So ... we've only been in TX for 2 month and in the past two days ... those little boogers have been biting the tar out of us - ugh! Back in VA, I never got bitten .. but down here .. they just leech on my arm. Plus, my 4 year old gets bit NO matter where we are and her bites welp up and get HUGE and itchy. So ... can any of you recommend your favorite ways to 1) repel mosquitos and 2) sooth mosquito bites and 3) perhaps an outdoor product for the air?!!!
Thanks for any help ... I don't want to have to give my DD benedryl - but she just can't take the itching. :-(
Hi S.! I use a wonderful product that keeps the bugs away and also takes the itch out after you get bit. The product is also natural...no toxins or chemicals...I use it on myself, my kids (10 and 3)...it's great!!
T.
____@____.com
1) Repel mosquitos: Nothing beats Deep Woods Off!, but I don't like to put it on my daughter too often because of the DEET. I've not tried the dryer sheets, but might try that soon. There are also wristbands you can buy that are somewhat helpful (not as good as the Off!, but better than nothing). Also, for a yard treatment, try Raid Yard Guard (http://www.killsbugsdead.com/fop_ygof.asp). It keeps the mosquitos away for 4-6 hours, so it's good when you are going to spend the evening in the backyard.
2) To sooth mosquito bites: I'm very sensitive to stinging/biting insects and in my youth had to resort to Benadryl more than once and, sadly, it appears that my daughter has my sensitivity. I use either the benadryl cream or pen on her as soon as I see a bite and this helps to keep them from getting so whelp-y (I just make up words when need them!) and seems to make them go away faster. Chigger-X, which contains benzocaine, works reallys well, too (you can find any anti-itch with benzocaine... they come in a variety of names, but I've always liked Chigger-X).
3) Oops, already answered this in 1)!
Hope that helps... and, welcome to Texas!
P.
here is an email that my friend sent....not sure how well the different options work but it may be worth trying.
we purchased mosquito nix system last year. it was very expensive but worth every penny. our neighbors yard is completely infested and we don't have a single mosquito!
M.
OK, mosquitos..
prepare to be repelled!!!!!
Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in
Louisiana....just wipe on & go...Great for Babies
Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day
April through October. He said it works. He was right.
Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it.
Every one he has talked into trying it works on them.
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin Hydrochloride 100 mg.)
If you eat bananas,
the mosquitos like you, - something about the banana oil
As your body processes it.
Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitos
will be much less interested.
This is going to floor you, but one of the best
insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods
every day), is Vick's Vaporub.
Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off
a smell that bugs do not like,
so plant some in that garden also to help ward
off bugs without using insecticides.
"Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time
"camping out" say that the very best mosquito
repellant you can use is
Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about
half and half with alcohol.
One of the best natural insect repellents that I've discovered
is made from the clear real vanilla. This is the pure Vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks,
don't know about other insects.
When all else fails--get a frog
They are horrible here. Our derm recommends Itch X to soothe the bites. It's over the counter at any drugstore. It's great on my 2 yr old.
For the yard we buy a garlic, liquid concentrate and spray it around. It's pretty effective and all natural. You do have to reapply after big rains, and pretty frequently in general. It's great stuff to spray around right before an outdoor party. You can find it at www.mosquitobarrier.com
If you don't mind the chemicals, we really like the lanterns you can buy now. I think they are made by OFF and you can find them everywhere, along with the refills.
I know people who swear tucking a Bounce dryer sheet in their pocket really works. I've never tried it, but I've had more than one person tell me that works.
If you're in your backyard alot I highly suggest a bug zapper!
I also recommend using Bounce fabric sheets! I tapped one to our backdoor two weeks ago & have yet to see any mosquito's on our porch. I also cut it in strips & tie it to my girls shoe laces or sandals & tie another one on our shorts. When camped in our backyard I tied one to the zippers on our tent & never saw a mosquito. Our backyard is prone to them because we conserve water & have several rain barrels that attract mosquitos but since using Bounce we haven't seen any!!
