Natural Animal Repellents:
Moles, Squirrels, Bugs and Castor Oil Formulas

At any summer gathering there are bound to be uninvited guests. And since insects don't bring potato salad, try using essential oils to keep them at bay. A safe alternative to the chemicals, DEET and Permethrin.

Andrea Candee, a master herbalist in upstate New York, recommends eucalyptus oil to repel mosquitoes and ticks. Citronella oil also works, she says, but some find its smell unpleasant. Fortunately, the bugs will too, so try burning citronella-scented candles at outdoor picnics. Mosquitoes also don't like basil; plant the herb outside windows to help keep them out of your home.

Studies support Candee's advice. The U.S. Agriculture Department found that a lemon-eucalyptus Chinese insect repellent deterred mosquitoes as well as DEET, though for a shorter time. In another study conducted in a Canadian forest, people who sat near citronella candles with nothing on their skin received far fewer bites than those without candles (Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, September 1991, June 1996).

Suggested Dose
Always dilute eucalyptus and citronella oils to avoid skin irritation. To dilute, mix 1/4 teaspoon of one or both oils with 2 ounces of almond oil or vodka and apply it to the skin. For a sweeter-smelling repellent, herb expert Kathi Keville recommends adding 1/8 teaspoon of either rose-geranium or cedar essential oils to the mixture (Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale, 1996).

Cautions
Never take these oils internally. You may need to reapply them more often than commercial products. It may be wise to stick with commercial repellents in areas where mosquito-borne illnesses, such as malaria or West Nile virus, are a concern.

David Edelberg, M.D., Chief Medical Advisor

Jerry Baker Formula:
1 cup castor oil
2 teaspoons Alum
1 cup liquid dish soap
1 cup human urine
Put in 20 gallon sprayer to water hose, sprayer does ratio, water evaporates.
Formula by: Jerry Baker, "The Garden Time" program.

Glenn Dudderar Formula:
Castor Oil Spray Chases Moles, and more, away. Drive moles out with a castor oil repellent says Glenn Dudderar, extension wildlife specialist at Michigan State University. Glenn says to thoroughly soak the area with water before and after you apply the repellent. You should get good mole control for at about two weeks to a month.

A castor oil repellent may chase off other pests too. Glenn is now testing the product as a squirrel and chipmunk repellent and says it's kept the critters out of flower beds for about a month.

Here's his easy, inexpensive recipe for an effective homemade mole-repelling mix.
1 tablespoon castor oil
2 tablespoons liquid dish soap
6 tablespoons water
Mix the oil and soap in a blender until the mix has the consistency of shaving cream. Add the water and blend again. In a watering can, mix 2 tablespoons of your "mole mix" with 2 gallons of water. Sprinkle the mix over mole-infested yard and garden areas. Apply the repellent after a rain to make sure it soaks into the soil.

Another Similar Formula: Moles
Castor Oil and Liquid Detergent. Whip together 1 tablespoon castor oil and 2 tablespoons liquid detergent in a blender until the mixture is like shaving cream. Add 6 tablespoons water and whip again. Keep this mixture out of the reach of your children and pets. Take a garden sprinkling can and fill with warm water. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil mixture and stir. Sprinkle immediately over the areas of greatest mole infestation. For best results, apply after a rain or thorough watering. If moles are drawn to your lawn because of the grubs feeding in the soil, you may be able to rid yourself of both pests by spreading milky spore disease to kill the grubs.
 

Read More About It

• Natural Insect Repellents for Pets, People, and Plants by Janette Grainger.

• Handbook of Natural Pesticides: Insect Attract Repellents, Volume VI by D. Morgan, Attr.

• The Green Pharmacy : The Ultimate Compendium Of Natural Remedies From The World's Foremost Authority On Healing Herbs by James A. Duke.