Fabric Softener Sheets = Insect Repellent

I listened to some young girls at a baseball game talking about playing in tennis matches in Georgetown and Hilton Head. Their opponents offered them fabric softener sheets to use as insect repellent. If you have ever been in either of these areas, you know to carry insect repellent because the mosquitoes and no-seeums will carry you to Georgia. Living near the coast, there is no repellent that we have not tried. It has rained for a week here and that makes life for our insects perfect. I decided to try this new idea waiting until 7 PM when I spray my roses and usually cover myself in Cutter's backwoods repellent. Using a Bounce fabric sheets on arms, legs and face, I venture into the yard. It WORKS!! No bites. The convenience of carrying the sheets in pocket or purse is great.
Did some of you know about this and never told us poor insect magnets?

My mother told me about this. She lives in Oregon near a river and when they have their picnics, some ladies were pinning the sheets to the trees and near the food tables. We started using them when we go into the garden at 'those' times of the day. I stick one in my hat brim, too.

Yes I have heard of it. If the problem is more no seeums I use skin so soft cut with rubbing alcohol. Forgot about the sheets, have to try those out again. I don't think they worked that great but at the time I was trying stuff like that out I was in big crowds of people outside and only high DEET formulas really worked for me.

It works ALSO try spraying lysterine around you as well. Works every time and no poison chemicles to hurt anyone.

Stupid question...do you carry the sheets or rub yourself with them?

Carry the sheets and when you're sweaty rub them on you. They for more than just one rub. Also you can put listerine in spray bottle and spray around where you're sitting and critters won't come around. You don't have to spray ON you just around you.

Yokedog, not a stupid question at all. I take them out of the box and just rub on before I go outside. One can be used several times. Unless you are just plain dirty!!
A friend of mine puts one under her garden hat---no bugs but you do look a little strange. Who cares ?? Thanks for the tip, mekos. about the listerine spray. I will sure give it a try.

There are also some plants you can plant around that are called mosquito plants. I don't have any right now but I'll try to find some this summer and let you know if you'd like to plant some. Mosquitoes don't like them and some people say they help. Have you ever tried them?

I haven't tried them but would sure like to know what they are.
Thanks

We have a large jockey lot a few miles from here and sometimes we go looking for plants and that is where I have seen them, but never bought any, so I'll be looking around in a week or two we may go back and see if there are any . I'll let you know if I find them. Mekos

mekos- I have had pretty good luck with a few of them overwintering in a well sheltered spot - they smell awesome, and are pretty easy to grow from cuttings too! so if you have patience just pick up one and cut 3" sections off, trim off the lower leaves, a little root hormone and slightly moist growing medium and they will root
our local nursery sells them and when I worked there that is how we propagated them

OK thanks for the info. BSD- in Conway needs some info. I'm going to be looking for her but if you know her area maybe you could let her know where to go look closer to her. If not, I'll still be looking. Let you know when I find them.Thanks again-Mekos

In Conway I would look at the local Lowes (was there last month visiting my son at college but did not see them yet at Lowes there)

BSD if you dmail me an interest I will send you back some cuttings with my son when he goes back to Conway in 10 days - he went home to IN for a wedding but will be stopping back by here next weekend on his way back to Conway - he lives by Coastal Carolina where he goes to school
Or wait I have an idea= why don't you come to the Newberry roundup June 13th at my house and we'll cut you some LOL seriously though we are having a round up here at my place June 13th

LMK be glad to send some on with the son :)

I have finally realized what you folks are talking about. Citronella plant. I can get it at Walmart. Never knew that it actually works.
Thanks

My DS gave me a misquito plant that got covered in white flies so bad I had my DGS pull it out by the roots and throw it away. I tried spraying it over and over but it didn't help. Just a little warning.

really? knock on wood I have not ever had that problem! lately it seems thrips have been invading the front yard on the gaura for some odd reason....a little neem and they're fine now but yick...it was nasty

Uh .. creative idea, but not a good one, especially rubbing it on your skin .. Here is a list of just some of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets:

Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer

Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant

Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders

A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage

Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders

Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic

Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders

Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

It's no wonder insects avoid it.

X

I believe it, X. I'm glad I just stick them in my hat brim or on my belt! I think the Listerine idea is better.

Here's what we use (though I am now tempted to try my "natural" dryer sheets! Not sure if they'd work like the chemical-laden ones). Discovered this product last year, and it does work pretty well. Have to put it on pretty heavily, and reapply as you sweat, but it does the job. Claims to be all natural and harmless, though I always take such claims with a grain of salt. At any rate, I know it can't be as bad as DEET etc. and, like I said, it does work. We've used both the regular spray and the repellant/suncreen lotion. I think there's a thread somewhere on it, if anyone cares to look.

http://www.cactusjuicetm.com/cactuspatent.php