mosquitos
Posted by lisaanddini on Jul 31, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 2179 posts
I never had this problem before. I seem to attract mosquitos and when they bite me I get these huge welts that are super itchy but fade within a few hours. I never used to get bite more often than other people, but lately I can't go outside in the evening wearing shorts. Yesterday I decided to weed my garden after work & covered the exposed parts of my legs and arms in super duper bug spay (yuck) And I STILL got bit twice: once on my neck & once right under my bottom lip!!!!!! The neck one looked like a hickey. >:( My husband says its because I'm so sweet they are atracted to me. Anyone else have this problem? Anyone have a more natural solution than chemical spray?
>:( My husband says its because I'm so sweet they are atracted to me.
Yeah, my gramma used to say that to me, but then I wonder why do they BITE me, if they love me so much... ::)
I came from Savannah, GA home of the low country swamp mosquito and sand gnat (we had no fire flys because the city sprayed pesticides via truck at night). Imagine my joy when I got to the mountains?
Anyway, our crew coach made everyone take vitamin B and garlic supplements, to make us "unpalatable" to the little bastards. It's not full (fool?) proof, but it does help. Also, Burts Bees makes a nice insect repellent that is chemical free (it's apparently vegan, but the comapny - obviously- is not).
Actually, that Burt's Bee Insect Repellent works very well, I highly recommend it. Keeps chiggers and ticks off as well as mosquitos. It is pretty much citranolla oil and some other oils.
OK thanks much! I'll see if Wholefoods carrys it
Another nod to Burt's Bees.
Mosquitoes are attracted to specific chemicals in the carbon dioxide that you release. Some people have more of these chemicals than others (which explains why mosquitoes might eat you alive while ignoring the person next to you). "Repellents" don't actually repel mosquitoes but rather confuse their olfactory receptors so that they don't recognize you as a tasty treat!
:)
I always get told to avoid eating or keeping bananas in the summer. THis is the first summer I don't have bananas around (we are tired of them) and this is the first summer I have been eaten within an inch of my life.
I am not sure, but I know some people have success with it. I am always backwards anyway.
Since I became vegetarian, I have noticed that I don't get bitten as much as the people around me. hmm...
I heard eating marmite keeps the blighters away from you (problem is, tho, marmite keeps my fella away from me too so I cunningly disguise it with a layer of peanut butter on top of marmite on toast! murgh ha ha ha ...
I never heard of marmite. Anyway, the Burts Bees brand bug spray works great! Thanks whoever suggested it. Plus it smells nice too.
Another nod to Burt's Bees.
Mosquitoes are attracted to specific chemicals in the carbon dioxide that you release. Some people have more of these chemicals than others (which explains why mosquitoes might eat you alive while ignoring the person next to you). "Repellents" don't actually repel mosquitoes but rather confuse their olfactory receptors so that they don't recognize you as a tasty treat!
:)
Since I became vegetarian, I have noticed that I don't get bitten as much as the people around me. hmm...
That is so cool/interesting, Storm- thanks!!
I'm with OperaChic- my friend gets bitten alive when we walk our dogs, but when and if I get bitten (not often since the dietary switch) I have had the experience of it NOT itching!!! It's amazing. Guess my carbon dioxide is all good?
i have lived in the south for most of my life, and have heard many people support the garlic theory; i worked in a health food store that sold tons of garlic pills to old folks during the summer. it was like a phenomena! may be worth a shot?
i know your problem was being bitten while moving around outdoors, but i wanted to share this handy concoctive blend i got from BUST magazine that seems to work in a specified place. i LOVE to sit on my porch with my kitties and puppies, and we were all getting eaten alive. i made a few handy sachets filled with the herbs, and whatta ya know, the bites simmered down, big time. i did notice, though, that the herbs must be "updated" and "refreshed" every few weeks. not sure if it's due to our heavy rainstorms, humidity, or general time, but that's the only issue i noticed. they worked for my porch!!
i suppose you can bundle these and display as you wish. i followed BUST's crafty stitched cheesecloth sachets, naturally applying cute felt ladybugs, flowers, etc. and hung them up with colorful yarn.
herb blend (any combo!): fresh mint, cloves, bay leaves, catnip, pennyroyal, and eucalyptus
.........
okay as i pulled out my june/july 07 issue to doublecheck the herb combo (i haven't used the pennyroyal yet), i noticed a recipe for "bug off oil" - here tis:
20 drops eucalyptus oil + 20 drops cedarwood oil + 10 drops tea tree oil + 10 drops geranium oil. blend and apply!
best of luck in staying welty-scratchy free!
I never heard of marmite. ....
It's like veggiemite, a dark and savoury spread, full of B-vits I believe - you either love it or you hate it
Just last night I was woken up at 5 am with 5 bites and had to have my BF search and destroy the mosquito* and as this has been the norm all summer, this post is quite helpful and interesting!
I'll give anything a shot at this point!
* how are we vegans supposed to feel about killing mosquitos by the way? I am surprisingly unsympathetic towards mosquitos, but humane towards any other bug.
Just last night I was woken up at 5 am with 5 bites and had to have my BF search and destroy the mosquito* and as this has been the norm all summer, this post is quite helpful and interesting!
I'll give anything a shot at this point!
* how are we vegans supposed to feel about killing mosquitos by the way? I am surprisingly unsympathetic towards mosquitos, but humane towards any other bug.
Same here. I will kill mosquitoes and cockroaches. I escort all other bugs outside. I know it's still harming an animal, but have you seen the size of the roaches in SC?!?!
I'm reading a book about buddhism right now so I wish I could say that I brush off mosquitos when they bite me, but I usually smat them :( I need to be more compassionate for the little guys (or is it girls? I think i heard somewhere all mosquitos that bite are female) In general, I don't kill anything unless it is biting me.
if there is any risk that its gonna give me west nile virus, it is going down before i do. ;)
apparently citronella, eucalyptus, pine, garlic, and camphor disrupts mozzies sense of smell a bit, so they can't find you. but it only works for an hour or so as a skin repellant* , from what i'm lead to beleive. lots of natural repellants are on the market with formulations including these oils.
*oils are not to be used neat!