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I hate mosquitoes, and even though I've never experienced them, I'm sure I hate midges too
Are you saying you've never been bitten before?
Mosquito AttractantsUse this list of items and activities that attract mosquitoes as a list of things to avoid or that can be used as bait to lure mosquitoes away from you. * Dark Clothing Many mosquitoes use vision to locate hosts from a distance. Dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants. * Carbon Dioxide You give off more carbon dioxide when you are hot or have been exercising. A burning candle or other fire is another source of carbon dioxide. * Lactic Acid You release more lactic acid when you have been exercising or after eating certain foods (e.g., salty foods, high-potassium foods). * Floral or Fruity Fragrances In addition to perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, watch for the subtle floral fragrance from fabric softeners and dryer sheets. * Skin Temperature The exact temperature depends on the type of mosquito. Many mosquitoes are attracted to the slightly cooler temperatures of the extremities. * Moisture Mosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around your body. Even small amounts of water (e.g., moist plants or mud puddles) will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce. Natural RepellentsIt's very easy to make your own natural mosquito repellent. These natural products will effectively repel mosquitoes, but they require more frequent reapplication (at least every 2 hours) and higher concentrations than DEET. Because of the differences between types of mosquitoes, products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient. As you can see, natural repellents tend to be volatile plant oils. * Citronella Oil * Lemon Eucalyptus Oil * Cinnamon Oil * Castor Oil * Rosemary Oil * Lemongrass Oil * Cedar Oil * Peppermint Oil * Clove Oil * Geranium Oil * Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic Another plant-derived substance, pyrethrum, is an insecticide. Pyrethrum comes from the flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium.Things that Lower Repellent Effectiveness * Many Sunscreens * Dilution from Rain, Perspiration, or Swimming * Absorption into the Skin * Evaporation from Wind or High Temperatures
... don't eat bananas in the summer time.
I heard one time that mosquitoes can smell potassium in your blood for up to a mile away.
That's true, mosquitoes find certain people more "yummy" than others.
Apparently they like cheesy feet. There's an article in the newscientist about it from a few years back... honestly!
My last 2 times in the Caribbean I've kinda won the battle against mozzies. Maybe because I have less rum in my blood as I did when I visited the island in the early 90s, or maybe I've gone off?Either way it was the sandflies that caused the biggest problem, especially for my missus. Her sandfly bites flowered to red blotches that measured about 8" across. They didn't bother her too much, but they looked horrendous.This thread hasn't seen any action for nearly 5 years. That reminds me: how's the love life, dweez?
Benadryl is good for bug bites. They sell it in a topical creme or a roll on stick you can carry with you. I was last in the Caribbean in Sept. and the skeeters were terrible. That was annoying enough but there was also the threat of Dengue fever, which is no picnic.Around these parts, I'm concerned more about West Nile virus. I'll be sure to wear repellent when I go berry picking in another couple weeks. Yikes. I can't believe the summer is flying by so fast.
I've bought self-erecting, dome mosquito nets for the beds. They are under 2kg and are about as big as a deflated football so they are no trouble at all to transport. That should offer us safety at night and during the day I generally catch the biting critters with my trusty chopsticks.
Money well spent my friend!!! The mosquito dome nets I mean. The chopsticks I'm not so sure, Miyagi.
I just brought a mosquito bracelet repellant for 99cents. Not sure it will work but figured it's only a dollar.
I always wondered if they work. Let as know, mishca.
...satellites are starting to use me as a navigation landmark...
Apparently there are many topical stuffs that repel insects but the efficacy of most of them is transient. This makes them ineffectual where mosquito-borne infectious diseases are a problem.
How is the repellent applied?Commercial availability is still far down the road—there needs to be more toxicology tests on the formula, as well as field tests, Bernier cautioned.But he said that it could be used indoors or outdoors and would probably work best released into the air rather than applied to the skin. For example, the repellent could be emitted from a sealed canister that releases a vapor slowly into the air, creating a sort of protective bubble around your environment.For instance, if you're sitting outside on a patio, you could install several canisters around the patio, he suggested.
I like this idea as sunset triggers a run for cover when I'm in the Caribbean:
Which is the best time to be on a patio and have something to eat and drink in the summertime? Lets say... from 6 to 9 PM? Mosquitoes answer yes to those questions.
