About Our 'Skeeter Skidaddler
My Story and FAQs (below the story)
Here's My Story:
My name is Allen Pollock, owner of Gentle Breeze Farm located in Windham, Maine. I am also the creator and producer of 'Skeeter Skidaddler® a surprisingly fragrant and effective insect repellent.
Let me tell you a little of my story and how 'Skeeter Skidaddler® was created.
In 2007 I made the commitment to co-found the Lakes Region Farmers' Market meeting in Windham, Maine www.lrfm.org and to begin intensive gardening to supply our customers with fresh, healthy produce. My only problem was that bugs adored me. I was a “mosquito magnet”. There were a number of products I could have used, but none of them suited me.
My research of the safest, most effective insect repellent natural essential oils led me to formulate a product that I believe will redefine how we think about insect repellents.
Why? Because this blend of all natural essential oils in a base of sunflower oil is so fragrant that I have customers wearing it as a fragrance, as well as protection against those nasty biters!
After five years of testing in many extremes by rusticators, hikers, gardeners and vacationers, and with extremely positive feedback from our customers I feel very confident that 'Skeeter Skidaddler® is the best insect repellent and personal fragrance combined into one.
Here is one customer's story. She came racing to the market, at the end of the day, to buy 3 bottles of 'Skeeter Skidaddler®. When asked how she heard of it, she said,
“ I was standing in the checkout line of the grocery and found the cologne the man in front of me was wearing was so interesting I asked him what it was. He said to me “That's not a cologne, that's my insect repellent!” I asked him where he purchased it, and he directed me to this Farmers' Market. So after finishing my checkout I rushed here to find you. The man said it was the very best repellent he had ever used, and I like the fragrance very much.”
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW WELL DOES IT WORK? 'Skeeter Skidaddler® is effective against all the flying, biting insects here in Maine of which I am aware. Places used with success: Maine North Woods and Lakes, Washington County and Coastal Maine, Martha's Vineyard, Minnesota Boundry Waters, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, California, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, St. Marten, Haiti, Amazon Jungle and Vietnam.
In most instances black flies are well deterred by 'Skeeter Skidaddler®. The one instance I have heard of it not working was when black flies were in a feeding frenzy (thousands of black flies searching for a blood meal). In that case three sportsmen had on three different products (of which two were standard chemically based products and the other was 'Skeeter Skidaddler®). In that case none of the products worked. Only a good, old fashioned smokey wood fire would keep these beasts down.
(It does not repel ticks that I know.)
IS IT AN ALL NATURAL INSECT REPELLENT ? Here is the list of the ingredients of the original version: Cedarwood, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemongrass, patchouli and sunflower oil (original formula). These oils are extracted from plant material. That's it, no synthetic chemicals. Currently I get my sunflower oil from an organic dairy farm in Albion, Maine (from Henry Perkins of Bull Ridge Farm).
I avoided using these oils: Pennyroyal, rosemary, thyme and wormwood because they are not good for pregnant or lactating women and infants. Some are now using vanillin, which may be an allergen for some people.
The type of Cedarwood oil I use (virginias) is considered safe. The atlanticus type of cedarwood is considered an abortive and unsafe for women who are pregnant. Yet I have seen it listed on one repellent product.
IS THERE A PATCHOULI FREE VERSION? Yes. The “Patchouli Free” version has a light, sweet and lemony fragrance.
HOW DO I APPLY IT? HOW MUCH DO I USE?
1) Squirt 2 to 4 full squirts into the palm of the hand, rub together, then pat or rub on exposed areas. Use VERY sparingly. Apply a bit more if needed.
2) If you wish you may apply this to a cloth, apply to cuffs just as you would to the skin. Do not spray on directly as this will leave oil spots.
3) You can also make a 'wipe' by folding up a paper towel, placing in a baggie, apply 10-12 squirts from bottle onto towel. Seal and let oils spread onto towel. Then use towel to apply. Replace towelette into baggie and fresh with 'Skeeter Skidaddler® as needed.
HOW LONG WILL A BOTTLE LAST? I have folks who regularly use this product for themselves and their families and the 80 ml bottle lasts all summer and into the following year. There are between 60 and 100 applications per bottle. The cost is about 10-20¢ per application that provides 4+ hours of protection.
Keep an eye on the bottle, though. Sometimes they walk off :-)
IS IT SAFE FOR KIDS? I selected the ingredients for safety first and then effectiveness. There was one instance in the past three years in which a young man (about 10 yo) said the product “felt peppery” when on his face. But he said he did not mind using it. To test: on the skin on the inside of the elbow to see if there is any reaction.
IS IT SAFE FOR PETS? Cedarwood oil is toxic for some dogs. The ‘Furry Friend Friendly’ version of the product that does not have the cedarwood or patchouli oils for dogs specifically. I have it on good word that two Bassett Hounds (and their owners) have approved of the fragrance. Others use the Furry Friend Friendly on their dogs to good effect.
