Fighting Mosquitoes: A Beginner’s Guide

deburn · Nov 5th, 2009, 06:13

That's a great link Satyagraha, thanks! Some great ideas for non-chemical alternatives

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satyagraha

This thread seems to have strayed somewhat from the topic. Here is a useful and interesting article I found on anti-mosquito repellents & drug treatments. http://journeytoforever.org/edu_homer.html

Among them - Lemongrass, Peppermint Oil, Catnip (more effective than DEET), Neem and Artemisia annua.

Peg A. Ming · Nov 8th, 2009, 16:53

Oh boy what a bless all this info, and the feel that others may be experiencing some of the same desperation i get into sometimes! Not only those tiny buggers LOVE my blood, but also, once bitten, my body reacts in strange and not-all-that-funny ways, and get grape to apple-sized, mofo hurting blimps all over my body. It´s something serious. Once I was about cancelling a greece trip (3 weeks ahead), because, by the 6th day of moving around, I terribly resembled the elephant man. My face, my head was a mishapen, swollen basketball. It doesn´t only hurt, you also feel literally sick. It ain´t no joke for me. so I´m taking:
-My king sized round mosquito net, along with thread to hang it if neccesary (thanks for the tip to I don´t remember who), along with a thick roll of dutch tape, the strong kind, to stick it to the ceiling if no other way is available.
-4 small bottles of the strongest repellent you can get in Spain, named "Relec", the xtra strong formula (there are two kinds). It sprays and it seems to work ok on me for 2-3 hrs, provided I don´t leave uncovered the tiniest spot.
-I´ve also heard of a bracelet they sell in pharmacies in france. If it exists, I´m getting two, one for each wrist. Any info will be appreciated.
-I´m also taking some small sticky tags you put on your clothes.
They sell them in pharmacies in spain, you get a paper with all this very small square adhesive things to stick ONLY in clothing.
-Antihistamine tablets, and several creams for the afterbite.
And, once in India, I´m getting:
-The infamous coils
-2 good knighters
-Repellent. Please, advice: I want the strongest kind. I don´t mind if it dissolves my shoes. Brands, please.
-Remedies for the itching. If somebody knows of any good after bite treatment available in India, please tell me the brand name.
-The badminton zap. Much as I like Zappa, much as I may be fascinated at first with the sight and sound of the gadget while frying the flying, may it be public that I don´t enjoy killing them. To me it´s a matter of survival. I understand the damn beasts bite me only BECAUSE IT´S IN THEIR NATURE. One has to respect that, or be dumb. I just need to minimize the risk.
Do you think I´ll be sort of protected?
Thank you all, Peg A. Ming

Nick-H · Nov 8th, 2009, 17:24

Peg, it is the percentage of DEET that matters rather than the brand; it determines how long the repellent repels. Get at least 50%. As you react so badly, I wouldn't even bother with trying anything else.

Dutch tape? Well, English people call it Duck tape (and there is a brand of that name), so I don't see why it should not also be called "Dutch"! If you meen the silvery, very sticky stuff, it is called "Duct" tape, formerly. I don't know that hotel owners will be very pleased about you sticking it to the ceiling, as, at best it may leave a sticky mark, at worst. it could bring the paint off! Can you get one of those nets like a pop-up tent that does not need tying? That would be ideal for you.

Coils: Do not sleep in a closed, unventilated room with a coil lit.

You can sleep with a GoodKnight (recently, I have found Mortein to be a more effective brand of the same thing).

The coils and the GoodKinights kill mossies --- so you might as well use a zapper!

Good luck with the fight.

Peg A. Ming · Nov 9th, 2009, 00:22

Dear Nick:
That´s all there is available, 40% deet, on the strongest formula of "Relec" here in Spain. Can you suggest a higher percentage brand (commercial name please) that´s readily available in India?
You´re right. Duct tape. You must excuse me as english is not my first language. Yea I mean the really sticky silvery kind, 3" wide. Yes, I thought it could at times tear off the ceiling paint. Tough luck for the hotel owner: as I said, mine is a fight for survival. And I´m ready to tip, if the rip is significant enough.
By the way, one month in this blog has made me know you- in a blog manner, that is. Your fine sense of humor and knowledge is highly appreciated. Thanks a lot, and good luck on your own fight. I´ll tell you about the bracelets when I do get them. Peg.

"Make it greasey so it´ll go down easy" (frank ZAPpa)

Nick-H · Nov 9th, 2009, 01:38

Bring your repellant with you. Our Odomos is about 12%, which is fine if you are re-applying it through the day, but will not last through the night.

