Mosquitoes
#16
Re: Mosquitoes
I'm one of those that gets bitten before anyone else.already have several lumps. Apparently vitamin b1 can help. Not yet tried it.
#17
Re: Mosquitoes
I know the feeling. Hubby and daughter don’t seem to attract the buggers, but I do. When I was a child we would often go for a picnic in the countryside Sunday afternoon. Mum, Dad and my sister would sit outside, then probably take a walk through the woods, while I stayed in the car. Monday morning I would be covered in bites, they had none.
#18
Re: Mosquitoes
I know the feeling. Hubby and daughter don’t seem to attract the buggers, but I do. When I was a child we would often go for a picnic in the countryside Sunday afternoon. Mum, Dad and my sister would sit outside, then probably take a walk through the woods, while I stayed in the car. Monday morning I would be covered in bites, they had none.
#19
Re: Mosquitoes
I know the feeling. Hubby and daughter don’t seem to attract the buggers, but I do. When I was a child we would often go for a picnic in the countryside Sunday afternoon. Mum, Dad and my sister would sit outside, then probably take a walk through the woods, while I stayed in the car. Monday morning I would be covered in bites, they had none.
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Mosquitoes
Some people used to swear by an Avon hand and body lotion as a mosquito repellent. Big hunky guys used to buy it for when they went out hunting. I think it was called something like Skin so soft, had a citrusy smell.
I never tried it, and have no idea whether it works, and don't know whether still buy it as a repellent.
I never tried it, and have no idea whether it works, and don't know whether still buy it as a repellent.
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 205
Re: Mosquitoes
my knowledge might be a bit out of date, here goes:
- as above CO2 does attract them. We ran a paint ball business for a few years, and CO2 powered guns had them swarming.
- one goes through five [I think] stages of mosquito bite reaction as the number of bites accumulates ... first time ever, it is a horrible reaction, by the time one is at stage five, it is not even noticeable. It is just not that much fun getting there. I worked in northern Ontario for several summers and regularly reached stage 5. One time, I looked down, slapped my forearm, and killed 17 mosquitos with the one blow!
- the green coils work very well, provided there is not a breeze. But, like DEET, it makes me uncomfortable from a 'wonder what it is doing to me?' perspective.
- they don't fly well in the breeze, so try and plan your picnic/whatever on an exposed piece of land/small peninsula/etc
- they don't like bright sunshine [something about dehydrating them?] so a breezy place in the sun is even better. By now you already know that dusk is the worse time
- empty any standing water around your property - old tyres, etc.
- don't wear perfumes/scented shampoo, fancy scented lotions, etc. Or even better, spray your partner with something smelly before going out.
- they only bite once, so Piff Poff had [at least] 23 mosquitoes in the tent Or, more likely, a hole in the tent through which at least 23 mosquitoes passed!
And, seriously, the mosquitoes are one of the reasons I no longer live in Ontario. Having said that, Scottish midges turned out to be quite a revelation........
- as above CO2 does attract them. We ran a paint ball business for a few years, and CO2 powered guns had them swarming.
- one goes through five [I think] stages of mosquito bite reaction as the number of bites accumulates ... first time ever, it is a horrible reaction, by the time one is at stage five, it is not even noticeable. It is just not that much fun getting there. I worked in northern Ontario for several summers and regularly reached stage 5. One time, I looked down, slapped my forearm, and killed 17 mosquitos with the one blow!
- the green coils work very well, provided there is not a breeze. But, like DEET, it makes me uncomfortable from a 'wonder what it is doing to me?' perspective.
- they don't fly well in the breeze, so try and plan your picnic/whatever on an exposed piece of land/small peninsula/etc
- they don't like bright sunshine [something about dehydrating them?] so a breezy place in the sun is even better. By now you already know that dusk is the worse time
- empty any standing water around your property - old tyres, etc.
- don't wear perfumes/scented shampoo, fancy scented lotions, etc. Or even better, spray your partner with something smelly before going out.
- they only bite once, so Piff Poff had [at least] 23 mosquitoes in the tent Or, more likely, a hole in the tent through which at least 23 mosquitoes passed!
And, seriously, the mosquitoes are one of the reasons I no longer live in Ontario. Having said that, Scottish midges turned out to be quite a revelation........
#22
BE user by choice
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: A Briton, married to a Canadian, now in Fredericton.
Posts: 4,854
Re: Mosquitoes
Have any of you tried one of the Electronic repellents that look like a watch? I’ve suddenly seen a crop of them pitching up on Facebook and wondered if they might work? I find Deep Woods makes me feel awful, my eyes water and I sneeze. I wondered if one might be worth a punt?
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,032
Re: Mosquitoes
I think you develop some sort of immunity to them after a while. I got a couple of bites yesterday which a few years ago would have been huge lumps, I can hardly see where they were now. Having said that I do use the OFF stuff during the worst times - we live on a property with wetlands so it can get bad.