My Last Fear: Mosquitos and Mosquito Nets

Sunray · Nov 13th, 2005, 23:44

i've always managed to hang a single point net with some 5m of 5mm nylon rope and some lateral thinking.

If you are worried about not being able to hang a net, then once in India, head for a shop that sells AllOut plug in anti-mozzie stuff. About 90rs for the uint and the repellent. They also do square coils. The plugin will clear out a fairly good size room in about an hour.

I wonder whats in it, because in Cambodia, I think I was the only thing left alive in the room in the morning. Used ones bought in Thailand and they are nowhere near as effective. Definately could use one in place of a net.

Sama · Nov 14th, 2005, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vespar

I think I have read that some Vitamins can help. Anybody heard of this.

before I was in Chennai in September, I read that vitamin B-1 was supposed to help. tried it, did not deter the little suckers at all.

everyone I was with for the month got bit up, DEET or no DEET. They even bit through my clothes.

Nick-H · Nov 14th, 2005, 01:38

5mm nylon! Goodness,that would come in handy for climbing out of the window and down the wall... ... ...

lawgirl4 · Nov 14th, 2005, 04:32

I've been to India twice - the first time for 4 months (sept - dec) and the second time for 2 months (sept & oct), primarily in Rajasthan. I've never had an issue with mosquitoes. I think you should definitely get a mosquito net - I just bought that "mosinet" that was posted in this thread - and make sure that you sleep inside it every night.

People emit different "smells" that the insect world definitely picks up on - some people are more "attractive" to mosquitoes, others not so much. I think that's why you're getting such a variety of responses here.

don't be so nervous about it - you'll be fine!

mca2005 · Nov 18th, 2005, 09:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muss

Hi, i've been looking in to this over the last few weeks, in ready ness for a few months in tamil Nadu.... Apparently lemon grass is one of the best deterants, they neither like the plants or the oil extraction, you can use a stem of lemon grass, mash the end in some vodka (or some such alchohol) and aply like a roll on stick.... my friend has tried this before and said it did work for him, but his girlfriend didnt like the smell.....I'm not totally convinced so i'm loading up on Deet as well as some lemon grass extract.... might see if i can find a plant for my room... will compare the number of bites to last years trip, as i spent the first week in the south being feasted on by the little sods..... and my journal is full of bite counts and squashed mossies.... got alittle carried away with it....

the well respected mayo clinic and other places say lemon eucoplytous is a good natural detterent;
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ins...ellent/FL00083
Products containing DEET have long been the insect repellents of choice in the United States. The CDC now says repellents containing the chemical picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus offer comparable protection from mosquitoes when used in similar concentrations.

I am bringin this and 30% deet

edwardseco · Nov 18th, 2005, 10:44

I used lemon grass oil. The problem was getting it fresh since it loses effectiveness fast and it was very, very oily..

camelgirl · Nov 18th, 2005, 21:15

Here I go again

! I ALWAYS recommend this company for their free standing mosquito net called the Skeeter Defeater. My husband and I each have a single one. You won't need it often, but it's tiny & light and good to have. You can practice putting it up at home before you leave. Check it out at: www.longroad.com

Also, newly approved by the CDC as actually being effective for mossies and made by Repel a product called Lemon Eucalyptus repellant. Less toxic than Deet. I bring both.

mca2005 · Nov 18th, 2005, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgirl

Here I go again

! I ALWAYS recommend this company for their free standing mosquito net called the Skeeter Defeater. My husband and I each have a single one. You won't need it often, but it's tiny & light and good to have. You can practice putting it up at home before you leave. Check it out at: www.longroad.com

Also, newly approved by the CDC as actually being effective for mossies and made by Repel a product called Lemon Eucalyptus repellant. Less toxic than Deet. I bring both.

yes that's what i am bringing its not half bad smelling either...though i wouldn't use it as colonge

it comes in cream and spray forms..

wonderwomanusa · Nov 19th, 2005, 01:55

If you sleep with the fan on, the mossies can't land to bite you!

Someone has told me about "bug buttons," which they took to Africa -- here's something that describes them: http://www.biome.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=2 24

camelgirl · Nov 19th, 2005, 04:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderwomanusa

If you sleep with the fan on, the mossies can't land to bite you!
[/url]

That's definitely true and probably why we rarely needed our mossie net BUT it is India and that electricity situation can be iffy! Actually, we once had a ceiling fan that terrorized us in Kashmir. It went really really slow, then in the middle of the night it was like a propeller on a plane and we thought the whole room would take off or it would fly off and decapitate us. It's the only fan experience I will never forget!!

But normally, fans are excellent for keeping the mossies away.

Lightdancer · Dec 5th, 2005, 11:11

Has anyone tried burning lemongrass or other incense that could act as repellents? Figuring and hopeful the smell and the smoke could keep the buggers away?

