Itchy Secrets

Did you know?

In World War 2, dead rats - above - were stuffed with plastic explosive and used by spies as booby traps.

Documents from the war were kept secret for many years after the war finished, so there are certain things that we are only just finding out.

Secret agents working in Europe were given itching powder to spread on enemy clothes and beds.

This fascinating fact was revealed in 2001 in a document held at the Public Record Office at Kew in London.

Sounds strange? They were also given exploding bottles of wine.

Left: Dog Rose - an itchy customer! Photo courtesy of Bob Jones.

The Itchy Bit

Itching powder is one of those useful things that's good to have around, even if you're not an international spy. You could buy it in a joke shop, but it's much more fun to make your own.

The key to a succesful itch is the humble dog rose. Around the end of August, through until November, keep your eyes peeled for rosehips in the hedgerows.

Break a hip open and there you have the magic ingredient. The tiny fibres on the seeds provide the itch factor.

The best tactic is to slip the seeds down the back of your victim's neck. Rumour has it that if you dry the seeds out first, they get even itchier.

Warning: Make sure your friends don't have eczema or allergies before you try the powder out on them, or you will be hugely unpopular.