Mosquitos-help
 

Can anyone help me, my hubby and son get eaten alive by the mossy's here.
My hubby was only outside talking for about 30mins the other night , and he got bitten 4 times on the hand and it is so swollen now. My 11 yr old reacts really bad to them also, i would really like a natural remedy if anyone knows of one, but any other advice would be very welcome.
I really worry about Ross river virus, which a lot of people seem to suffer from here in WA south west.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Make sure there is no standing water in your garden/vicinity of your house. No half full buckets, no bird baths etc.

The only repellant i have found that works is called Bushmans, and its not a natural remidy by a long shot. Lots of good old fashioned DEET i believe. Its not really for everyday use. I get bitten a fair bit in summer. They seem to like the grass, as i get bitten around my ankles alot when i wear shorts and sit outside.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but i don't think there is much you can do.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

I don't know any treatments (apart from Antihistamine stuff) but for a 'natural' alternative to the Deet type products, Avon's Skin So Soft is renowned for its mossie/midge repellant qualities. God knows whats it in but it works.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Repelling Mosquitoes Naturally

Plants and Herbs grown in many gardens today have the potential to repel mosquitoes. They can be used in a variety of ways, but care should be taken, as some people can be sensitive to these plants.

Nature’s Solutions

Pelargonium Citrosa (citrus geranium)
This plant can be grown in gardens or in pots. They offer localised protection against mosquitoes by releasing a citronella scent. They grow to around 1.3 metres in height and are ideal for BBQ areas and verandahs.

Pennyroyal, Marigold, Basil and Rue
Plant these species in pots near doorways and windows. The leaves of these plants can be rubbed onto the skin.

Mint and Garlic
Mint and garlic can be used as an all-purpose insecticide. Use in a spray with equal parts of mint, lavender, onion and garlic. Cover with water for 24 hours, strain and spray around mosquito prone areas.


Are There Any Natural Ways of Repelling Mosquitoes?
YES. There are many natural measures, including plants and oils. It should be noted that these natural methods have been found not to be as effective as the insect repellents that include DIETHYL TOLUAMIDE (DEET).

Plants That Have Been Idenitified To Repel Mosquitoes Include:

Mozzie Blocker (Leptospermum liversidgei) - a native plant which effectively repels mosquitoes within about a 3 metre radius.

Citronella Geranium (Pelargonium citrosum) - when pruned releases a citronella scent.

Pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerarifolium) - flowering plant recognised as a mosquito deterrent.

Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) - plant oil repels mosquitoes.

Lads Love (Artemisia abrotanum)

Several Herbs Have Been Recognised as Insect Repellents, Including:
Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum)
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
Infuse the leaves in boiling water, cool, strain and then place the resulting liquid in a spray bottle, then spray around you.

Basil (Ocimum spp.) grown in pots in a barbecue area or near an open door or window will keep flies and mosquitoes away

and
Pest Repelling Plant info at: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s328661.htm

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

another user of bushmans when they are down in their swarms.

Don't believe everything you read regarding you grow immune to them. I have been out of Britain for over 13 yrs ( I always did react badly to midges in the Uk too) , and been bitten countless of times by mozzies over the years( I actually go into mozzie areas where they are by the millions/billions at dusk etc ). I still react badly to them even after 13 yrs of been bitten by them, where my hubby doesn't, the itch goes in a matter of minutes with him, where it takes well over a week for mine to go.

it's your immune system just fighting any foreign invaders - ie doing it's doing it's job :)

natural remedies and weak sprays work fine if it is just for the odd mosquito in your back yard, it - by the absolute millions/billions no, you need industrial type of cream which I have found Bushmans to be the best.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Get a really good "yard guard" one of those 1/2 acre jobs at least. It's one of those electronic blue light things that zaps the mozzies with electricity, or if you prefer they have ones that attract with light, and use a extractor fan to keep them trapped.

