I don't stay outside in the evenings once they appear. I'm very afraid of mosquitoes, ever since my dad died of EEE about 10 years ago.

Using a cloth soaked in "Woodsman's Fy Dope" - which REEKS - helps, I'm not sure if it's even still sold. It is really important to eliminate any standing water in the neighborhood, or use BT dunks to prevent the eggs from hatching. Mosquitoes don't fly very far, so controlling the population is worth trying.

I have a Mosquito Magnet and it really mows down the mosquito population considerably. As was mentioned in the last post, mosquitos have a limited range so reducing the population in your immediate area will improve your situation dramatically.

Finding standing water is really the most effective thing you can do. And they will breed in ANY standing water they can find (tire dumps are notorious breeding grounds!). I am perpetually on the helpmeet's can to TURN OVER empty buckets, put the wheel barrows under cover or stand them up when he's finished with them.

We live near a huge swamp and have a little pond on our property. We encourage amphibians, birds, and bats, and we wear insect repellant as the spring/summer "cologne". I hate it! Like diggin', I tend to head for the cover of the house when the sun goes down.

EEE is serious (I didn't realize your father died from it, d.; was it misdiagnosed?); our community is considering enacting mosquito control measures.

Coleman makes a inexpnseive face netting type of hat thing that I wear when the black flies and mosquitos are bad.It works great ..

I got a bug shirt last year when I moved close to NH and have the black flies to contend with as well as mosquitoes. I love it!! I thought it might make me feel claustrophobic but it doesn't. If you wear a baseball cap under it it keeps the netting off your face, along with all the buzzing bugs so you can get on with the gardening, rather than swatting, spitting, and slapping. Gives the neighbors something to talk about, but that's OK.

I bought a "Bug Baffler" from Johnny's (link below), but I'm sure there are other "models" out there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bug Baffler

I did a quick search and turned up many websites, including this funky looking hat. Very WWI, I think.

Here is a link that might be useful: link

Hi,

It sounds like you have a pretty heavy population there. WE bought a mosquito magnet about 3 yrs ago and I really think that does a good job. In addition, I am always rubbing myself with something as I head out...something from the garden..either lavender or mint or something. I forget which one is the best. I think if you google, herbal treatments for mosquitos you might come up with something.

It does work for short periods of time for me. I hate mosquitios too, but I won't even use Off. I also used to try that bath oil from Avon. I forget the name of it. It worked fairly well.

The hat does sound like a good idea too.
:-)

For people that hate the smell of DEET, there is an alternative chemical called PICARIDIN that has been used in Europe and was just introduced in the US last year. This ingredient is found in Cutter Advanced. I've found it at WalMart for a good price. I tried last year and it definitely smells better than regular bug sprays.

I also spray my hat and it seems to keep them away from my face!

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Cutter Advanced

I use a combination of the strategies that others use: I put Bt dunks (which are a bacteria that only infects the mosquito larvae) in the marsh and ponds; I wear long sleeves and long pants, which helps with the tick issue as well; I put insect repellent on my clothes; and I wear a bug net over a baseball cap. I don't often get bitten, though I am outside in late afternoon evening and early morning often, so it seems to work well. I do know that my wetlands (I'm surrounded) had lots of mosquito larvae before I put the dunks in last weekend, and in the past they have seemed to cut down on the numbers considerably.

dig-So very sorry to hear about your Dad.
I'm very worried about EEE. A young lady in a nearby town died from it last year.
We cannot avoid water where we are. Lots of swamp and standing water.
I do not go out at dusk or after. I constantly nag the rest of my family to stay in during that time.
I garden during the day and wear long pants & sleeves & a wide brim hat with a bug net & use deet.
Makes me sad that my kids can't enjoy the yard without fear of serious disease. With fondness, I remember those long summer days playing outside til dark. Loved catching those fireflies!
We had mosquitos, but I don't recall anyone dying!
Those scratchy red spots were just part of summer.