Under attack the war begins.

[AreWeLostYet]

Do not use those electronic "traps". Some use propane as a bait to draw skeeters in. Last thing you need is anything that draws skeeters in - unless you're just going for body count. Some will just fine you on the way to the bait.

I have a Coleman Instant Setup Screened Canopy. I can literally set it up and take it down in under a minute. Sometimes I put it up over a campground table - just the right size. Keeps morning drizzle off the cooking equipment. I can sit and use my computer or listen to mp3 downloads into the darkness of night, usually with no skeeters or other insects. Occasionally it gets some bugs inside. I just turn it sideways, shake it a few times, then right it and I'm pretty bug free. Or I'll open a side and use something to fan the bugs out then zip it shut. Of course it's not 100%. But the few bugs that evade these efforts can be swatted (or sprayed with detergent solution) and they're the end of it for a while. Also provides shade where there is a shortage of trees. One of the few fantastic equipment investments I've made. Not too heavy either. Folds down and fits without hassle into the included storage sack. Coleman makes some nice stuff. Economically priced too.

When I do use repellent, I spray onto a paper towel, then rub exposed areas. Reduces amount of chemical on my skin and allows more precies placement. Then I may stuff the paper towel around my shirt collar.

 

[GreyWulf]

Propane? I didn't know propane attracted mosquitoes. And how does it use propane it's electric the description does not say anything about propane.

 

[AMGS3]

Hi All!

So I ran across this website a few years ago and it goes into a great deal of detail about what works for making your own homemade mosquito and tick repellent. Using ingredients that are proven to repel bugs. I've been making my own and using it ever since. When I first started making it I used it on my neice and nephew with fantastic results. I lived in northern MN the entire time and have had very little problems with mosquitoes, noseeums, black flies, deer flies, horse flies, or ticks. And this is pretty buggy country 'round here.

So here's the link-
http://www.homemadehints.com/homemade-mosquito-repellent/#comment-17818

The post describes each ingredient and what the purpose for each ingredient is (lengthens repellents active time, is particularly effective against a certain type of bug, slows evaporation on skin, etc) The comments section is pretty long, very repetitive, but also very informative as the author answers every question posted.

A word of caution, many of the essential oils are pretty strong and if used in stronger than recommended ratios could cause skin reactions. I have never personally had or witnessed a reaction, but it could happen. I have also never used this while swimming, so though it's (partially) oil based, I don't know if it would just wash right off in a lake. I suspect it would.

~angie

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[GreyWulf]

Very good info thank you.

 

[sparkett788]

Quick interesting tip.... mosquitoes can only fly at 1.5 MPH.  So sitting in front of a fan works wonders. I hate the chemicals but am forced to sometimes.  I've made a mixture of CREAMY baby oil, added a good slosh of Skin So Soft, and about 15 drops  of lavender essential oil. Seems to work pretty well!  1. I don't know why creamy baby oil. But it works.  Understand Skin So Soft works because of Lavender. Hence the extra essential oil. However it is very greasy, oily, whatever. It's very sandy here and it tends to stick to my skin, especially when riding my bicycle.  I'll take the sand over mosquitoes. My skin is very soft and moisturized though. Lol. Also a good quality essential oil makes all the difference. Lavender oil usually around $10/bottle. Got creamy baby oil at Dollar Tree.

 

[AMGS3]

Glad I could pass it on to someone who can use it.

I agree that it's really important to get a quality essential oil if you are going to use essential oils. There are a lot of "fragrance oils" out there that claim to be real EOs. Sadly, this is a case of there's no such thing as a free lunch. EOs are the product of a complicated manufacturing process with many steps. There are expensive to make. There are a few pure EO brands that sell direct-to-consumer through independent "distributors". (Similar to how Tupperware and Avon Cosmetics salesforce is organized.) IMO it is unnecessary to go through one of these companies to get good quality EOs.

There are many brands that are of fine quality that you can find in reputable food stores, food co-ops, etc. You don't need to get them from the big name vitamin and suppliment franchise stores or from Walmart. I am always leery of "everyday discount" prices on EOs because they are so commonly made with ingredients that are not pure. Also, I do have a brand that I tend to go with about 95% of the time. It's Aura Cacia and is made by a food and herbs cooperative, Frontier Co-op. I like them cause I can buy them either online from the company or through the Swanson Vitamins website. They by no means have a monopoly on good EOs, so look around.

~angie

I hope that this name dropping isn't bending or breaking any rules. If so, please delete that part.

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[Dingfelder]

Okay here we have something definitive from the scientists:

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/why-mosquito-magnet-110000549.html

"What is known now is that your habits, the food you eat, or the perfume you wear do not play as large a role in mosquito attraction as one may think."

Says a lot of it has to do with carbon dioxide emanating from the pores, as suspected, but also that things like having a higher resting heart rate, or regularly exercising causing higher sustained releases of lactic acid, play a part. And that otherwise it is basically genetic.

So yeah, mosquitoes DO like you more or less, it's not all in the imagination.