insect repellent, catnip oil?

[onetrumpeter]

Anyone use catnip oil (neptalactone) for repelling insects? Mosquitos are the biggie that bother me, but ticks are getting up there, too

I'm looking for a good repellent that's not too toxic. I've always found DEET very effective, but... yeah, would rather not put that on if there's a decent alternative.

I read about the catnip oil online - I think a study in 2001 was done at Iowa State U. But part of me thinks, if it's so much more effective than DEET, why isn't it being marketed like crazy?

We bought this last year http://hyenacart.com/crystalsandcrea...hp?c=0&p=78235 and it was $15 for one, IIRC so now it's cheaper. But SUPER bummer b/c it didn't work for us at all - even w/ liberal and frequent spraying. It just smelled nice. Maybe to the mosquitos, too?!

Please share if you've had any success w/ any herbal/EO repellent. Thanks! Would love a lotion sort style. Maybe I could mix the catnip oil w/ coconut oil and lather on? (IF the catnip oil works on people!)

[mbravebird]

I made my own spray out of catnip oil. The stuff stinks, so I wish I'd mixed it with something else to cover the smell. It is effective against mosquitoes, though. The spray I made wears off after a bit, so maybe the ointment idea would work better. Right after I put the spray on and for 15-30 min afterwards, no mosquitoes will touch me, which is better than other sprays I had tried.

[onetrumpeter]

Originally Posted by mbravebird

I made my own spray out of catnip oil. The stuff stinks, so I wish I'd mixed it with something else to cover the smell. It is effective against mosquitoes, though. The spray I made wears off after a bit, so maybe the ointment idea would work better. Right after I put the spray on and for 15-30 min afterwards, no mosquitoes will touch me, which is better than other sprays I had tried.

thanks for the reply - good to know that you've found it effective. good to know, also, that it stinks, lol! Hmmmm... now to find a source for catnip oil I'm buying a spray that Tropical Traditions makes through our coop and it's got catnip oil as one of a number of EOs and other ingredients, so not sure it will be as effective, but it's already made for me and worth a try. thanks again!