What is something I could put in the oven to make the house smell really good for when this woman comes by?

Deep Woods off is my version of Channel no.5 these days.

Hope, I don't know if mint is toxic to pets, but I would keep all herbal products away from them just to be safe.

There are certain plants that are toxic to both humans and pets, and I generally don't grow those because of the multiple feral cats that prowl my garden, apparently searching for tasty bird and mice treats.

Don't get anything made in China - the lotions aren't pure.

I haven't tried mint as a mosquito prevention; my recollection is that lemon might have that property. Citronella as I recall is a mosquito repellent. Generally the best repellent I've found is a good swat on the offending mosquito.

I haven't had as many problems with mosquitoes since a massive clearing of my garden last year, which inadvertently took out all the raspberry bushes. Raspberries for some reason attract mosquitoes.

I don't use any chemical mosquito products because they're so toxic.

If you're interested, I do have an excellent supplier of herbal and organic products. Let me know and I'll PM you; posting publicly might be considered advertising, even though I do often suggest this woman's products privately.

Look around your yard and see what you have growing that might harbor mosquitoes, and observe when you go out where they seem to be the most prevalent. Are you in a rural area? Are there any bodies of water nearby?

Sometimes a lot of vegetation will harbor them, especially if moisture is held in thick foliage and can create a breeding ground.

I've read that Avon's Skin So Soft is an excellent mosquito repellent but have never tried it. I've thought of putting rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on my skin so they'd get a bad taste if they attempt to dine, but I really don't like to use chemicals unless there's no other choice.

If you want to read up on herbal solutions, Herb Quarterly is an excellent magazine; Herb Companion runs a second behind but the art work isn't as beautiful.

If you lived in the UK you could talk to her through the letter box in the front door and spray lavender oil from a mistifier at the same time. :)

After all, how bad can your home smell? We have two dogs and we can't smell them at all.

"My dog has no nose."

"Your dog has no nose?"

"That's right. My dog has no nose."

"If your dog has no nose, how does he smell?"

"TERRIBLE!"

:)

I love it!

I say I say I say! - my dog's got no whiskers…

Then how does he feel?

etc.

CG, that takes me back! We used to do rounds of all those lovely old music hall jokes over a curry - those, and the "my wife's gone to the West Indies" - "Jamaica?" - "No she went of her own accord!" ones…

Boom boom! Oh happy times.

Tex, how did the visit go in the end? Was the Church lady satisfied?!

I guess they were CM because I haven't heard from them since. It was a spy mission. They wanted to get into the house. Also when I check on my mother's checking account it appears she had been quite generous with her money to this little church. She didn't go for about a month because of footsurgery and that's when I get a phone call about how this woman from the sunday school class wanted to visit and then the day of the visit it turned into 3 woman wanted to visit. The food they brought was so obviously thrown together as an excuse, h*ll I know bad cooking when I see it because I am a bad cook.They wanted to know why she wasn't there writing those checks,didn't say it out loud but I knew.I sorta felt sorry for mother, they just wanted in the house,she has some beautiful china and they oohed and yaahed over it , but it was those checks they were really missing. Well they will still be missing them as I had a long talk with her.Tithing is fine, but who knows what the economy will be even in a year and what her health will be, I told her I needed that money to pay home aides ,health care supplies ,possibly a special bed for her if she wanted to stay out of a nursing home but that is my goal, to keep her out of a nursing home. I am a retired nurse and I know what is needed to take care of someone that is bedridden. That is the usual reason when families have to put someone in a NH when they become bedridden, but if I am able to hire health aides so I can leave the house , sleep at night and help me with bathroom and hygiene issues she won't need to go to a NH. I don't see anyone from that church helping us at all. It is a very small town church.

If the do-gooders call again, perhaps you can let them know permanently that they won't be receiving checks by telling them you're making advance plans for your mother and wonder if any of them have nursing or aide experience and would be willing to assist with housekeeping, hygience, driving to medical appointments, etc. You might not have to worry about them after that.