I'll be taking stuff to put on skin too and will have netting on bed but....

Just curious

biswajit_27 · Dec 5th, 2005, 13:14

Dear all, being an Indian, living in India, I most probably fail to comprehend your "paranoia" about mossies. I will only go to the extent of saying that they do exist :-).

But to the traveller, who intends to travel in northern india in the Jan-Feb months, I think it will not be a problem. The mossies go into hibernation in the winter. The temperature in Delhi right now is 6 degree celsius (which even on the Farhenhite scale is low). There is scarely any mossies around.

Secondly, please get your blood checked. The scientific reason why mossies bite you is that they need the "eastrogen" hormone to lay their eggs. Depending on the content of the aforementioned hormone in your blood, the shell of the mossie egg will be strong or soft.

So make sure, you do not come in here carrying extra hormone (though I am sure India will cure you of all those extra hormones :-)...), that's the reason mossies like the female of our species better than the male species. (typical story of cat-fight).

If you are a "normal" male, do not worry, the rest half, please do worry.. lol

There is another thing I forgot to mention; If you are going to visit the eastern coastal region, beware that malaria will stalks you there. The winters are mild and hence will not stop the mossies from taking a bite; so if you are an "all-thumbs" person, "learn" the knots and sleep inside the mosquito net ( incidentally it shouldn't be very difficult for anyone with average to below average IQ, people who are below even this broard IQ-range, death shouldn't matter so much......lol..)

Nick-H · Dec 5th, 2005, 13:47

Speaking as a "normal male", with the standard number of ovaries for a male, I can not only say "do worry", but I am doubtful of your science.

As I understand it, they need food before they lay their eggs and their food is mamalian blood.

Certainly it is true that they like some people more than others, and there may well be some blood-content theory for this --- but there's plenty of men getting eaten alive, and plenty of women they don't touch.

Here in Chennai they certainly are less when the weather is very hot. We do not have the opportunity to find out if they don't like it cold. Certainky they are plenty active here in day/night temperatures of 28/23 at the moment.

SilverButterfly · Dec 5th, 2005, 14:24

Ive just returned from 3 weeks in India - Mumbai and Goa and before I left I was paticularly concerned about being eaten alive by mozzies as in summer I usually get eaten alive by them.
I thought Id wait until I got there to buy my Mozzie proof products but found I didnt need to at all. Apart from getting a few nibbles in Goa, I was bite free for my whole trip and to be honest there didnt really seem to be many lurking around (then again I dont have insect goggles).
Always take the precautions others have mentioned in previous posts and most of all think positive!
If you keep thinking theres no way your going to be able to put up a mozzie net, then chances are you probably wont. True, some people are more skilled at these things than others, but that doesnt mean you wont be able to!!

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it" - Lou Holtz

strawberry · Jan 17th, 2006, 18:15

I've read all the mozzie advice and hav egone an dgot my self some deet lotion to rub on when needed.
also will be buying my malaria tablets of course.
will be travelling start of feb in mumbai and over the next 2/3/4 (depending on cash) months will travel to goa and delhi and many other places which i've not decided upoin yet.
i plan to give it a go with the lotion and if problems arise just buy a net in india as am sure they are easily available there.
is this an ok approach do you think?
thanks.
ps know off the topic but am very excited. got visa yesterday. waited three hours in london which didnt seem all that bad to me and now am just very excited to be finally leaving. last day at work on friday as have quit and then just book flights and health insurance and i'm off to india. yay.

Nov 14th, 2005, 01:38	#18
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,426	5mm nylon! Goodness,that would come in handy for climbing out of the window and down the wall... ... ... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 5th, 2005, 11:11	#26
Lightdancer Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 28	Incense for Mosquitos? Has anyone tried burning lemongrass or other incense that could act as repellents? Figuring and hopeful the smell and the smoke could keep the buggers away? I'll be taking stuff to put on skin too and will have netting on bed but.... Just curious

Dec 5th, 2005, 13:14	#27
biswajit_27 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 66	Mosssie & the rest of the world Dear all, being an Indian, living in India, I most probably fail to comprehend your "paranoia" about mossies. I will only go to the extent of saying that they do exist :-). But to the traveller, who intends to travel in northern india in the Jan-Feb months, I think it will not be a problem. The mossies go into hibernation in the winter. The temperature in Delhi right now is 6 degree celsius (which even on the Farhenhite scale is low). There is scarely any mossies around. Secondly, please get your blood checked. The scientific reason why mossies bite you is that they need the "eastrogen" hormone to lay their eggs. Depending on the content of the aforementioned hormone in your blood, the shell of the mossie egg will be strong or soft. So make sure, you do not come in here carrying extra hormone (though I am sure India will cure you of all those extra hormones :-)...), that's the reason mossies like the female of our species better than the male species. (typical story of cat-fight). If you are a "normal" male, do not worry, the rest half, please do worry.. lol There is another thing I forgot to mention; If you are going to visit the eastern coastal region, beware that malaria will stalks you there. The winters are mild and hence will not stop the mossies from taking a bite; so if you are an "all-thumbs" person, "learn" the knots and sleep inside the mosquito net ( incidentally it shouldn't be very difficult for anyone with average to below average IQ, people who are below even this broard IQ-range, death shouldn't matter so much......lol..)

