Catnip Skeeter Spray

20 years ago

For those of you in the Roll Call thread that were interested in my homemade repellent, I just fill a jar half way with cheap vodka and start stuffing catnip leaves in it as soon as they're harvest size, let them set for a week or so in a dark cupboard, then replace them with fresh leaves, adding vodka as needed. Sometimes I'll add lemon verbena or lemon catmint leaves to the brew. I do this for the whole summer, taking a little out and mixing it in a spray bottle with water when needed. Some people get really scientific about it, wanting to know the percentage of nepetalactones and such but I just wing it. It doesn't last as long as deet, but it does last at least an hour and it doesn't make me sick the way deet does(and cats love me where ever I go). The commercial products would probably last longer. I haven't done any official tick testing(I'm too chicken), so when I go into tick territory, I still use the heavy artillary. If anyone else has experience using catnip to repel ticks I would really like to hear from you.

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Comments (4)

seneca_s
20 years ago
Hmmm, wonder if I could spray part of my yard before a party? Have every cat in the neighborhood over probably.
Kat SE Wisconsin z5
20 years ago
Vodka? Just don't drive after you put it on! LOL! Seriously, I'm going to give it a try. I don't like using any of those products with deet. Just a (serious) question here. Why vodka and not gin or brandy? Just curious about that.

Kat
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noinwi
Original Author
20 years ago
I'm trying to rely on my (poor)memory here, but I suppose you could use any spirit as long as it's at least 80 proof. Vodka doesn't have any smell of its own. I don't know if you would get residual smell from the other two. Personally, I'd rather drink the brandy;) And you could possibly use oil...I believe both can be used to extract essential oils. You might get more reliable info from the Herbs forum on this process, though, as I just dabble in it. Also, I've never felt the alcohol effects from my spray as I dilute it with water, using anywhere from 4 to 6 parts water to 1 part catnip solution, depending on how strong it is. However, it might be enough to cause a problem for anyone with an alcohol addiction.
noinwi
Original Author
20 years ago
Sorry, I guess the right forum to get extraction info would be the Herbalism forum.