I make my own bug dope from Wilmas beck oil, citronella, tea tree and almond kernel carrier oil.. Few drops and I'm good to go 
How do I stop getting bit?
- Thread starter toptec
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It seems they are attracted to blood type 'O', beer drinkers and dark clothes so most here are pretty much doomed
http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/why-are-some-people-mosquito-magnets
http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/why-are-some-people-mosquito-magnets
Have ye tried eating a banana or putting mint (diluted essential oil or the like) on?
I have to say if you dont want to get bitten by midges or mozzies, get some Stupidly simple, it really is the mutts nutts. I use it my wife and kids use it I even use it on the Dogs, and although watching 2 big American Akita's dance around like idiots in the presence of midges is hilarious, it works on them too, I have tried many cures over the years but nothing has ever actually done what it says like this stuff
That reminds me I need some more !
Fancy a camp out in the next week or so Woodstock and Xylaria ?
That reminds me I need some more !
Fancy a camp out in the next week or so Woodstock and Xylaria ?
I used to suffer badly from after effects of mosquito bites as a child, mainly because I scratched, I suspect.
Back in the 70's I had a job in the Bahamas and again suffered from mosquito bites. The school nurse, a Bahamian, recommended eating plenty of garlic. By the time I left, two years later, I no longer suffered from the effects of bites even though I still got bitten from time to time. Whether it was the garlic or building up natural antibodies, I don't know, but I don't seem to swell up the way I used to. I still eat plenty of garlic so I guess I'm naturally repellent!
I treat the bites with one of those clicking things I bought from Boots a few years ago: it lives in my possibles pouch. This does seem to stop the itching and consequent desire to scratch. However, when I have offered it to other people, some say it works, but some don't, so maybe there is a pacebo effect going on- whatever, it works for me.
One bit of advice I read sounds sensible, but may be out of date. Buy your repellent where you are going, not at home: what the locals use is most likely to be effective against local pests.
Back in the 70's I had a job in the Bahamas and again suffered from mosquito bites. The school nurse, a Bahamian, recommended eating plenty of garlic. By the time I left, two years later, I no longer suffered from the effects of bites even though I still got bitten from time to time. Whether it was the garlic or building up natural antibodies, I don't know, but I don't seem to swell up the way I used to. I still eat plenty of garlic so I guess I'm naturally repellent!
I treat the bites with one of those clicking things I bought from Boots a few years ago: it lives in my possibles pouch. This does seem to stop the itching and consequent desire to scratch. However, when I have offered it to other people, some say it works, but some don't, so maybe there is a pacebo effect going on- whatever, it works for me.
One bit of advice I read sounds sensible, but may be out of date. Buy your repellent where you are going, not at home: what the locals use is most likely to be effective against local pests.
Sorry, I am A+ and get bitten like crazy too. My husband is O and doesn't
Bang goes that theory
EAT oil working the best for me so far.
( from the makers of Stupidly Simple Midge Repel)
They don't seem to want to land if I am wearing it, not landings=no bites.
Third , 24hour trial later this week from me.
Best.
C.
( from the makers of Stupidly Simple Midge Repel)
They don't seem to want to land if I am wearing it, not landings=no bites.
Third , 24hour trial later this week from me.
Best.
C.
I have been told, although not tried the theory out that orange body creams work or anything with that type of smell in them. Im like you I get bitten to death and I have spoken to other friends and we all have A+ blood groups, Good Luck.
xylaria
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
That sounds about right. Orange oil and artifical orange and citrus scents are normally based citronellol and citronellal. They are both midge and mozzy repellants, but when isolated form the natural sources citronellol is mite attractant. So in theory a repellant with the isolated chemical in it might encourage chigger bites. The smell of oranges also attacts wasps. So a synthetic orange body cream would probably work well as a midge repelllant but I am not sure about the chigger bites and wasp stings. The original avon so soft worked because it contained bergamot oil, which is from oranges. Bergamot contains quite a high level of a chemical called geraniol, which in tests repel most insects, and also repels ticks and mites. But it is not past by the FDA or the codex dictats of the EU health committe as an insect repellant, so when avon started marketing so soft as an insect repellent they took it out.
