New Yorkers have experienced the best weather of the year these past few days. It's been fair and breezy in the low 70s, after a hellish few weeks of heatwaves and violent rain. I've felt inspired to switch off the air conditioning and open all the windows instead for circulation. Only problem is, I'm getting devoured by mosquitoes (Mom says it's cause I'm so sweet).
Like many folks, I don't relish the thought of putting tons of chemicals all over my skin to deter them, so I've collected a bunch of items for the home to keep the little *%#!ers biters away.
If you have any experience with these products, let us know how they work!
- Basil, according to some, is a natural mosquito repellent. It may not work unless the mosquitos are close enough to smell the plant's oils, which could be too close for comfort.
- In studies, natural catnip has proven to be up to ten times more effective at deterring pests than DEET, the most common synthetic compound used for that purpose.
- Pyrethrum is a processed chemical made from the chrysanthemum plant that acts as an insecticide and is applied to fabrics, not skin.
- So maybe this is an obvious solution to some of you, but many people aren't aware that adjustable window screens are readily available, and they do an excellent job of filtering what the outdoors brings in.
- Mosquito nets and curtains can either hang around a particular object or box out an entire room. The materials used are similar to window screens, but sometimes have chemicals embedded that resist mosquitos in particular.
- Citronella candles burn to emit a pleasantly fruity smell that mosquitos hate, but they only work within the short range their odors are carried.
- OFF! has created a new repellent product that can either clip onto your person or be left on a flat surface. It builds a constant mist of bug juice in its general area.
- There are some sprays made for furniture and fabric surfaces which are never supposed to make direct contact with our skin.
- The mosquito coil is like incense. You start the burning at its outer end and it lets a repellent smoke into the air for a period of several hours.
- Based on similar technology to an air freshener, electronic vaporizers plug into your walls and scent the air.
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Ok so I'm not the only New Yorker who has a few new mosquito bites a day that I have no idea where they have from?!
Don't use #9 and #10! They're poisonous!
I use L'Occitane lavender wipes when walking the dog...smell great and nontoxic...but honestly, Avon's Skin So Soft works wonders. I've also begun using a "double screen" - adding one of those expandable things that fits into the frame...helps with those old aluminum combo screens that seem to let bugs in through the gaps.
I have a forest of basil on the window sill outside my bedroom and that doesn't work - the window screen helps a lot, combined with a nightly patrol to squash any determined mozzies that squeezed through.
one of my friends recommended getting a man who is tastier!
We were going crazy here in Paris this summer until we started running the fan on low all night. No more mosquito bites!
The mosquito coil is not poisonous, and the suggestion that they are is crazy. They are a traditional Japanese invention called Katori Senko. Literally it means Mosquito (ka) away (tori) incense (senko). It is basically a type of incense and the smell is very similar to the temple incense that is used in Japan and Taiwan.
They have been used for almost a century, and I grew up with them. Think of them this way, they are the proto-citronella with a sort of calming effect, and have a less astringent scent compared to the citronella.
Don't that marigolds and lavender are also great in the flower beds to repel mosquitoes as well.
I use this: http://www.badgerbalm.com/p-21-anti-bug-balm.aspx for while I'm outside.
No DEET, smells great, certified organic and is highly effective. I get welts when I'm bitten and I have only been bitten once this summer - because I forgot to put it on!
I also have those adjustable screens for my apartment. They work great.
Taking B1 vitamins always worked for me.
I burn citronella oil in one of those candle holders that have a bottom part for a small candle and a top thing for oil.
It works every time.
I also found out that citronella is good for headaches...
I think Annie is so awesome I'm gonna bite her!
while in LBI this summer avon's skin so soft was readily available all around town as a mosquito repellant but one store owner took it a step further and suggested that mixing it with orange listerine REALLY does the trick...can't vouch for it though coz i haven't tried it.
Oh, I'm loving this post.
I'm pretty severely allergic to mosquito bites, but it hasn't been a big problem up until now. For some reason (perhaps the buckets of water that the neighbors leave outside...) our apartment has been overwhelmed by biters this year. I've been bitten head to toe, and basically spent the summer deformed and itchy. Very attractive.
Nothing really worked (not even bug sprays), until my Mom got me a mosquito net for my bed. I have the Ikea Hemnes, and she found a double-sized rectangular net that actually sits perfectly over the top and hangs just below the top of the mattress. I'm basically the bubble girl, but at least I don't have to slather myself in reeking bug repellent to avoid looking like Quasimodo!
I'm one of those who are allergic to mosquito bites. Last August when I went to China, I brought a natural strong lavender/oatmeal soap for the shower and then sprayed on Sabon lavender oil (I think it's a mix of almond oil and lavender oil). I barely got bit. It also works here, as when I forgot to put it on in here in New York, I get bit.
The Sabon Lavender oil looks sexy and smells yummy too!