A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#1

Post by anonymuse » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 1:57 PM UTC

A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent
nytimes.com

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#2

Post by npsimons » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 2:31 PM UTC

That's nice; get back to me when you find something portable, ie something good for hiking.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#3

Post by hsuresh » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 2:39 PM UTC

This has been fairly common knowledge, at least here in India, where mosquito menace is common. Another really popular product is what is known as mosquito bats (swatters) like here: http://www.hunterbat.com/mosquito-swatters.html#rechargeable...

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#4

Post by mixmastamyk » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 2:50 PM UTC

I learned this on a trip to Nepal many years ago. Turn on the overhead fan in your room and the mosquitos never get a chance to land. Of course you wake up with cotton mouth and eyes, but it was worth it.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#5

Post by sadkingbilly » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 2:52 PM UTC

Or put a dryer sheet in your pocket. Have it hang half-way out. Skeeters hate the stuff. And you smell good.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#6

Post by eksith » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 2:55 PM UTC

This is the standard procedure in Sri Lanka as well, when people aren't lighting those poison coils (because some people still don't have indoor fans) or putting on the mosquito net when sleeping.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#7

Post by VLM » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 2:57 PM UTC

npsimons wrote: post #2

That's nice; get back to me when you find something portable, ie something good for hiking.

Locally most of the nature trails are built thru swamps (aka eco warriors holy wetlands). They're economically worthless, so they make nice parks and trails.

The point of the article is they can't fly faster than 2 mph or so. Simply move faster than 2 MPH. I've ridden my bicycle thru swamps and not gotten bit.

I also hike and between walking and a bit of wind there is not much problem as long as I don't stop.

A bug in the eye still hurts... wear sunglasses.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#8

Post by chrisgd » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 3:02 PM UTC

My wife figured this out, though both of us should have known. We visited my in-laws in rural Georgia and our 17-month old son was covered in gnats and mosquitos when we went outside so we limited his time. When we went to the beach, there were no insects and my wife said, "must be the breeze. We should get a fan for our porch when we get home" Luckily she is smart or my son would suffer a lot!

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#9

Post by uptown » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 3:03 PM UTC

VLM wrote: post #7

npsimons wrote: post #2

That's nice; get back to me when you find something portable, ie something good for hiking.

Locally most of the nature trails are built thru swamps (aka eco warriors holy wetlands). They're economically worthless, so they make nice parks and trails. The point of the article is they can't fly faster than 2 mph or so. Simply move faster than 2 MPH. I've ridden my bicycle thru swamps and not gotten bit. I also hike and between walking and a bit of wind there is not much problem as long as I don't stop. A bug i…

Got any solutions for horse flies? Those things are brutal.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#10

Post by rwfilice » Tue, Jul 16, 2013, 3:05 PM UTC

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good outdoor fan - something you could leave out on your deck and that would be weather resistant? Does such a thing exist?