Anti-mozzie plant experience?

[AlanandMayya]

A quick internet search suggests mint, rosemary, lemon grass and lavender strongly repel mosquitos. Anyone tried growing them (or anything else) in small pots; stand them outside in the day to grow, take inside at night to stop the blighters flying in? Im about to try it. The agricultural co-op here in Moncarapacho sells all sorts in small pots.

 

[tacr2man]

According to James Dill, PhD, an entomologist and pest management specialist at the University of Maine, there's no solid evidence showing that plants will repel mosquitoes, and you'll probably get the same number of mosquitoes landing on you with or without them. Mind you a lot of repellents seem to use the citronella smell
Oil of lemon eucalyptus,
OLE, with the active ingredient PMD, is a plant-based alternative to DEET and picaridin. Its repellent properties can last for up to six hours.
?

 

[AlanandMayya]

According to James Dill, PhD, an entomologist and pest management specialist at the University of Maine, there's no solid evidence showing that plants will repel mosquitoes, and you'll probably get the same number of mosquitoes landing on you with or without them. Mind you a lot of repellents seem to use the citronella smell
Oil of lemon eucalyptus,
OLE, with the active ingredient PMD, is a plant-based alternative to DEET and picaridin. Its repellent properties can last for up to six hours.
?

Well, thats a bitter blow. I can confirm from my own , ahem, research, that human sweat generated by large quantities of gin, tonic and beer positively attracts them. Research continues, however.

 

[suavecarve]

My "Go to" Entomologist at work has left, but I am back on days on Monday and will get a 2nd opinion from whoever I entitle as my new "Go to" Entomologist

Our plan is for Basil and Mint as plants to do exactly what you plan and we have plenty of lavender oils and will probably pick up some dried lavender for the van as well.

 

[AlanandMayya]

My "Go to" Entomologist at work has left, but I am back on days on Monday and will get a 2nd opinion from whoever I entitle as my new "Go to" Entomologist

Our plan is for Basil and Mint as plants to do exactly what you plan and we have plenty of lavender oils and will probably pick up some dried lavender for the van as well.

Oh yeah? Well, my Go To Everythingologist (Mayya) assures me that the British in India invented Gin & Tonic because if drunk in sufficient quantity the tonic you sweat out repels mosquitoes and saves you from malaria. TBH that’s not exactly my own understanding of how quinine controls the malaria plasmodium. But then, I’m just a beer-swilling engineer, whereas she is on her third G&T. Practical experience over theory every time.

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[tacr2man]

I used "Bushman" repellent in Australia to good effect , quite important to avoid getting Ross River virus where we lived. Dont know if available elsewhere.

 

[AlanandMayya]

I used "Bushman" repellent in Australia to good effect , quite important to avoid getting Ross River virus where we lived. Dont know if available elsewhere.

In Brunei we used to cadge these bottles of repellent off the Gurkhas. God knows what was in them, very effective. I think they were authorised for use by soldiers and horses but not by ordinary mortals.

 

[davidbaldam]

I use Avon “Skin so Soft” sounds unusual but I’ve found it works where ever I travel, here or worldwide. Used it while in the Forces after it was recommended to be by some very hard men.

 

[AlanandMayya]

I use Avon “Skin so Soft” sounds unusual but I’ve found it works where ever I travel, here or worldwide. Used it while in the Forces after it was recommended to be by some very hard men.

Blimey. Makes you wonder what’s in it.

 

[Two on Tour]

Blimey. Makes you wonder what’s in it.

I would imagine something that mosquitos don't like.

We have a stockpile of Avon “Skin so Soft” bought as a mosquito replant.

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[Camper634]

I used skin so soft in Italy about 4 years ago.The mozzies thought it was delicious.

 

[jerryz]

Having had Dengue Fever twice in Thailand its very nasty ,and almost fatal both times i hate mozzies , no commercial or plant repellent seems effective and thai folk remedies are also crap,, powerful aircon in closed room is effective as are mosquito nets drenched in DVT ,,,mozzie coils are mildly effective as its copious amounts of hash smoke ,, and petrol they dont like petrol so rub it on .... oh and petrol does not keep girls or snakes away .....fortunately I like snakes

 

[suavecarve]

In Brunei we used to cadge these bottles of repellent off the Gurkhas. God knows what was in them, very effective. I think they were authorised for use by soldiers and horses but not by ordinary mortals.

I ve approached my "Go to" Ghurkas who confirm some stuff they had in Brunei.
At the moment they have let me down as to what it is but I have my team back on Monday

 

[suavecarve]

Ghurkas name this as what they had.
Available on amazon

Jungle Formula Maximum Repellent Aerosol 125ml - Maximum Strength, against Mosquitoes, Biting Insects and Ticks - Up to 9 hrs Protection for Any Destination incl. Tropics- with DEET https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07N8KCTD1?tag=mhf04-21

 

[ManTheVan]

Huge recommendation for “Smidge”. It”s an extract of bog myrtle and it really does work.https://www.smidgeup.com/

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[suavecarve]

2 have been purchased. I LL let you know how the killer mosquitoes of the Carinthian alpine jungle get on with it in May

 

[helzie2020]

Huge recommendation for “Smidge”. It”s an extract of bog myrtle and it really does work.https://www.smidgeup.com/

We use Smidge for midges and it's the best we've found — don't know about mosquitos though. For me, Avon's Skin So Soft is completely ineffective — I've tried it umpteen times and still get bitten.