I'm fighting a couple just now... and in a power cut! I got one with the zapper, but the other is still somewhere

!

And all I have to find it by is one desk lamp and the light of the PC screen!

edwardseco · Nov 9th, 2009, 14:41

I am so glad that Nick finds his zapper useful. Bringing one made me the laughing stock of my inlaws (course they always laugh at the son in law). Now I feel vindicated..

Nick-H · Nov 9th, 2009, 22:33

... and I did get that second mossie! But it bit me first...

ashokha · Nov 20th, 2009, 16:04

Government can try to eradicate mosquitoes by using electronic mosquito destroyer. In retails the cost is around 100 rupees. If the Government purchase them on bulk the cost will be only 50 rupees. The Chinese make is more powerful. We can distribute them to the houses and the children will do the rest. In my house I am alone killing more than 100 mosquitoes daily. If the entire city will be distributed with the equipment we will eradicate the entire mosquitoes with in a month.

Nick-H · Nov 20th, 2009, 23:58

Wow, and I thought I was a mass murderer! (of mosquitoes).

Unfortunately, the fact that you are killing so many a day shows that killing the adults is the least effective means of control. Killing the larvae is what counts.

Mosquitoes could be eradicated by ensuring that there is no waste water, open tanks, etc, and that all water bodies are treated with larvicide.

Of course, there is a downside to everything, when it comes to messing with nature, and, in this instance, I guess it is hungry birds!

edwardseco · Yesterday, 00:27

Quote:

Government can try to eradicate mosquitoes by using electronic mosquito destroyer. In retails the cost is around 100 rupees. If the Government purchase them on bulk the cost will be only 50 rupees. The Chinese make is more powerful. We can distribute them to

I have my strong doubts. These are are used againsts gnats and other senseless and harmless insects. The consensus seems to be that mosquitoes are remarkable adaptions of nature. If I can recall the theory, it takes heat, light, aroma, and motion to attract them. Its not just a blue light, etc. They do make such devices and now they are made in small, almost portable form costing about 70-110 USD. But, who is going to fill the propane constantly for that purpose? Its also a free rider situation where one household ends up paying to clear a neighborhood while the rest..

Nick-H · Yesterday, 00:58

Are we talking about the electric racquets? Or the UV insect traps?

The latter will catch a lot of mosquitoes. It is worth having one in the room. However, whereas a moth would make a beeline (sorry) for it, the mossie will get tempted only if it happens to be close anyway.

If you have one outside, you will catch and kill a lot of friendly, harmless insects, which is a shame.

If I could get one of propane devices here in India, I would certainly contribute the gas! In fact, I'd buy three!

How are they now in USA? Last thing I read was that they worked well, but broke down regularly, especially just after the warranty expired. It is a couple of years since I last checked the internet for info about them.

Nov 8th, 2009, 16:53	#152
Peg A. Ming Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: madrid, spain Posts: 22	mosquito allergic, first timer, scared shitless Oh boy what a bless all this info, and the feel that others may be experiencing some of the same desperation i get into sometimes! Not only those tiny buggers LOVE my blood, but also, once bitten, my body reacts in strange and not-all-that-funny ways, and get grape to apple-sized, mofo hurting blimps all over my body. It´s something serious. Once I was about cancelling a greece trip (3 weeks ahead), because, by the 6th day of moving around, I terribly resembled the elephant man. My face, my head was a mishapen, swollen basketball. It doesn´t only hurt, you also feel literally sick. It ain´t no joke for me. so I´m taking: -My king sized round mosquito net, along with thread to hang it if neccesary (thanks for the tip to I don´t remember who), along with a thick roll of dutch tape, the strong kind, to stick it to the ceiling if no other way is available. -4 small bottles of the strongest repellent you can get in Spain, named "Relec", the xtra strong formula (there are two kinds). It sprays and it seems to work ok on me for 2-3 hrs, provided I don´t leave uncovered the tiniest spot. -I´ve also heard of a bracelet they sell in pharmacies in france. If it exists, I´m getting two, one for each wrist. Any info will be appreciated. -I´m also taking some small sticky tags you put on your clothes. They sell them in pharmacies in spain, you get a paper with all this very small square adhesive things to stick ONLY in clothing. -Antihistamine tablets, and several creams for the afterbite. And, once in India, I´m getting: -The infamous coils -2 good knighters -Repellent. Please, advice: I want the strongest kind. I don´t mind if it dissolves my shoes. Brands, please. -Remedies for the itching. If somebody knows of any good after bite treatment available in India, please tell me the brand name. -The badminton zap. Much as I like Zappa, much as I may be fascinated at first with the sight and sound of the gadget while frying the flying, may it be public that I don´t enjoy killing them. To me it´s a matter of survival. I understand the damn beasts bite me only BECAUSE IT´S IN THEIR NATURE. One has to respect that, or be dumb. I just need to minimize the risk. Do you think I´ll be sort of protected? Thank you all, Peg A. Ming

