Any One Else a Mosquito Magnet?

[Liberalynn]

It doesn't matter what type of repellent I wear they come after me. I have bites all over my arms and back and they itch like crazy.

Any one have any natural based suggestions that might work better than the chemical brands which I am not to crazy about using any way?

Also what's the best anti-itch fighter. Tried Cortizone 10 and that hasn't helped much. Rubbing alcohol has been the best so far but it wears off too quick.

We've also dumped all the standing water and it seems kind of dry this year so I am not sure why they are out in such force so early. Mosquitoes are one of the reasons Fall and not summer is my favorite season. :)

[newscott]

1. I too am a magnet for them.

My mother-in-law told me she read that mosquitoes prefer men over women. Not sure if that's true, but I can be outside standing right next to my wife doing the crazy mosquito slapping dance and she's not being bothered at all.

[Liberalynn]

13. Hadn't Heard That

I hadn't heard that before about men over women. I did read something about people with high cholesterol attracting them more but my Mom and my sister's are high too and they don't seem to come after them.

[xultar]

2. Me Too! I feel ya!

[Liberalynn]

19. They are sure nasty

little critters. I always look forward to the frosts to get rid of them.

[Systematic Chaos]

3. It's been a long time but....

I lived in Cape Coral, Fl. in the early 80's and that place was a mosquito madhouse. I seem to remember using lemon juice as a repellent and getting far fewer bites that way. Have you, or has anyone else, tried that?

[Liberalynn]

12. Haven't Tried the Lemon Juice

No, I haven't tried that one but I will have too. It is getting ridiculous. I go out to garden and come in covered in bites.

[barb162]

4. do you use scents

Also if you perspire a lot they are attracted to that

[Liberalynn]

14. I do use

scented deoderants and shampoos. Maybe I should try switching to the unscented and I do sweat a lot when I'm outside.

[barb162]

35. Yes please try that. The more I use unscented stuff the less I am

a magnet for these bugs. I have a girlfrind who uses a lot of perfume and then she will also wear flowered and /or bright shirts. She gets nailed a lot by bees, wasps, and other bugs.

[StClone]

5. Try Numzit

The sore gum remedy. It contains a pretty good topical pain/itch reliever.

You are probably in good shape. People in good shape seem to have a higher metabolism and release more chemical cues to attract the pests.

[Liberalynn]

15. Numzit

I will have to buy some of that cause the itching is driving me nuts. Thank you for the recommendation.

Unfortunately I am not in great physical shape but I still might be releasing some kind of chemicals that they like.

[purr]

6. I must taste really good..

I walk out on my porch and BAM there they are..

[Liberalynn]

16. Our

blood must taste like Godiva to them. :)

[Codeine]

7. Exactly the opposite

I get a mosquito bite maybe once every three or four years. My wife gets them constantly, so I know they're here, they just don't like my smell or something.

[Liberalynn]

17. You are very lucky!

[havocmom]

8. Somebody gave me Ciara dusting powder years ago. Didn't like the scent

but come sticky summer and out of my regular powder, I used it. We went out on a pond for some fishing and it was the first time the skitters didn't chew my hide. Every time I wore that stuff, no bites :shrug:

Another odd but true tip: a dab of liquid antacid on those bites, allowed to dry (not pretty but what the hell..) and it really helps the itch. An old nurse put me on to that eons ago when I worked at a State Hospital for the Developmentally Disabled. We had an outing and me 'n the kids in my ward got chomped big time. The white goo really helped everybody. Course, we all looked like we had lost some kind of Liquid Paper war.

[Liberalynn]

22. I will have to try both of those.

I don't think I have the Ciara but I think we have some Malox in the medicine cabinet.

[SW FL Dem]

9. I AM and it sucks

I have never found anything natural that repels them effectively. I am very allergic to the chemicals in the heavy duty stuff so I use a family type spray that is DEET free and just expect to get bitten. I have heard that eating a low salt diet may help and I do notice that I get bitten worse when I sweat alot.

The only good thing I have to say is that my resistance to the bites seems to be growing. We moved to Florida 5 years ago and I used to get huge quarter sized mosquito bites that made me miserable for several days. Now, I get bitten, but as long as I don't scratch, the bites stay small and go away in a day or so.

[Liberalynn]

23. That is good to know

that the resistance can go up. Mine get huge and the itch like yours used to and they do make me miserable for several days as well.