I got into making my own, because I found what was on the market either seriously over priced or just didnt work. The EAT oil is called simply Bug Oil now, and is on sale in the traders section.
xylaria
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Ahhhhh I remember reading the invading romans on encountering southern scots and some britunctular tribes commented that they had hair caked in white mud, and they looked quite frightening. Calcium carbonate absorbs carbon dioxide, lime water burns your skin, but would be something along those lines. I think chalk was used in woad paint. I need to check up, or have a proper historian comment.
this may be a sfq, but that zip lock bag with water in it, do the coins go in the bag with the water and is the ziplock bag closed up/airtight? just wondering how it's meant to keep the little bastewards away?
Given the amount of people killed from mosquito bites each year I'm amazed some African nations are not dishing out these 'natural' remedies to their people.
Autan spray with 20% Picaridin. Far better IMO than strong Deet as its not greasy/oily and you can spray it on your face.
I use Wilmas (more for the smell than the performance TBH), have tried Stupidly simple and rate them but I always take the Autan.
From the second I sprayed it inside my van that was filled with midges last year, they all started behaving differently and tried to get out of the van. It's as though I'm invisible to them and when they do land, I'm not food.
I use Wilmas (more for the smell than the performance TBH), have tried Stupidly simple and rate them but I always take the Autan.
From the second I sprayed it inside my van that was filled with midges last year, they all started behaving differently and tried to get out of the van. It's as though I'm invisible to them and when they do land, I'm not food.
If there are any flying bitey things about they just love me and I come up in big lumps from the Skeeters out here......... in fact this week I got hit by a wasp, which hurt but it was over in a breath and I would take one of those over a Mozzy bite any day!
So, I have tried it all from taking garlic & vitamin B12 since the spring, I have cut out Bananas having heard from many sources that this is bad for attracting them - I have since heard its the potassium, I here its blood group thing and I know that the CO2 is what draws them in. I use Avon SSS, I use OFF! deepwoods formula, various other Deet things in spray, wipes, creams etc. I even have an app on my phone which omits a noise which apparently keeps them away......
All of the above is debatable if it makes an iota of a difference!
The ONLY thing I have any confidence in making any sort of impact on them and it does work if you are fairly static is a Thermacell:
http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-repellent
These DO work and Canadian flying bitey B******s mean business.
I use mine on the archery range too, walking about and it still seems effective
So, I have tried it all from taking garlic & vitamin B12 since the spring, I have cut out Bananas having heard from many sources that this is bad for attracting them - I have since heard its the potassium, I here its blood group thing and I know that the CO2 is what draws them in. I use Avon SSS, I use OFF! deepwoods formula, various other Deet things in spray, wipes, creams etc. I even have an app on my phone which omits a noise which apparently keeps them away......
All of the above is debatable if it makes an iota of a difference!
The ONLY thing I have any confidence in making any sort of impact on them and it does work if you are fairly static is a Thermacell:
http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-repellent
These DO work and Canadian flying bitey B******s mean business.
I use mine on the archery range too, walking about and it still seems effective
we have here something called deet product...
last trip i have while using that
70 mosquitoe bites and 4 ticks
last trip i have while using that
70 mosquitoe bites and 4 ticks
might seem a bit rash (sorry) but I find a good slug of whiskey in the blood sorts most of the critters,
if ive had a good whiskey or 2 nothing seems to bother me, maybe they don't like the smell or taste
maybe im too relaxed and don't notice it? spent months living by a lake in very basic living quarters
having to wash and brush my teeth with lake water, everyone elase got a whack of Gardia and getting chewed to bits
by mozzys, me sleeping with no net most nights and nothing touched me. good glug of Mekong Whiskey
before bed everynight and not a problem. Anyone else has similar experience?
if ive had a good whiskey or 2 nothing seems to bother me, maybe they don't like the smell or taste
maybe im too relaxed and don't notice it? spent months living by a lake in very basic living quarters
having to wash and brush my teeth with lake water, everyone elase got a whack of Gardia and getting chewed to bits
by mozzys, me sleeping with no net most nights and nothing touched me. good glug of Mekong Whiskey
before bed everynight and not a problem. Anyone else has similar experience?
Definitely the most enjoyable repellent to use! Only whisky do you reckon or will other alcoholic beverages do the trick? Guess they have to be spirit strength?