Skeeter Skiddadler | Safe Mosquito Repellent | Fragrant Insect Repellent
My name is Allen Pollock, owner of Gentle Breeze Farm located in Windham, Maine. I am also the creator and producer of 'Skeeter Skidaddler® a surprisingly fragrant and effective insect repellent.
Let me tell you a little of my story and how 'Skeeter Skidaddler® was created.
In 2007 I made the commitment to co-found the Lakes Region Farmers' Market meeting in Windham, Maine www.lrfm.org and to begin intensive gardening to supply our customers with fresh, healthy produce. My only problem was that bugs adored me. I was a “mosquito magnet”. There were a number of products I could have used, but none of them suited me.
My research of the safest, most effective insect repellent natural essential oils led me to formulate a product that I believe will redefine how we think about insect repellents.
Why? Because this blend of all natural essential oils in a base of sunflower oil is so fragrant that I have customers wearing it as a fragrance, as well as protection against those nasty biters!
After five years of testing in many extremes by rusticators, hikers, gardeners and vacationers, and with extremely positive feedback from our customers I feel very confident that 'Skeeter Skidaddler® is the best insect repellent and personal fragrance combined into one.
Here is one customer's story. She came racing to the market, at the end of the day, to buy 3 bottles of 'Skeeter Skidaddler®. When asked how she heard of it, she said,
“ I was standing in the checkout line of the grocery and found the cologne the man in front of me was wearing was so interesting I asked him what it was. He said to me “That's not a cologne, that's my insect repellent!” I asked him where he purchased it, and he directed me to this Farmers' Market. So after finishing my checkout I rushed here to find you. The man said it was the very best repellent he had ever used, and I like the fragrance very much.”
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW WELL DOES IT WORK? 'Skeeter Skidaddler® is effective against all the flying, biting insects here in Maine of which I am aware. Places used with success: Maine North Woods and Lakes, Washington County and Coastal Maine, Martha's Vineyard, Minnesota Boundry Waters, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, California, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, St. Marten, Haiti, Amazon Jungle and Vietnam.
In most instances black flies are well deterred by 'Skeeter Skidaddler®. The one instance I have heard of it not working was when black flies were in a feeding frenzy (thousands of black flies searching for a blood meal). In that case three sportsmen had on three different products (of which two were standard chemically based products and the other was 'Skeeter Skidaddler®). In that case none of the products worked. Only a good, old fashioned smokey wood fire would keep these beasts down.
(It does not repel ticks that I know.)
IS IT AN ALL NATURAL INSECT REPELLENT ? Here is the list of the ingredients of the original version: Cedarwood, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemongrass, patchouli and sunflower oil (original formula). These oils are extracted from plant material. That's it, no synthetic chemicals. Currently I get my sunflower oil from an organic dairy farm in Albion, Maine (from Henry Perkins of Bull Ridge Farm).
I avoided using these oils: Pennyroyal, rosemary, thyme and wormwood because they are not good for pregnant or lactating women and infants. Some are now using vanillin, which may be an allergen for some people.
The type of Cedarwood oil I use (virginias) is considered safe. The atlanticus type of cedarwood is considered an abortive and unsafe for women who are pregnant. Yet I have seen it listed on one repellent product.
IS THERE A PATCHOULI FREE VERSION? Yes. The “Patchouli Free” version has a light, sweet and lemony fragrance.
HOW DO I APPLY IT? HOW MUCH DO I USE?
1) Squirt 2 to 4 full squirts into the palm of the hand, rub together, then pat or rub on exposed areas. Use VERY sparingly. Apply a bit more if needed.
2) If you wish you may apply this to a cloth, apply to cuffs just as you would to the skin. Do not spray on directly as this will leave oil spots.
3) You can also make a 'wipe' by folding up a paper towel, placing in a baggie, apply 10-12 squirts from bottle onto towel. Seal and let oils spread onto towel. Then use towel to apply. Replace towelette into baggie and fresh with 'Skeeter Skidaddler® as needed.
HOW LONG WILL A BOTTLE LAST? I have folks who regularly use this product for themselves and their families and the 80 ml bottle lasts all summer and into the following year. There are between 60 and 100 applications per bottle. The cost is about 10-20¢ per application that provides 4+ hours of protection.
Keep an eye on the bottle, though. Sometimes they walk off :-)
IS IT SAFE FOR KIDS? I selected the ingredients for safety first and then effectiveness. There was one instance in the past three years in which a young man (about 10 yo) said the product “felt peppery” when on his face. But he said he did not mind using it. To test: on the skin on the inside of the elbow to see if there is any reaction.
IS IT SAFE FOR PETS? Cedarwood oil is toxic for some dogs. The ‘Furry Friend Friendly’ version of the product that does not have the cedarwood or patchouli oils for dogs specifically. I have it on good word that two Bassett Hounds (and their owners) have approved of the fragrance. Others use the Furry Friend Friendly on their dogs to good effect.
Skeeter Skiddadler | Safe Mosquito Repellent | Fragrant Insect Repellent