MOZZIES
 

You have probably covered this topic many times before and it may be an ideal opportunity to inform other new members about the dreaded mosquito. Does anyone out there have any recommendations as to acts as the best deterent?
I have tried garlic capsules and vitamin B1 tablets, which apart from repeating on me and upsetting the missus had little effect on the mozzies!
I have recently been using a jungle formula spray with DEET which gives a little relief from being bit to death but inhaling the contents will probably mean I do not make it to retirement!!!!!!!!!
Apart from staying in Yorkshire, any suggestions?

Re: MOZZIES
 

Have a wife that the mosquitoes prefer to you.

Works for me.

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Well I'll certainly be watching this thread, but not for myself particularly, because one thing I'm intrigued about ref. the dreaded mozzies is they seem to prefer some folk's flesh above others. My dd was bitten alive in NW Argentina, I had a few bites. My oh gets attacked by every flying thing conceivable in S Spain, I'm pretty much immune..... am I smelly or is it the others? :rofl:
We use citronella oil lamps outside, plus incense burners, in the house we put on one of those electric insecticide thingies about an hour before bedtime.
And NOT having mad Siamese cats who favour clambering up the mosquito netting therefore rendering it useless is an invaluable tip........:frown:


bil...you got there before me!

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:rofl:

Well, my anti moz strategies are as follows;

1. screens over the windows.
2. doors firmly closed after sundown.
3. don't go out after sunset in the worst of the mozzie season.
4. bedroom patrol with swat just prior to lights out.
5 succulent wife.

I was told by someone that a very fine spray of cedar oil in water will keep them away for the night, but you have to keep repeating it, and frankly it's just too much trouble.

I do remember reading somewhere that some people excrete a chem in their sweat that is related to limberger cheese, and that's what draws them in.

Blacklights (UV lights) are supposed to be helpful.

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Do you mean indoor or outdoor? I use Sonata antimosquitos plug. Plug it in and never had anymore problems. Forget the spray, for indoors.

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I have the windows open all night but with "plug ins" switched on from dusk onwards. Never have a problem and neither do the rest of my family or guests.

Outdoors, I use a repellant with a high percentage of Deet.

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I checked the US test results on the effectiveness of various repellents a short while ago.
Deet came out best and safest,.....however........they all have a limited period of effectiveness and even deet only lasted approx. one hour.
A mixture of eucalyptus and lemon also came out as one of the best.

If things are really bad, as where I now am in Sweden,its either a case of stay indoors,...... or cover up fully,......incl.arms and legs.....with light very loose fitting clothes,(anything thin and close fitting they often bite right through),....plus a bee-keepers hat or light mesh face screen.

Sounds a bit drastic, but many ppl.are prisoners in their own houses in some areas here in mid-summer and often the temperatures are up in the 30s and occasionally not far from that close to the Arctic where the mozzies are just as bad or even worse.

Re: MOZZIES
 

i get bitten beyond belief and react badly at that - i have found that Boots own insect repellent works best for me - it comes in a grey spray can - it contains 50% deet - think they also do a lotion that you rub in - if you having breathing problems like asthma might be a better option. Both stink rally badly (i am not allowed to spray them on indoors) - but they do work - and i don't get bitten as long as i spray everywhere - would definetly recommend this - have tried lots of other supposed repellents, but this is the best i have found.

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I understand that it is the percentage of Deet that is relevant. The less Deet, the shorter the amount of time that it is effective. I was advised to get a repellant containing a minimum of 40% for a trip to Singapore.

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If you react badly to the bites, try a hot poultice, as hot as you can bear for several minutes.

It really does kill the itching and reduces swelling and redness in a lot of people. It does work better the sooner you apply it. I just use a folded sheet of kitchen towel wetted, and put in the microwave for about 8 seconds.

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Plant eucalyptus trees instead of pine? (Ask Rugbymatt.)
Avon's "Skin So Soft" Spray?

How unlucky!:blink:

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[QUOTE=Carol&John;7793618]Plant eucalyptus trees instead of pine? (Ask Rugbymatt.) [QUOTE]

We've got about five or six rather large eucalyptus to one side of the house (possibly slightly too close for comfort, but that's another story....) but I'm not aware of there being fewer mozzies that side than the other.

