I'm so paranoid about this now. It's spreading out here in California. I already: make sure there is no standing water around, open the door only a crack while coming in and letting the dog out at night, keep porch light off when necessary, keep ds in past 6:00. What else should I do? Should I buy OFF? Is Deet safe to wear? Please help!

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 10:21 pm:

I've read DEET is the most effective at repelling bugs. My kids are allergic to mosquito bites and swell right up. Our ped. said no more than 10% DEET for kids. Coppertone has a "Bug and Sun" lotion that has 10% DEET, 30 SPF and is waterproof. It works great for the whole family. We used a lot of it while vacationing on a lake this past week.

By Mommyathome on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 11:04 pm:

DEET is highly recommended to keep mosquitos away.

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 11:38 pm:

Ditto DEET. Jules' X fiance and Madison both had West Nile last summer. It was all over our area then. Not so much this year.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 12:59 am:

I have been told by several people who spend a lot of time in the woods that Avon Skin So Soft is better than DEET as a mosquite repellant. However, in doing a quick bit of research I came on this web page:
http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/IPM/Landscape/F2/InsectRepellents.htm

which compares mosquite repellants by the number of minutes it is effective and the range/distance for which it is effective, and DEET products appear to be far and away the best.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 01:02 am:

This page also discusses potential health risks when using products containing DEET, and safe levels of use. http://www.msstate.edu/Entomology/Homepest/mosquitorepell.html

By Paulas on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 02:45 am:

I watched a W5 show a few years ago about DEET and swore I would never use it....however...it's now a matter of the lesser of two evils...so DEET it is for our family.

Some other hints I learned this year on a class trip...

---don't know how they know it but apparently mosquitoes like those of us with o type blood the best (explains why I get bit way more than DH)

---they also like banana smell so don't eat bananas during bug season

---a bounce sheet under your hat or rub your skin/clothes with it is supposed to help

By Feonad on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 06:39 am:

I bought some skin so soft with citrolla. I don't know... Some knat were around me. After I sprayed it they went away...


My friends said she thought it attracted the bees, but only around her son and no one else.

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 08:54 am:

We tried Avon Skin-so-soft years ago when Jeff was playing Little League. It seems to work for some people, and not for others.

I too hate putting *chemicals* on my skin, but you end up having to weigh out which is the lesser of 2 evils.

By Colette on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 09:18 am:

I know the dryer sheet works because my fil uses it all the time.

Dh bought an all natural mosquito repellent that contained gerinol (geranium oil), citronella and I think cedar oil, it worked and smelled great. I can't remember the name but it was in a orange bottle.

By Nicosmom on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 02:45 pm:

Thanks a lot! I will definitely look at the Bug and Sun and dryer sheets.

By Kate on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 05:05 pm:

They prefer a certain color, too, but I can't recall which one!!! I THINK it was dark blue that they love and swarm to. My favorite color is dark blue so I remember being annoyed when I read that as my wardrobe has a lot of that color, so I'm pretty sure it was dark blue that they like. I think you're supposed to wear white to discourage them the most, NOT that it discourages them a whole lot!!

By Amyj on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 10:20 am:

Last year we had a very bad summer with West Nile. You really need to wear a spray that has Deet in it. I put it on my children everyday and just made sure I gave them a bath every night. We bought two propane bug machines last year. They are expensive, but they really work. I became very worried after our dog died last summer. He had West Nile. We also had two neighbors that were very sick. I also read that marigolds help keep them away. They don't like the smell!

By Dana on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 11:20 am:

I never knew DEET sprays came in different levels, so always read the bottle. I just saw it on the news the other day. They recommend the least amount for children and NEVER the highest for kids. Some are labeled specifically for kids.

By Nicosmom on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 12:24 pm:

Thanks for the input. I bought Bug and Sun which has 10% Deet in it. It stays hot here for so long that's why I'm concerned. We have another two months of mosquitos, although I haven't seen too many lately.

By Tink on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 11:57 pm:

Dana, I haven't noticed them much around here either but there are notices in the mail every week and the kids brought home notices today from school. They usually play outside from about 5:30 to 8:00 so I always cover them in Off because I worry about it here too. Let me know what you think of the Bug and Sun so I can pick some up if you like it.