A few days ago, I wrote about the mosquito issue we have. It makes sitting outside unbearable with those pesky critters munching on your skin.
I use a variety of natural remedies to combat the problem; essential oils (citronella, mint, lemongrass), garlic, apple cider vinegar and more recently neem oil. I’ve only started using neem (outside of homemade skin remedies) within the last six years. So it’s my “newest natural remedy” that I use to combat pests. Since I really wanted to spray a large area, I figured the most economical route would be to use neem oil. I use the Dyna-Gro neem oil. I use about two tablespoons of neem per two gallons of water.
It was my first time using the Stanley Lawn and Garden Steel 2-Gallon Sprayer and I must say it did an excellent job! As I mentioned in an earlier post, the plastic sprayer that I’d been using needed to be replaced. I decided to go with a steel sprayer that should last even longer than my trusty plastic sprayer. I look forward to using my Stanley sprayer (to use natural treatments on our land) for many years.
Early this morning, I sprayed about fifty feet away from our Warre beehive. My daughter and I enjoy watching the bees but with the the rainy weather we’ve been having that hasn’t been an option since it also brought out the mosquitoes in droves. About an hour ago, when my daughter and I went outside to check on the honeybees, we found we didn’t have to swat at the mosquitoes, they flew off to neem free areas.
I’ll be posting my Neem recipe soon
And although I meant to post my neem recipe that I use in the garden and in areas we hang out, I haven’t gotten around to doing that yet. It’s been a busy week/weekend. Our family, from out of town, arrived this past Wednesday for my aunt’s funeral (which happened on Friday.) It was great catching up with them, preparing meals for them to eat, but it didn’t leave time for much else. No worries, I’ll post the recipe within a few days. The recipe is simple and mine only has three ingredients.
I’ve seen Neem Oil IN other items before – like I mentioned in another comment – TEA – but I haven’t seen it available (regionally) stand-alone! I’ll have to look on line 🙂
Jennifer recently posted..Spicy Chipotle Stir Fry & Sunridge Farms Peanut Butter Power Chews
@Jennifer, I purchase mine online. You might be able to find it in gardening shops because it’s a popular remedy used to repel pests.
Aynaria recently posted..Culling garden insects aka plant munchers
Thanks! I’m going to ask my local herb store where I buy a lot in bulk. I haven’t been in there in about a week – I always like to see what’s new 🙂
Jennifer recently posted..Fiesta Quinoa, Fiesta Stuffed Peppers, Raw Happenings, A Little Cuteness!
Have you tried melissa officinalis oil? It’s very effective. I tried the oil, but also the fresh leafs. I also know that the leafs are used by beekeepers.
Jorjette Celestine recently posted..Eat Fish for Your Heart
@Jorjette Celestine, Oh I love melissa!, I love the lemony scent. I have it growing in our yard right near out beehive. They love it. I ordered some of the essential oil yesterday, because I was almost out. It should be here tomorrow. Melissa usually goes into the bug recipes I make for the skin.
Aynaria recently posted..Adventures in Beekeeping: Queen, worker bee larva, and honey spotted
I tried the oil against mosquitoes and for me it worked.Some drops in some olive oil (the smell needs to be quite strong)- directly on the skin. If you’ll have some results, let me know, I’m curious.
Jorjette Celestine recently posted..Get Your Insulin Without the Needles
@Jorjette Celestine, Oh I’ve used it many times before. Melissa goes into a lot of my skin care lotions, soaps and sprays. With my bug sprays I also add citronella, mint and neem.
Aynaria recently posted..Hive Building; Tanzanian Top Bar Beehive