The Cole Homestead

And with Summer comes .... Mosquitoes!

I am so tried of getting eating up!  The mosquitoes seem so much worse this year and I have seem more deer flies this year than in all years past.  Where are they coming from?  And that is just here at home.  My daughter has gone camping with my mother in law and at the campsite the bugs are so much worse.  I hate to let the kids run and play with the fear that they are going to be sucked dry!  Not to mention the fear of the dreaded West Nile Virus that seems to be carried by these little varmints.  I have been trying so hard to keep my children protected.  I really had to choose between a whole lot of chemicals or letting them get eaten or just never letting them out to play.  Anyone with small children can tell you that is not an option.  Well, I think I have finally found an answer and there are no chemicals involved.

A while back some one mentioned on here a internet site called www.bulherbstore.com .  I have been interested in using herbs for awhile.  About six years ago my father died of cancer.  He was a farmer and a repair man for CAT where he fixed big melting furnaces that melted the iron for engine blocks and such.  Both environments were not so good for his health.  While farming he used every chemical known to man.  Many were later outlawed but he always said that was because they were the ones that actually worked.  Now I know that every farmer does not get cancer but I feel that those chemicals helped in that respect. 

Anyway, on this website there was an herb mix called The Vinegar of the Four Thieves.  I found this interesting.  I use vinegar for everything.  Cooking, cleaning, whatever.  I have even used this on sunburns.  This mix included   peppermint, wormwood, Sage, Lavender, garlic, and apple cider vinegar.  Hmm, I have most of these either growing or made here at home.  (I haven't tried growing garlic yet)  After reading about the benefits of each herb and about the mix I decided to give it a try.  So far it has worked great.  It takes about 3 weeks to brew but it was worth the wait.  I have not had a problem with no see'ems, mosquitoes, or even flys.  It also seems to work on the goats.  They have been plagued by horse flies all season.  The best part is that there are no harmful chemicals.  I might smell like a salad for a few minutes but that is a very small price to pay.

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09:06, Monday, June 30, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

How interesting!!! I have never heard of this concoction! I will have to look at the website you have posted. Thanks for sharing.

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

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11:27, Monday, June 30, 2008 .. Posted by mequit73

As a former resident of Minnesota (state bird: mosquito), I can empathize with those mosquito nightmares. Some of them have landing gear and it appears your house may be the airport! With all of the things that I've heard of to get rid of mosquitos, I've never heard of this mixture. I'm so glad it works for you. I'm going to pass this on to my friends and family still residing in MN.

Hope all is well at your house

08:20, Sunday, July 6, 2008 .. Posted by BeckyTom

I have not seen any post lately. Just checking in to see if everything is ok. Hope you have a great week. Becky