Nov 9th, 2009, 00:22	#154
Peg A. Ming Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: madrid, spain Posts: 22	dietitholamede 40% Dear Nick: That´s all there is available, 40% deet, on the strongest formula of "Relec" here in Spain. Can you suggest a higher percentage brand (commercial name please) that´s readily available in India? You´re right. Duct tape. You must excuse me as english is not my first language. Yea I mean the really sticky silvery kind, 3" wide. Yes, I thought it could at times tear off the ceiling paint. Tough luck for the hotel owner: as I said, mine is a fight for survival. And I´m ready to tip, if the rip is significant enough. By the way, one month in this blog has made me know you- in a blog manner, that is. Your fine sense of humor and knowledge is highly appreciated. Thanks a lot, and good luck on your own fight. I´ll tell you about the bracelets when I do get them. Peg. "Make it greasey so it´ll go down easy" (frank ZAPpa)

Nov 20th, 2009, 16:04	#158
ashokha Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: pudukottai Posts: 1	electronic mosquito destroyer Government can try to eradicate mosquitoes by using electronic mosquito destroyer. In retails the cost is around 100 rupees. If the Government purchase them on bulk the cost will be only 50 rupees. The Chinese make is more powerful. We can distribute them to the houses and the children will do the rest. In my house I am alone killing more than 100 mosquitoes daily. If the entire city will be distributed with the equipment we will eradicate the entire mosquitoes with in a month.

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Nov 8th, 2009, 17:24	#153
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	Peg, it is the percentage of DEET that matters rather than the brand; it determines how long the repellent repels. Get at least 50%. As you react so badly, I wouldn't even bother with trying anything else. Dutch tape? Well, English people call it Duck tape (and there is a brand of that name), so I don't see why it should not also be called "Dutch"! If you meen the silvery, very sticky stuff, it is called "Duct" tape, formerly. I don't know that hotel owners will be very pleased about you sticking it to the ceiling, as, at best it may leave a sticky mark, at worst. it could bring the paint off! Can you get one of those nets like a pop-up tent that does not need tying? That would be ideal for you. Coils: Do not* sleep in a closed, unventilated room with a coil lit.* You can sleep with a GoodKnight (recently, I have found Mortein to be a more effective brand of the same thing). The coils and the GoodKinights kill mossies --- so you might as well use a zapper! Good luck with the fight.

Nov 9th, 2009, 01:38	#155
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	Bring your repellant with you. Our Odomos is about 12%, which is fine if you are re-applying it through the day, but will not last through the night. I'm fighting a couple just now... and in a power cut! I got one with the zapper, but the other is still somewhere ! And all I have to find it by is one desk lamp and the light of the PC screen!

Nov 9th, 2009, 14:41	#156
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,841	I am so glad that Nick finds his zapper useful. Bringing one made me the laughing stock of my inlaws (course they always laugh at the son in law). Now I feel vindicated..

Nov 9th, 2009, 22:33	#157
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	... and I did get that second mossie! But it bit me first...

Nov 20th, 2009, 23:58	#159
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	Wow, and I thought I was a mass murderer! (of mosquitoes). Unfortunately, the fact that you are killing so many a day shows that killing the adults is the least effective means of control. Killing the larvae is what counts. Mosquitoes could be eradicated by ensuring that there is no waste water, open tanks, etc, and that all water bodies are treated with larvicide. Of course, there is a downside to everything, when it comes to messing with nature, and, in this instance, I guess it is hungry birds!

Yesterday, 00:58	#161
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	Are we talking about the electric racquets? Or the UV insect traps? The latter will catch a lot of mosquitoes. It is worth having one in the room. However, whereas a moth would make a beeline (sorry) for it, the mossie will get tempted only if it happens to be close anyway. If you have one outside, you will catch and kill a lot of friendly, harmless insects, which is a shame. If I could get one of propane devices here in India, I would certainly contribute the gas! In fact, I'd buy three! How are they now in USA? Last thing I read was that they worked well, but broke down regularly, especially just after the warranty expired. It is a couple of years since I last checked the internet for info about them.