They do work, however takes about 2-3 weeks, before they become 100 pct or thereabouts effective.

Best get two, one for the front of the house and one for the back.

One of the best things I've bought for ensuring comfort outside my house.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Also my Hayfever remedy takes care of most of the itch, I did suffer badly from mozzie bites until I developed really bad hayfever, Now antihistamines in the Hfever remedy take care of most of the bad side affects.

About the only benefit I ever received from getting Hayfever lol.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Not sure exactly how to say this, so I'll just quote the bit and let you work it out for yourself :D

It is suggested that people with smelly feet may actually be the preferred target for a mosquito!

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

I bought one of those. Certainly worked for me! I also use one of those coils that you light and I hang that from under the table where my feet go!
Ironically, in the UK and when I visited "warmer" countries across the globe, I never got bitten by the mossies. Now I live here, they go for me big time! I reckon my blood was full of UK pollution and that's why the mossies stayed away. I am detoxed from those chemicals now so reckon they just get my sweet blood (and alcohol!).

Andrew

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Hehe! I actually knew that, but i promise i don't have cheesers. Im guessing its just because the blood vessels are closer to the skin at the ankles/wrists/elbows, hence the mozzies find them easier to target.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

The best thing I've found is a cream called Aristocort, but it does contain cortisone and is available only on prescription from your doctor.
As a deterrent, I mix either citronella or geranium oil with Johnson's baby oil and apply liberally.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Hiya,

Do you connect them to the mains, or are they battery driven.

Cheers
A:)

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

The decent ones are normally mains. There was a brand called "sectarid" about 20 years ago. Dont' know if they are still going...

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Battery ones are not very good!
You can get mains ones from Bunnings or mail order on http://www.seton.net.au/product_deta...uct_detail.cfm

Andrew

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

We are not in Australia but we do get a lot of mossys here. My daughter swears by garlic capsules, she takes one per day (the odorless type) and never gets bitten. I haven't tried them myself because I react really badly to the bites and I daren't take the risk of venturing out after dusk without covering my exposed flesh with deet.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

If you have been bitten by a mossie rub liquid soap - the sort in a pump dispenser - into the bite as soon as you feel the irritation. It will take away the itch within minutes in most cases. I react to mossie bites but have always found this helps enormously very quickly. Doesn't work on ant bites though.

Liz

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Hi, Mains definetly. Get a midrange one, use a weatherproof powercord, and hang it off a tree or backporch, somewhere where there are foursides showing and the cord can reach easily.


I've got one hanging off a pole, of my back shed. I leave it on 24 hours a day, saves forgetting to turn it on or off. Only uses 20 watts so you hardly notice it on the power bill. I'll probably turn it back on half way through September. bet it's cheaper to run than canned mossie repellents.

Guess I should use a timer.

Hope it helps ;)

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

another thing to do if you are bitten is to make a cross X through the bite with your fingernail - it stops the itching - i have no idea why it works - but it does

drink tonic water too as they dont like the quinine that is in it
hth

pootle26

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Thanks for that. My wife got bitten twice yesterday, so I think we'll have to look into it this year.

Cheers
al:)

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

thankyou all so much for your replies.
what a great bunch you are, i will save this thread and work through and hopefully something will work for my boys. Denise

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

When we 1st arrived our poor son looked like he had measles from all the mozzie bites he got... we now give him something called Mozi Free which is a Vitamin insect deterrent, and also spray him with AeroGuard tropical spray for good measure :D since then touch wood he dont suffer with them anymore.

Claire

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

thanks for that where do you get it from, Denise

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

I also get eaten alive and react in a horrible way to bites. My Huzza is very concerned about us going out to Oz because of this.

However.....I read about three weeks ago about vitamin B Complex. Takes 2 weeks to get into system and you must take it every day. It is claimed they hate the taste. Everyone gets bitten but bugs withdraw from the people they do not like the taste of therefore they do not get the reaction as nothing is injected.