We have a small usb-powered unit which takes insecticide mats; we leave this on overnight in the van. For outside, we use the Thermacell unit which uses insecticide mats and a tiny butane gas container. Both of these are pretty good.

 

[Stonemags76]

I have not used anything containing DEET since my friend got some on her phone, & it melted the case & stuck it to the bedside table! I have used skin so soft & smidge to good effect with mosquitoes, but avoid Scotland now because of the midges - my husband uses me as a repellent, as the midges are too busy biting me to bother him!

 

[Gellyneck]

Think Avon may have recently changed the formula for Skin So Soft hence the reason it's not now effective. Believe it was as a result of protests by the animal rights groups complaining of cruelty! OK, partly a joke but they also dropped testing on animals!

Think the dry oil spray version is still the original formula, though.

 

[vanfan]

Skin so soft doesn’t work for me either!
We use a fan in the van, works well as they can’t fly through moving air.
Having the worst bites at home in our garden this year apparently it’s all the rain and mild weather we have been having. I am going to try planting some lavender this year I also heard it can help!
Deet in a van can be a disaster if you touch anything plastic as we found out many years ago after leaving fingerprints on our plastic plates and glasses!!

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[TinaLes]

I have too many not so fond memories of having to close my eyes and spray my entire head with Jungle Formula, you can bet your bottom dollar that the bits you don't spray will be attacked.
They seem to find the most annoying of places to bite you don't they?, like any crease in the skin, between your fingers, or behind your knees.
Has anyone tried one of those zapper pens for bite relief?, if so do they work?
LES

 

[Gellyneck]

Has anyone tried one of those zapper pens for bite relief?, if so do they work?
LES

I've tried one but they're a h*ll of a wee target to hit so don't know how effective it is! Sorry.

 

[helzie2020]

Think Avon may have recently changed the formula for Skin So Soft hence the reason it's not now effective. Believe it was as a result of protests by the animal rights groups complaining of cruelty! OK, partly a joke but they also dropped testing on animals!

Think the dry oil spray version is still the original formula, though.

I've tried the dry oil spray recently as well as the lotion formula years ago. Just don't work for me.

 

[Gellyneck]

I've tried the dry oil spray recently as well as the lotion formula years ago. Just don't work for me.

There's your problem. You're just tooooooooo sweet!

Just all like all Weegie folk.

 

[helzie2020]

I have not used anything containing DEET since my friend got some on her phone, & it melted the case & stuck it to the bedside table! I have used skin so soft & smidge to good effect with mosquitoes, but avoid Scotland now because of the midges - my husband uses me as a repellent, as the midges are too busy biting me to bother him!

My husband hardly gets bitten while I certainly do. I seems to be our respective blood groups. I'm blood group O while he is group A.

“Type O blood seems to be a mosquitoes' preferred blood type as compared to A, B and AB, but the only significant difference was when it was compared to Type A,” says Ulysses Wu, MD, Hartford HealthCare's chief epidemiologist and medical director of infectious disease.

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[Gellyneck]

My husband hardly gets bitten while I certainly do. I seems to be our respective blood groups. I'm blood group O while he is group A.

“Type O blood seems to be a mosquitoes' preferred blood type as compared to A, B and AB, but the only significant difference was when it was compared to Type A,” says Ulysses Wu, MD, Hartford HealthCare's chief epidemiologist and medical director of infectious disease.

Mmmmmmmmh, how can they tell what blood group you are without biting?

 

[Jez1966]

TBH that’s not exactly my own understanding of how quinine controls the malaria plasmodium

From my understanding medical quinine was issued to soldier in India to prevent Malaria not prevent mosquito bites.
However due it bitter taste they mixed with soda water and sugar to mask the taste, so inventing Tonic water.
Guessing Gin was a bonus.

 

[poppycamper]

I have not used anything containing DEET since my friend got some on her phone, & it melted the case & stuck it to the bedside table!

Similar experience mith me..
After rubbing (I think) Jungle formula onto Mrs Poppycampers back I picked up my plastic wine glass and ended up with 5 perfect formed finger prints etched into plastic...

 

[vanfan]

The zapper from Boots does definitely take the itch away and I think the bite itself stay’s smaller

 

[Dorset Diver]

Back in the day when I travelled mosquito infested countries on business I had a repeller about the size of an old disposable lighter powered by one AA battery. It was reputed to keep all sorts away from mozzies to elephants. I still have it and I've not seen a wild elephant in the west country for years .