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[QUOTE=fionamw;7793951][QUOTE=Carol&John;7793618]Plant eucalyptus trees instead of pine? (Ask Rugbymatt.) Have you counted?:sneaky:

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Another thing that helps stop the itching is to stick a piece of sellotape over the bite. Not sure, but I think the theory is that the pressure stops the bite reaction from spreading. I was sceptical but I tried it recently and it really did work, the bite seemed to go away much quicker as well.
I also make up a 10% solution of ammonia and cooled boiled water to apply as soon as I am bitten, stings a bit but does help stop the itching and big red lumps.

Of course the best method is not to get bitten ...I'm still working on that one, apart from spraying chemicals which I am not that keen on I have made an outside area that I can pull mosquito curtains around. At least it means we can sit outside without being harassed by mossies.
Yvonne

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Are these "plug ins" the ones that look like the air fresheners - and do you only use one/two in a room? ( I am like a woman possesed when I hear a mozzie in the bedroom - much to my oh's disgust when he is trying to sleep - they only bite me not him!)

Re: MOZZIES
 

[QUOTE=fionamw;7793951][QUOTE=Carol&John;7793618]Plant eucalyptus trees instead of pine? (Ask Rugbymatt.) Hi fionamw,
I could have missread the quote from rugbymatt:o

Re: MOZZIES
 

Many thanks for all your replies!
Fionamw - you are correct in saying mozzies are selective in chosing their victims. My wife and no.1 son rarely get bitten. One of the S:ohmy:panish locals tells me it is because I have sweet blood!
Indoors is not a problem as we have the plug-ins and a uv lamp with electrified coil. Sat outside in the evenings is not a problem as I tend to be covered in aftersun lotion which contains anti mosquito additives.
Tolly - I also use the Boots tropical spray in the daytime but it is only effective for around an hour.
Carol&John - we have several 80ft eucalyptus trees to the rear of our house which were pruned at the end of May. Even the scent of fresh eucalyptus in the air did not prevent me from getting bit whilst I cut up the wood!
Yvonne - the missus thinks I am daft enough already without wrapping myself up in sellotape! I can just picture the look I would get when walking into the bank - you crazee Breetish!!!!!!!!!!

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ah well, then eat marmite sarnies, plus apply the SSS by Avon. It's worth a try.

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Yes those are the ones, to use with tablets or some have a small glass container of liquid attached underneath which is slightly easier than replacing the tablets daily.

I use one in each bedroom.

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Many thanks :thumbup:

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look out though. some of the liquid ones leave a vertical stain/shadow on the wall above the electricity point...especially if your walls are white/cream etc.

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Thanks - not noticed that, but the walls were white until recently!

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I suppose also, if you go to bed a bit earlier, and then get up early too.

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Funnily enough I was chatting about this in my local the other night. Me and the barman came to the conclusion that we don't get bit, at all, because of the alcohol in our blood and the fact that if you drink you excrete alcohol in your sweat. Allegedley.

The missus gets bit by what looks like must be small flying tigers. She was recommended Autan spray as a repellant.

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Reckon its either one of two things,.....

1.-The alcohol acts as an anaesthetic,so even if you do get a bite you dont feel it,..........or

2.-The mozzies are punch drunk as soon as they get a sniff of you and so fall flat on their backs comotosed.

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[QUOTE=montgomail;7794039][QUOTE=fionamw;7793951]For a moment I thought you meant the trees....only a moment, you understand...:blink:

[QUOTE=Carol&John;7794245][QUOTE=fionamw;7793951]No, you're right, he definitely said eucalyptus could be used as anti-mos; I just meant that as we have trees one side of the house I can say with certainty the other side of the house definitely has mozzies and although we use the back terrace rather less, I don't think it's mozzy free (the garden below certainly isn't!

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I find Witch Doctor gel (obviously enough it contains Witch Hazel) is normally very good at removing the itchiness of Mozzie bites. Can normally be bought in Boots.

Just put a small blob on the bite and don't rub it in just leave it.

Hope this helps.