It really offends me that people are so snoopy; and I do think you're right - they wondered why the cash flow had stopped.

I would love to have the name of the place you can get the herbal and organics...thank you Garden Artist!

I am thinking one reason we have so many mosquitos is because we do live in a fairly dense area with lots of woods and hence pretty heavy vegetation on the floor of those...I'm guessing the leaves decaying makes an excellent attraction for them..I have been trying to clear away as much of the underbrush as I can, but as it will be falling again soon, it is a never ending cycle...They used to never bite me, I was one of the few folks who could be out there in them and never have a bite...now it is the opposite...sometimes I think there is something different in my physiological "chemistry" that is making them so bad...I try to do all the normal things , light clothing, cover my arms and legs, no perfumes, etc...have even put alcohol and peroxide as you mentioned on me to hopefully deter them...I love working int he yards and my garden so it is infuriating as this really ruins my outdoor activity...so anything I can try I would love it..

Tex, you are so funny....it does sound like those folks were on a spy mission and that is how I feel occasionally with some of our visitors...one pair in particular whom, thank God, I did not hear the day they stopped by, and they went on their merry way....I was extremely glad to have missed them....my brother was telling me they had come to visit and while they knew I was home I did not come to the door...that time I did not hear them....truly...but in all honesty...had I seen them there, I probably would not have seen them either...heheheh

Hope, check your messages; I just P'M'ed you with info on organic lotions suppliers that I've used.

Lots of woods, heavy vegetation and decomposing leaves can create a mosquito friendly environment. If you have any dry leaves from last year's tree leaf drop, you could mix them with the decomposing leaves for the beginning a compost pile for your garden. I've also dug under my compost to give plant roots the moisture they need, rather than use the ingredients as mulch.

It could be that caregiving has caused some metabolic changes that make you more susceptible to mosquitoes. That would be an interesting topic for someone to research.

You know GardenArtist...I was wondering if something is going on with ME that has indeed made my metabolism "different" causing them to go bananas when I get out there...I know it is time for some blood work, so I will be interested to see what the findings are...something sure seems to have made me appealing to the mosquito population this year....yes, the new leaf drop should help make some nice mulch...it is for sure that once I get into the leaves I feel like I am in a shredder....I love working in my yards...so the bug issue is a real bummer this year...loving the websites...I see a LOT of enticing products...really wanted some of the Amber Earth but they are out of that one for now..I am going to keep an eye out as it sounds divine...

This is an odd year for gardening. I've also read it's a good year for Japanese beetles, which are munching their way to be big fat beetles.

It's a great year for black locust trees which are multiplying exponentially, all in my garden. It's as if they're mutant trees in some horror movie.

The intense winter we had, which lasted into spring, might have upset some ecological balances that allowed mosquitoes to breed more.

So it could be the environment, especially as you've described it, but it wouldn't hurt to get some blood work done to find out if anything else is going on.

I am being overtaken here by mimosa trees. While i normally love them, the spent flowers do cause an ooey gooey mess once they fall and they must have a rabid root system as they are coming up everywhere... I am enjoying browsing the web site and already need to pare down what I want...ha....but so many interesting items to look at....and I am hoping they will get some of the amber back as that one must be really nice...

Mosquitoes are more attracted to those with an acidic body. To alkalize your body, cut down on meat and dairy. Add more green leafy and sprouted veggies. It will make your body more disease resistant as well (cancer cannot live in an alkaline environment). Eat more fruit and drink plenty of water.
I still have mosquitoes that love me although I have alkalized a good bit over the years. I use AVON Skin so Soft bath oil and the bugs all leave me alone. Smells like a French w_ore house, but if you can put up with the perfume, it will keep the bugs away.

lol...sherry....love the description there.....I don't eat a lot of meat but am guilty of dairy....heck, there goes my ice cream....but probably would be worth it to stop being eaten alive when I stick my toe out the door... thanks!

boil cinammon, make chicken soup, google aromatic solutions