robin1234

Just saw this story on the BBC about the serious & increasing problem of mosquitoes in the UK.

I live up in the woods in Northern New York and I would like to know where to report mosquito bites over here. Not sure if I should alert the county sheriff .. or maybe we have a public health dept.? I do have good health insurance, so maybe I should go to my doctor if I'm bitten by a mosquito. According to the BBC article, "mosquitoes leave you with bites that lead to itchy, swollen welts. " Sounds nasty.

Jerseygirl

Hecky thump...if I went to the doctor every time I got a bug bite I'd spend almost all my time at the doctor's surgery. The itching and inflammation of Mozzie bites lasts for weeks on me...deer/horseflies are the worst.

helwardman

I go for a walk almost every evening and get bitten by mosquitos a couple of times a week (even after applying insect repellant). If I tried to report a "mosquito incident" around here I would be laughed out of the place.

At this time of year, the city sends round a mozzie van every few weeks to spray whole neighborhoods at a time.

S Folinsky

The item does not talk about individuals reporting mosquitos. Here in LA, the agricultural people keep track of insect infestations by putting out these little traps out and about -- I've noticed them hanging in trees and bushes.

robin1234

It does though..
"Based on a survey of UK local authorities, reports of mosquito bites over the last 10 years are 2.5 times greater than in the 10 years up to 1996.
NHS Direct statistics show 9,061 calls in England complaining of bites and stings from early May this year to now - up nearly 15% from last summer."

Sheepdip

Got bitten 5 times last night working in the back yard despite the bug spray! Have found that this 'non-oily' variety of spray is much less effective than the standard stuff.

S Folinsky

Supposedly the amount of DEET indicates the effectiveness.

Weeze

I find skin so soft much better than any of the insect sprays with DEET. Funny how different things work for different folk. While we are on the subject, how come on the same walk, I am bitten but neither my hubby or mini-me are? What makes me delicious?

Egg and Cress

I've been told by a reliable source (my daughter) that carrying an unused sheet of "Bounce" (fabric softener for the dryer) in each pocket makes the mosquitoes avoid you like the plague. It's said they don't like the scent.

As for being "delicious" - you're fresh meat! Not only that, but if you wear perfume, hair spray, some hair preparations, they seem to be drawn to those fragrances. Just for funny-sake - in Arkansas, there's a park that sells a T-shirt with something (I can't recall the phrase right now) about having survived theirs. Some of the mosquitoes that live along the river and thrive among the masses at the casinos in Mississippi are big enough to carry you away and demand ransom!

To kill the intense itching of a mosquito/deer fly, etc., try applying a twisted corner (so it's firm) of a face cloth (flannel to you, I guess) that's been dipped in the hottest water you can stand to the welt. The heat intensifies the itch for a few seconds, but if you've done it right, the itch will go away completely after that. I didn't believe it until I tried it.

Egg and Cress

Try hanging pepperomia plants around your garden - also known as "mosquito plants". I used to have them hanging all around my deck many years ago and they appeared to cut down considerably on the bites - as long as I was in the "magic circle". However, I don't like the smell of pepperomia (must have been a mosquito in a former life), so I don't plant them anymore. Besides, I'm no longer the entree anymore - don't think they like tough old birds.

Jerseygirl

If I clip this to my belt bugs don't bother me...I've used it for about 9 years now. I think you can get them cheaper elsewhere ie Amazon. Off sell something similar.

robin1234

Yes .. my neighbor (a farmer) ties one of those Bounce dryer-sheets on the back of his hat. He claims it keeps most of the flies, including deer flies, away. He said a sheet lasts a couple of days then he replaces it..

Jerseygirl

Doesn't work for me.

MrEmjoy

I like the Ammonia Sticks for the bites. Gives you a nice burning sensation.

another bloody yank

I use a variation of this for chiggers and tick bites. I don't use the cloth, just spray the hottest water I can stand on the bite for as long as I can stand it. It really works, I just did it this morning for the collection of seed tick bites on my ankles. Mosquito bites don't usually bother me too much or I would try it on them as well.:curse: