Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: bushman on June 22, 2010, 02:23:52 am
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Does any one know what the Natives used for a bug repellent, other then smudges and rubbing charcoal on the skin?
Bushman
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wiping the leaves(or whatever they are called) of cedars on the skin works.
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I don't know if it is true or not but I always heard when I was growing up the oil from the Camphor tree was used the same way.
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I've used Pennyroyal. It has a square stem as all the mint family has and grows in creek beds. Crush it and rub it on.
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The first time I went to Brazil they told me to use Diesel and urine. ;D I ended up with over 200 bites on each arm.
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Hey eddie I believe they were havin some fun on you >:D Bob
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Wild onions.. yep your stink but the bugs don't like the smell of it :)
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i just ignore them ;D
actually i hunt in a ground blind,if i need someting i used my thermacell ;)
i know its not primitive,but it is very very affective
doesnt seem to bother the deer either.ive had them walk right p past my blind(2-3yds)and never seen them get spooked
other wise catnip from what ive heard is supposed to work,just like the other plants/weeds
just rub it all over your self
sue every cat in the neighborhood is gonna wanna be your buddy,but that aint so bad is it ;D
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I use commercial stuff occasionally, but hoary mountain mint, A whitish (due to soft hairs all over) catnip relative, is a strong mint and works OK. I have a huge patch in my yard I crush up and rub as needed.
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Plantain. Brod leaf and lance leaf. Pick some leaves and rub them betwen your hands with some spit then rub the juice on your skin.
Plantain also works well for bug bites the juice will releve the sting and itch.
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citronella oil
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recently discovered that the yarrow tincture i make keeps the bugs away. in a pinch i use sweet fern or spice bush too
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peppermint essential oil is supposed to work really well
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if you grind up Yarrow leaves and flowers in some water (or spit), it works okay too.....and it even works as a bit of an "after bite" astringent.
J
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Archery Season starts this weekend in the "A" or Southern zone of Florida. Heat index is running around 100-103 with the humidity in the swamps about 95-100%. I'd love to see somebody come down and rub leaves on your body and stay out hunting more than 30 minutes. I take two Thermocells and DEET. I also wear a Bug Tamer suit that the big mosquitos can bite through.
The plus side is you don't have to worry about those expensive Scent suits. You will be soaked from sweat by 6:30 in the morning. ;D
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lol - too true Eddie.
I have some old school 99.9% deet in my bag for bad days.....the weak 28% deet they sell now just isn't good enough when you "really" need bug spray.
Plus, if you need some varnish stripping done, the 100% stuff works great..... ;D
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I've got some of that "pure" stuff, too. I splled some on the dashboard of my old Jeep and it melted a hole through the plastic.
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No way I'm taking that bet, Mullet! ;D I wouldn't hunt that season without a headnet, DEET, a thermacell, a wetsuit, and a viking hat....
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doesnt neem oil work pretty well?
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I've used Neem in the garden, haven't tried it topically
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During a really bad black fly season in NH, I gave up on everything you could buy. I smeared a thick coat of mud on my skin and it worked better than anything.
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i think that the bugs don't like getting the wings oily or grease coated that's why must bug repellent have the oily feel to them i may not get to hunt yet but i have a ditch the the bugs love and breed all summer long near my house so we wear natural colors like brown-green or just brown not a lot of the white or bright colors
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Swamp Mud, the real black kind on hands and face ( dries without any sheen too) it works, and cedar and spruce crushed and rubbed on you, the cedar and spruce mix helps but isn't the greatest, but these are whats available in my area and I like to use whats local, seems in a large woods sometimes odd scents throw the bucks into a bit of an alert.. (Bucks only even for archery up here)
I tried Off for Sportsmen which is supposed to have no scent, I might again , but I had a couple times when I am sure they smelled something after about 30 yards out... not saying it was the "Off" just made me wonder.
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Wild onions.. yep your stink but the bugs don't like the smell of it :)
Yep
Wild onions. Not a joke. I thought every country boy knew that!
Ron
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSl_nBRVMRQ
Lippia and Croton was used in South Texas for mosquito repellent.
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O'sage saw dust works pertty well.
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I'll keep using my two Thermal-Cells.
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I agree with ya Mullet, as soon as the sun comes up your surrounded by a WW2 dogfight. I once talked to an Miccassuki man
and he said you can't be a SISSY. I say WHATEVA fess up with the secret YO. Anyway some people will say don't do it
but i've used elderberry leaves with a little spittle bare ass naked and the skeeters won't touch you for an hour or two
Can't advise the saftey of it though.
J.B.