[FizzFuzz]

10. not really--I'm a red-light magnet, and a guy I knew years ago was

an animal-fart magnet.

Twice I have warned friends riding with me about my problem. They poo-poo'ed it until we got to where we were going. BOTH times, they just turned to look at me with this weird stunned expression, and BOTH times they said "My God, you really ARE a red-light magnet!!"

When my frined told me he was an animal-fart magnet, I thought it best not to poo-poo.


.....anyway, I've heard that eating alot of garlic helps to repel mosquitos.

Wish I could find the antidote for red-light magnetism.

[eyepaddle]

11. This probably won't help you much,

but the average mosquito bite "swellimg" only lasts for 30 minutes or so. If you can avoid scratching them they go away pretty fast. It took years of practice, but I hardly even notice mosquito bites anymore.

I've got sixteen on me right now that I can count. I spent a month on a tropical island in the middle of the Pacific and they were in awe of my ability to ignore the ever present bugs.

Not that I don't have my limits! If I'm camping I have a bug suit. It's like a head net--but it's a jacket and pants. Bug PROOF! No chemicals AND it works against all kinds of insects even those horrible, horrible HORRIBLE black flies.

[Liberalynn]

24. Black flies

are disgusting too and there's some type of little bees that keep chasing my dog and landing on her ears and I keep swatting them off for her.

I will have to start wearing longer and thicker clothes outside but on these really hot summer days and nights that's hard but I think I've reached the point where it is necessary, and I will try hard not to scratch the bites.

[eyepaddle]

Go to some camping equipment store

or website and see if you can find a bug jacket. They're very light and allow lots of air through, but are made out no-see-em netting like in a tent. Bugs CANNOT bite you through that stuff. It might look a little funny at first--but anybody who doesn't recognize genius when they see it, well, you can't worry about them anyway! :D

[Liberalynn]

26. We have some sporting goods stores

in the area. I will check them out.

[eyepaddle]

27. Good luck! NT

[Liberalynn]

40. Thanks Eyepaddle

I saw one of the jackets today in a catalog and am going to send for it.

[Robeson]

18. Yes, they love me. I think its because I'm so cute and sweet.....

...:P

[Liberalynn]

25. That's Putting A Positive Spin on it.

We should be flattered. I would be okay with it though if they shared the love they have for me with others just a bit more. ;-)

[tinfoilinfor2005]

20. I use OFF here in the tropics...I spray it in the air and walk through it

like they rcommend with perfumes. It doesn't take much but it works...about half a day. Then I have to reapply. PS...do not spray it on finger on toenail polish. It will ruin polish instantly.

[Liberalynn]

28. Hadn't Tried

walking through it before. I was spraying it directly on my arms and clothing.

[fortyfeetunder]

21. I must be really tasty..

Being female, they go for me like gangbusters. When I was a kid I had to take antihistamine for the itching...

One February afternoon, I was outside doing yard work wearing a thick Nordic wool sweater. Pacific NW winters are mild, so I know the mosquito eggs don't freeze, we can expect them almost year 'round. And I'll be damned if a crew of those mosquitoes were trying to drill through the sweater!!!! I retreated for the house.

[Liberalynn]

29. I don't blame you for retreating.

I would have too. I'm sorry you have them almost year round. At least here in NY State after about one or two good frosts their gone.

[fortyfeetunder]

30. I am not looking forward to visiting Alaska next year

It will be my first trip and I hope it is still cold when I go...otherwise those monster bugs will think, wow, Seattle cuisine!!!

[eyepaddle]

31. Get the bug suit mentioned above

you will NOT regret it. Plus, they're cheap. :)

[BeTheChange]

32. It all depends on your mosquitos..

They seem to be different from area to area.

Bounce dryer sheets. Put one in your pocket or in a belt loop on jeans. Evidently it prevents the mosquito from smelling you. Ive had successwith this in upstate ny.

B1. It takes a few weeks for it to build up, take 100mg above the recommended daily B dose. That does it for me in the carribean for mosquitos and noseeums

I know people from the uk that consume some type of sandwich spread.. mar.. something. They say the mosquitos dont like the scent in makes you give off.

Ive also heard of garlic.

As for after a bite, I use vinegar instead of alchol. Its alot less harsh on my skin

Edited to add this link which seems to have some good info:
http://www.detoxprogram.net/articles/mosquito-traps-propane.php

[Liberalynn]

46. I'm from Upstate NY too.

I have some of the Bounce dryer sheets and I will hook them on my belt loop when I go out to work in the garden tomorrow morning.