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Nov 13th, 2005, 23:44	#16
Sunray Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North India Posts: 140	i've always managed to hang a single point net with some 5m of 5mm nylon rope and some lateral thinking. If you are worried about not being able to hang a net, then once in India, head for a shop that sells AllOut plug in anti-mozzie stuff. About 90rs for the uint and the repellent. They also do square coils. The plugin will clear out a fairly good size room in about an hour. I wonder whats in it, because in Cambodia, I think I was the only thing left alive in the room in the morning. Used ones bought in Thailand and they are nowhere near as effective. Definately could use one in place of a net.

Nov 14th, 2005, 04:32	#19
lawgirl4 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: chicago, usa Posts: 9	I've been to India twice - the first time for 4 months (sept - dec) and the second time for 2 months (sept & oct), primarily in Rajasthan. I've never had an issue with mosquitoes. I think you should definitely get a mosquito net - I just bought that "mosinet" that was posted in this thread - and make sure that you sleep inside it every night. People emit different "smells" that the insect world definitely picks up on - some people are more "attractive" to mosquitoes, others not so much. I think that's why you're getting such a variety of responses here. don't be so nervous about it - you'll be fine!

Nov 18th, 2005, 10:44	#21
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,436	I used lemon grass oil. The problem was getting it fresh since it loses effectiveness fast and it was very, very oily..

Nov 18th, 2005, 21:15	#22
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,103	Here I go again ! I ALWAYS recommend this company for their free standing mosquito net called the Skeeter Defeater. My husband and I each have a single one. You won't need it often, but it's tiny & light and good to have. You can practice putting it up at home before you leave. Check it out at: www.longroad.com Also, newly approved by the CDC as actually being effective for mossies and made by Repel a product called Lemon Eucalyptus repellant. Less toxic than Deet. I bring both.

Nov 19th, 2005, 01:55	#24
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dhaka Posts: 3,571	If you sleep with the fan on, the mossies can't land to bite you! Someone has told me about "bug buttons," which they took to Africa -- here's something that describes them: http://www.biome.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=2 24

Dec 5th, 2005, 13:47	#28
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,426	Speaking as a "normal male", with the standard number of ovaries for a male, I can not only say "do worry", but I am doubtful of your science. As I understand it, they need food before they lay their eggs and their food is mamalian blood. Certainly it is true that they like some people more than others, and there may well be some blood-content theory for this --- but there's plenty of men getting eaten alive, and plenty of women they don't touch. Here in Chennai they certainly are less when the weather is very hot. We do not have the opportunity to find out if they don't like it cold. Certainky they are plenty active here in day/night temperatures of 28/23 at the moment.

Dec 5th, 2005, 14:24	#29
SilverButterfly Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 16	Ive just returned from 3 weeks in India - Mumbai and Goa and before I left I was paticularly concerned about being eaten alive by mozzies as in summer I usually get eaten alive by them. I thought Id wait until I got there to buy my Mozzie proof products but found I didnt need to at all. Apart from getting a few nibbles in Goa, I was bite free for my whole trip and to be honest there didnt really seem to be many lurking around (then again I dont have insect goggles). Always take the precautions others have mentioned in previous posts and most of all think positive! If you keep thinking theres no way your going to be able to put up a mozzie net, then chances are you probably wont. True, some people are more skilled at these things than others, but that doesnt mean you wont be able to!! "Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it" - Lou Holtz

Jan 17th, 2006, 18:15	#30
strawberry Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: uk Posts: 27	I've read all the mozzie advice and hav egone an dgot my self some deet lotion to rub on when needed. also will be buying my malaria tablets of course. will be travelling start of feb in mumbai and over the next 2/3/4 (depending on cash) months will travel to goa and delhi and many other places which i've not decided upoin yet. i plan to give it a go with the lotion and if problems arise just buy a net in india as am sure they are easily available there. is this an ok approach do you think? thanks. ps know off the topic but am very excited. got visa yesterday. waited three hours in london which didnt seem all that bad to me and now am just very excited to be finally leaving. last day at work on friday as have quit and then just book flights and health insurance and i'm off to india. yay.

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