We're visiting family in North Dakota and wow are the mosquitos abundent! My son got a bite last night right on his forehead. I was wondering what, besides citronella, I could use to help repell these boogers naturally?

THE RESPONSES:

• An article I have suggests the following essential oils: Annie Berthold bond suggests pennyroyal, lemon balm(citronella), thyme, and lavender as her first choice of essential oils. Others that could be used include bergamont, cajeput, eucalyptus, rose geranium, myrh, peppermint, rosemary, oil of clove, oil of nutmeg, feverfew, cinnamon stick and mint.

  Insect repellent for mosquitoes
  10-25 drops essential oil
  2 tbsps vegetable oil

  Combine in a glass jar; stir to blend. Dab a few drops onto skin or clothing and avoid eyes. Shelf life is 6 months. Source: Our toxic times, May 2000. I haven't tried making my own repellent yet so I have no idea if it works. I'm going to try it this summer though and stick to using the more common essential oils.

• Also try a few drops of vanilla extract in a spray bottle. I read this on alist I'm on. I was out of extract so I used some vanilla scented lotion somebody gave me. So far I'm bite free although it doesn't last long. We have a pond across from our house that breeds them so we have them pretty bad already.