All I know's is that my daddy would cut rows with a riding lawnmower through a blackberry field on that darn hill and spend evr'y afternoon picking blackberries after work and a chigger never took a chunk outta him.

Before he headed out, he took a shot of white vinegar while standing by the kitchen sink. It reminded me of a warrior preparing for battle. Sweatbands on forehead and arms. The vinegar shot. Off he goes to conquer the blackberry field.

He read it the hint from an organic type gardening magazine - and this was waaayyyy back in the late 60's - early 70's.

That's all I know. Decades of successful bug-deterring from a shot of white vinegar at the kitchen sink :-)

If I knew the topic would be controversial in any way, I would have asked him at lunch today on Father's Day. He's in his 80's now - and is still a big believer in his vinegar trick. And, I don't argue with Daddy.

Interesting Starrsville, my grandfather who was raised in Germany but came here as a young man would drink a shot of vinegar daily after his early morning breakfast. He was a man of the land..so even in his 80's he was planting and growing crops and driving his tractor. Perhaps that is why he drank the vinegar. I just thought it was because he liked it as he loved putting vinegar on all kinds of foods.

CM, Some people insist that taking B12 tablets keeps them from getting bitten. Now I don't know but I do know that I will be with others that get bitten up alive my mosquitoes and spiders and whatever and I never get even one bite. I have to have a B12 shot on a monthly basis..so perhaps B12 does keep the bugs away? You could try it (perhaps talk to your doctor first) and see if that helps.

Great suggestions - thanks. I'll make sure I have a full compliment of options with me to keep the bites to a minimum. I'm trying to wrap my head around the idea of drinking a shot of vinegar. I had visions of myself sipping pina coladas on vacation . . . so it is hard for me to imagine belting back a shot of vinegar. Somehow it doesn't fit my vacation fantasy -- but if all else fails I'll be happy to give it a try!

The vinegar might taste better if you put one of the little paper cocktail umbrellas in it. :-d