I have been taking it for 3 weeks and have spent all weekend in the garden (normally would be scratching and feeling sick & swollen by now).

Guess what, no bites.

Give it a go.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

I heard that vitamin B 6 helps as you excrete some chemical through your skin that the mossies don't like.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

I resign myself to the fact that im gonna get bitten senseless and deal with the after effect as best i can. Like a liot of people now i dont like to put chemicals in my body unless if i can avoid it. I bought in Boots a few years ago a small electrical zapper (cant think what its realy name is) its about the 1 inch lkong and when you get bitten you click it onthe bite about 5 times and the electrical charge (which you dont feel at all - honestly) somehow stops the itch and therefore makes it less prone to infection and swelling. I know it sounds wierd but you can click as many times as you like no limits! I haveone on my keyring and one one a ribbon that i wear around my neck when i have bites that need attention. I think it cost about £5 but honestly really does work!

Lisa.x

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Spose it depends on where you are living too as I don't have any problems with mossies at the moment. Mind you I think I became immune from them when I lived abroad in the 90's. Initially I got eaten alive but eventually they didn't bother me.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

http://www.mozifree.com/how.htm

Contains thiamine - vit B2 iirc.

Also consider lavender and citronella - Javan is better than Sri Lankan.

I believe eucalyptus oil is also a good deterrent.

HTH.

Sue

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

After looking on the Avon website which particular product is it? Body Spray, hand lotion, body elixer? There are loads of Skin So Soft products.

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

My sister works for Avon, if i remember rightly it was the dry oil spray that was a good insect deterrant-the woodland fresh one, i think.I used to get all the freebees,but since she moved to America this no longer happens...booo! So hope they still do that particular fragrance, if not let me know and i'll e-mail her to find out. Lynn

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Hi,
This probably sounds really stupid but last year there was a story in the paper and it said you should have a daily helping of marmite to stop the mossys. Obviously on toast or bread not straight of a spoon!!
Sharon

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Not daft at all - Marmite is rich in thiamine....

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Can be bought from most chemists, and im not suprised the mozzies dont like the taste by the look on my son's face after he has taken it :eek: :rolleyes:
But it does the trick ;)
Claire:D

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

There are 2 dry oil sprays - Skin so soft & sensual dry oil body spray and Skin so soft & fresh dry oil body spray. Do you know which one? :confused:

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

Hi,
We've moved to Townsville, North Queensland and there are mossies in our garden all day and night - I just go out for a couple of minutes and I get bitten and react really badly. We're only five minutes from Ross River so I worry about Ross river virus and Dengue fever too. But the best thing I've found is Boots aftersun with insect repellant. It's a very light lotion and smells nice - I hate the smell of DEET and the greasy feel of it. Apparently the active ingredient is

Ethyl Butylacetylamino Propionate
Insect repellent, it is highly effective against mosquitoes, horseflies, sand flies, ants, spiders and lice. Outstanding skin-compatibility.

This is supposed to be similar to alanine, a natural amino acid.

It really works, and I think they do a sun block lotion with it in too. I asked if our local pharmacist had anything similar and she said she got her daughter to bring the Boots stuff back from the UK! But that was before I knew what the active ingredient was so now I can check for something local that has it. Otherwise I'll be getting the Boots stuff sent out here!

Also for vitamin B, we are doing the traditional Aussie thing and eating loads of Vegemite. And I'll try and increase my garlic intake too!

Our container arrives tomorrow (woo-hoo!) and I have some Avon skin so soft in there, so I'll take a risk and try that next.

Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Cat

Re: Mosquitos-help
 

OK MY GOOD DEED FOR THE DAY !!!

Mate sells mosquito watches

Apparently only the female mozzy bites ya. This watch emits a sound that scares female mozzys.

Think he charges about 10-15 bucks for the things. Ive used it and it does work

You need to call Starwhist Pty Ltd. Ask for Bevan

Number is 07 3808 3100