Re: mossies
 

Sounds like you had a busy trip to the Adult Shop in Geraldton :D .

Re: mossies
 

I have the same affliction - no amount of creams or lotions would even ease the pain and itchiness of the bites. I have even been through all the prescription-based medications without success.

I was recently sent a calendar from England with 18th and 19th Centrury remedies. They stated that using peppermint oil is excellent for bites. I tried it and lo and behold it appears to work. And it doesn't smell as bad as everything else!

Re: mossies
 

Must admit I've often wondered about this too..?? If mozzies can spread other nasties like Malaria, Ross River Fever..etc..etc, what's the difference with AIDS? Especially when it only takes using an infected needle to catch it from another person??

Anyway, getting back on track...Tea Tree and Lavender oils (make sure they are the pure, essential oils and not just "fragranced oils") are excellent repellents and are two of the few oils which can be used neat on the skin. They also soothe any existing bites and help them to heal without becoming infected. They are also completely natural and don't contain any harmful chemicals. The bottles are small enough to carry everywhere too!
Other oils which are good repellents are Geranium, Rosemary and Citronella, although these would be best used in a carrier oil and not neat on the skin.
I find these oils to be very effective.

Re: mossies
 

Funny thing is I have been to many mossie countries and even to Oz several times before I settled here but only now do they start biting me!
I bought a large zapper and hang the coils under the tables where we sit and that seems to work. Along with Aerogard, Rid and eating lots of garlic, I seem to be OK now.
Went to a friends house who has a pond near his yard, so being prepared, I wore long trousers shoes and socks and the buggers bit me through my socks! Truly!
So, zapper, coils by your feet, eat garlic and good old Aerogard works for me!

Andrew

Re: mossies
 

Did you know that only female mosquitos bite?

Re: mossies
 

yes....

Re: mossies
 

Bitches!

Bites + itches = bitches!

Scientifically speaking, is that because the female of the species have bigger mouths?

Andrew

Re: mossies
 

scientifically speaking male and female mossies both feed on plant nectar, fruit juices and liquids that ooze from plants. They use this to burn sugar to fly....

blood is reserved for egg production, hence only females bite, male mossies don't need blood.

So un -scientifically speaking, every time you get bitten, you're a shagging mossie :D

Re: mossies
 

Thanks, makes me feel much better about being bitten so often! :rolleyes: :(

Re: mossies
 

How did you know :D

Re: mossies
 

The :D gives it away!!! :)

Re: mossies
 

It isn't bollocks actually..... the reason why a mosquito is attracted to you in the first place is through having a very keen sense of smell. Some peeps smell better than others to them, therefore what you eat, what skin creams you use the amount of carbon dioxide you exude or even what types of medications you may be on are all a factor as to whether or not you even get bitten.

Re: mossies
 

and here is why:


Why are some people more attractive to mosquitoes then others? Scientists are still investigating the complexities involved with mosquito host acceptance and rejection. Some people are highly attractive to mosquitoes and others are rarely bothered. Mosquitoes have specific requirements to satisfy and process many different factors before they feed. Many of the mosquito's physiological demands are poorly understood and many of the processes they use to evaluate potential blood meal hosts remain a mystery. Female mosquitoes use the CO2 we exhale as their primary cue to our location. A host seeking mosquito is guided to our skin by following the slip stream of CO2 that exudes from our breath. Once they have landed, they rely on a number of short range attractants to determine if we are an acceptable blood meal host. Folic acid is one chemical that appears to be particularly important. Fragrances from hair sprays, perfumes, deodorants and soap can cover these chemical cues. They can also function to either enhance or repel the host seeking drive. Dark colors capture heat and make most people more attractive to mosquitoes. Light colors refract heat and are generally less attractive. Detergents, fabric softeners, perfumes and body odor can counteract the effects of color. In most cases, only the mosquito knows why one person is more attractive than another.


Oh how boring my life has become :D

Re: mossies
 

Avoid bananas ... apparently ... according to the latest studies anyway ... also avoid dusk and anywhere close to water ... like Brisbane, Sydney, Perth ...

Re: mossies
 

Like being back at school :zzz: :D