The heat has been so bad the past couple of days, I have been staying in except for walking the dog and a quick watering job on the veggie plants.

Thanks!

[Liberalynn]

50. Thank you so much

for suggesting the vinegar. That worked so much better than the alchol for stopping the itch and some of the swelling went down as well. The effect lasted a lot longer too.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

33. Try Avon Skin So Soft

It's not organic; but it sure beats DEET, and it truly works!

[Liberalynn]

43. My sister

has a friend who is an Avon lady so I'll ask her to order me some.

Thank you!

[XemaSab]

34. They come in my house and bite me

while I sleep....

I hit at least 5 this evening while trying to read in peace.

[Liberalynn]

42. That is the worst

when they come inside and buzz around your ears at night and you wake up the next day covered in bites.

Hope you are soon able to get relief from them too.

[XemaSab]

53. neeeeeee eeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeee eeeeee............

......eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (SMACK!)

Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (SMACK!)

Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

(etc)

[Liberalynn]

54. :) Good one!

:thumbsup: :rofl:

[Wcross]

36. Do you eat a lot of Bannana's?????

Potasium attracts skeeters, if you avoid hign potasium foods they will not be as attracted to you. I have also found that taking a garlic supplement will also keep them at bay.

[Liberalynn]

41. I have bannas on occasion but not a lot of them.

I do like yams though and I think they are high in potassium. I have a baked one about once a week.

I will have to check out the garlic supplement. I have heard that can help with a lot of health issues too.

[bikebloke]

37. As a kid, but no longer

Back when I working in the Negev desert, I was sitting next to a lass who was getting eaten alive. She looked over at me, surrounded by clear skies. And thus I was thumped.

Once and a while I'll get bitten, but without the resulting itchy swelling. I reckon I developed an immunity along the way.

[Liberalynn]

49. It's

hopeful news that you can develop an immunity to them. In the past years it did seem like my reaction to the bites was lessening but this year they are swelling up again, turning all red, and itching like crazy.

[bikebloke]

52. Addendum

Sand flies are another story. They really marked me up. In New Zealand, after a long day's trek on my horse (bike), it was nice to relax in the tent with the evening breeze blowing in. So would the sand flies. Even after a major battle to clear them out, if one was left inside when I zipped closed, it would pig out on me through the night. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to stay in NZ legally to develop an immunity.

[BlondieK143]

38. Oh man! I definitely am!

and I'm allergic to the damn things too! It doesn't matter what type of bug spray I use - they find me. And I swell up something horrible if I have a few on my body at the same time. :( It sucks, doesn't it?

[Liberalynn]

39. It sure does

and for some reason they seem to have started here a lot earlier this year. Hope you are able to find some relief from them too.

[CatholicEdHead]

44. Mosquitos

and ESPICALLY Horse Flies. I get the buzzing my head at a moment's notice when I am outside.

[Liberalynn]

47. Those are bad too.

They are not easy to get rid of when they are pestering you either. They stick right with you wherever you go. I usually end up doing a weird dance in the yard, swinging my arms around my head to chase them off. I'm sure it gives the neighbors and the cars going by on the road a good laugh.

[ofrfxsk]

45. me too

No matter what I do they find me. I wear nothing with a perfume smell and use deet. My husband could sit right next to me bathed in honey and not get a bite. I'll be covered in bites before the night is over. It's ridiculous.
I'm now battling a mild case (thank goodness) of west nile that will probably go on for 6 weeks according to my doc.

As my husband says, "You're just too sweet." Yeah, I wanna punch him too.

[Liberalynn]

48. Don't Blame You

for wanting to punch the hubby about that.

I wish you well in your recovery from West Nile. Hope the little critters will start leaving you alone soon too.

My mom didn't believe me about how bad they are this season but even she who never usually gets bit ended up with 3 bites tonight. They're viscious varments.

[ofrfxsk]

51. Thank you so much.

This has been an odd few weeks. I've felt absolutely awful. 100 degree fever, bad muscle pain, nausea and weird itching constantly with other symptoms. It took my doc a while to figure it out. I had a bite that would not heal and I had a feeling about it. I have an immuno problem where in my body just attacks itself with over production of histamines so I was more susceptible than most.
I'm going to get through this but it is a pain in the butt right now.
I keep joking that I'm not leaving the house til October when those little shits are dead. lol