaps the mossies don't like it either so stay away.

I had such a laugh re the state borders with the plants. Maybe you should check the 1st bin as someone may have done the same coming the other way.

Cheers
Robyn

the sandal wood sticks definitely works for us and I think the incense just drives them a bit balmy.

Regarding my herbs, usually by the time we reach a border, they need replacing anyway. If you weigh up the cost of buying a couple of punnets, planting them and watching them grow, against buying a bunch of, say, parsley, using a few springs a few times, then having to throw the rest out, my little garden bed of parsley, chives, basil, mint and thyme wins every time. If I were to meet someone coming the other way, yes, I would happily pass them on, however, I need to keep the pots to start again.

Sheba · Guru

I still like Eucalyptus Oil or Spray. It's always on hand, and really works. I used to soak Candle wicks in it and burn them outside of the Van up the Cape, and if one happens to get inside, [ you know how they buzz around your head ?] a few drops on the Pillow case, gets rid of it in a minute.

Cheers,

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 9th of September 2013 06:42:28 PM

Beth54 · Guru

My brother swears by Citronella in a burner, rather than a candle or whatever else. He puts several around the perimeter of their van and lights them all as the sun gets lower. It looks a bit like survivor, Les style.

So I carry one of those in the van. I've also used mozzie coils, which stink, and sandalwood sticks, which smell nicer, but get a bit exxy. There's a lot of mozzies where I live so if I want to sit outside, I always have to light one.

So I thought these plants may be a more economical way, in the long run.

the rocket · Guru

Sheba wrote:
I still like Eucalyptus Oil or Spray. It's always on hand, and really works. I used to soak Candle wicks in it and burn them outside of the Van up the Cape, and if one happens to get inside, [ you know how they buzz around your head ?] a few drops on the Pillow case, gets rid of it in a minute.
Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 9th of September 2013 06:42:28 PM

Will give a try