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Natural/non-stinky bug repellents?

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WhistlingBadger:
I'm hoping to start on my new deerskin/fur quiver soon (still waiting on the tanner).  I'm not sure how this badger got tanned, but I'm a little concerned that the fur/leather might get buggy at some point--lots of hungry critters in the deserts around here. 

I don't want something that's going to smell unnatural and give away my presence to every animal within half a mile.I've read that cedar repels bugs, and I don't see anything munching on my juniper bushes, even in really bad grasshopper years.  So I was thinking about sewing some juniper sawdust, twigs, and/or leaves into the seems and maybe throwing a handful in the bottom of the quiver, too.  Maybe use a bark-on juniper stick for the stiffener.

Wild mint is another possibility that seems to repel fur-eating bugs, but I don't think it would last very long.  I've heard chokecherry leaves are toxic to insects whey they're crushed, but again I don't know how long the effect would last.  Any other ideas?

Hawkdancer:
You might try smoking the hides in cedar or juniper smoke, or a dusting with borax.  I don't think any treatment will be permanent, though. (=)
Hawkdancer

Russ:
smoke it real well and no bug will want to be in there!! and im serious!! smokes the best bug repellant!!!

DC:
Wouldn't the smoke be a deer repellent?

WhistlingBadger:

--- Quote from: DC on February 26, 2020, 11:25:57 am ---Wouldn't the smoke be a deer repellent?

--- End quote ---

I've never noticed animals getting spooked by the smell of smoke.  Maybe I'll just throw a handful of sagebrush and juniper inside and replace it when it quits smelling.

T

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