Hi there, I'd be happy to take that trade :) I noticed you also have maypop cuttings on your trade list. Is there anything else from my list that you might want in exchange for that as well? Feel free to pick several varieties- I know postage can be a bit more with cuttings. Either way, email me your address and we'll trade something or other!

Fortunately, I don't need to use repellent often, but found this to be very effective and DEET FREE: Avon Skin So Soft BUG GUARD Plus PICARIDIN (it's a spray, the the SSS lotion) They also make it in "Expedition" Strength, but the smell on that one does take your breath away. For that reason, I use it on my clothes. Would be good around ankles ;-) For hats, I too, have had problems finding a hat that I can really stick with. Too sweaty and I hate sweaty hat hair - not being a diva, but really, who likes to look like a cat coming in from the rain??? Last year I found a great brand that sells a couple styles at REI. The company is based out of Boulder, Colorado: http://www.wallaroohats.com/ They sell elsewhere and online, but I think REI will be your best price point. They are a bit pricier than Sloggers, but I've never had a lighter or more comfortable hat. Hardly sweat and no helmet hair. Most of their brims are wide and many are rated SPF 50 (yes, a solid, layered fabric would be so, but that would be heavy). Wore them out at Cliff's when I went to get mother plants in 100+deg weather with no problem. I have (from REI): the Breton (chocolate) and the Sydney (seafoam). I can't tell you how many compliments I get with them and for ONCE I have a hat that looks good on me, too. Brims can be worn up, down or whatever floats your boat. Oh, and they are crush proof. Have squashed them both in luggage to a couple millimeters, several times and they pop right back into shape instantly. No folds, no wrinkles. One size fits all, there's an interior drawstring in the headband - I leave it loose. I think they will last a long, long time, especially the Breton which is a braided (poly) ribbon instead of straw.

I'm sort of joking...but about ten years ago we had the most horrendous black fly season and a neighbor made giant caftan coverings of tulle for the entire neighborhood so we could actually visit each other...hilarious but it worked. I actually have one of these head things for emergency situations....we call 'buzz head'...not sure what bug it is but they just will not stop diving for attack... After a good rain, check everything around your yard...those pests can breed in a tiny cap full of water...empty garden buckets..turn them upside down by habit....even a 1/2 bag of soil with folded pocket of its plastic collects water... I make my own summer body lotion that has lemongrass, citronella and cedarwood in a coconut oil base....a bit 'hippy' but it has been working... smells good! I've only had about one bite a weekend so far so it seems to work and i'm out all day till sunset. Here is a link that might be useful: insect protection

Roxanna, just so you know....there isn't any pesticide that takes care of only the ticks. As a matter of fact, the ticks are pretty darned tough. The person you spoke to was either lying or misinformed. I would suspect the latter, if he was just the applicator. The comment about using 'only ten ounces for a hundred gallons of water' is a smoke screen.....a meaningless response that sounds good to the customer. The dilution rate depends upon the concentration of the active ingredient. I promise you, the rate that you were quoted was exactly what is needed to get the job done. It may very well have been 10 oz./100 gal.....or half that! The only thing that counts is what comes out of the hose and that will always be just what it takes to kill ticks, the tough guys. The non-target animals....the butterflies, lightning bugs and their beneficial larvae, bees, any insect, as a matter of fact, frogs, toads, lizards, and salamanders are all very sensitive. They came at peak bee activity time, judging by the time of your post. Bees end up taking it back to the hive. Grrrr, that's a cardinal rule for pesticide application: avoid spraying when bees are active. Cats, because they clean themselves, are probably the mammal most likely to be affected....other than those individuals who are very old, ill, immune deficient, very young, taking medications that affect the liver, and more. Pyrethroids have been found in milk. Alisande, the unmarked vans are hilarious.