Yes, you can avoid mosquitoes without using DEET

my solution: (4.00 / 5)

move to a city without mosquitoes. For some reason, mosquitoes LOVE me. The entire time I was in the midwest and Texas I was a bug magnet Nothing DEET-free worked, although I can't quite remember if DEET worked either. I think it did? It's been a while since Girl Scout Camp if you know what I mean. The most successful things were long sleeves, pants, socks, and closed toed shoes. Not that anyone wants to wear that in the summer when it's muggy.

"I can understand someone from Iowa promoting corn and soy, but we are not feeding the world, we are feeding animals and soft drink companies." - Jim Goodman

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by: Jill Richardson @ Sun May 24, 2009 at 05:46:27 AM UTC

I'm like that too (4.00 / 4)

I've always liked to joke that people should pay me to take me camping with them.

DEET works on me except when the mosquitoes get going strong here, and very hungry. I've learned the other tricks; do outside stuff earlier in the day, or midday (with full hot sun), wear loose long sleeved clothing, don't drink alcohol while you're working outside (apparently something about that attracts them), there's all sorts of little things you can do, none of which work particularly well for me. We get some serious mosquito-borne disease here, I'm history.

My mother is so unattractive to mosquitoes that not only does she never get bitten, but the one time one tried, she told me once, it keeled over and died. On the other hand, she gets sunburned. I've often wondered if people who tan easily also attract mosquitoes more, though I don't have anything much to base it on.

"If God were to appear to starving people, he would not dare to appear in any other form than food." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Miep @ Sun May 24, 2009 at 06:52:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

That's why I married my wife! (4.00 / 3)

Mosquitoes love her! So when we go walking together, they bite her and leave me to enjoy the mosquito-free walk.

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by: DennisP @ Sun May 24, 2009 at 16:04:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I've read about this a fair piece (4.00 / 5)

and I've found several strategies - avoidance, blocking, and oil repellents. The oil repellents that come up most often are citronella and eucalyptus, mixed into olive oil maybe 1:10, 1:20?

I plan to make my own when the mosquitoes get going, which may well be soon as there has been this strange thing happening here; the sky has grey stuff in it and drops of water are falling out of it! Damnedest thing I've ever seen.

"If God were to appear to starving people, he would not dare to appear in any other form than food." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Miep @ Sun May 24, 2009 at 06:48:10 AM UTC

You can do this with pets also (4.00 / 4)

Mosquitoes don't like me, so I feel blessed. I think I may have gotten a few bites as a very young child, but after that, I haven't been bitten in at least 40 yrs. I also seem to be graced with pets that don't attract fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes.

You do not need to apply toxins to your pets, especially if they are low/no risk. There are many natural applications that will keep you from having to apply toxins to your pets. I would suggest googling around for some info, or speak with a vet who practices with natural along with traditional. Just keep in mind, what works for a canine or human could be toxic to a feline, or for a feline toxic to a dog etc (essential oils etc, you really need to research!). You can buy cloth collars and apply certain applications o them. You can spritz the pet with applications etc. Again, what works for one, could be toxic for another, so don't assume. And my gut belief is diet also plays in :)

The first year I had my dog, I did use "preventive" (aka toxins) with her. Wasn't happy about it, but knew the flea, tick, etc risk as I was around enough shelter dogs to see how many from my hood came in with them. Second season, I only did them sparingly (3 times between April and first frost. Please note, many "monthly" applications last longer!). After that . . . nothing. I decided it was better to deal with a problem if there was one vs "preventive" toxins. All can be dealt with if you stay on top and catch anything early. If I saw any, fleas ticks or skeeters near or on my dog, I would start dealing with it. If I lived in a super high risk area, I would start with the "alternative" preventives at the beginning of the season. When I move, I may have my pets in a higher tick risk area, and I plan to address that when I get there. But we'll be doing the natural preventive route first, which not only looks at the pet, but the home and surrounding property. Toxins are a last ditch option, and I just don't see that happening. Aside from the short stint with my dog, it's been 25yrs without.

As far as catnip oil goes, I have a catnip plant that I bought at the botanical garden and the little tag does say it's an insect repellent, along with about 4 other herbs I bought. So far my cats don't seem to interested in the catnip or mint plants, which has me totally baffled. I thought I would have to keep them in my work room (which they aren't allowed in, dangerous to them). But all 5 are so not interested so far. Would I put catnip oil on me? Nope, not that brave, lol!~

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by: nycstray @ Sun May 24, 2009 at 08:17:09 AM UTC

I asked jennferfree2bme about this (4.00 / 1)

She said,

We had 2-3 cats when we started using it. They're indifferent except if I spill a bit of the oil when I'm mixing it up.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Sun May 24, 2009 at 12:55:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Using DEET (4.00 / 1)

I suppose you are right about DEET, though I've never felt bothered by it.  But then I don't normally use it much. When working out in the garden, once bug season gets serious, what I do is spray and wet down my shirts with Permethrin (sold as Permanone IIRC) and let them dry.  I spray the underside of the brim of my wide-brimmed hat with DEET. That combination works pretty darn well in leaving me mosquito-free.  

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by: DennisP @ Sun May 24, 2009 at 16:08:21 PM UTC

prevention (4.00 / 2)

My wife and I planted lemon grass, and patchouli all the way around our house. We have pennyroyal in pots all over in random places. This seems to lower the amount we have around here. Cooking on an open fire makes them seem a bit more tame. Often when I am doing detailed work in a confined area, I bring along a bee smoker (this works best). When I work in the garden, I grab a handful of patchouli leafs, and rub it all over. Sandalwood water spray works pretty good too.

Most of all I think is tolerance. They use to bother me, I was constantly itching little bites everywhere. But once I gave up and just accepted them, I no longer noticed them. I get bit dozens of times a day, but cannot remember the last time one itched.  

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by: arthurw @ Sun May 24, 2009 at 17:11:19 PM UTC