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A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

nytimes.com

31–40 of 195 posts

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#31
post #28

When I was in college dorm (in China), I used to put a table lamp on the floor, turned toward my feet and legs, which was fairly effective. Mosquitoes don't like lights.

Mosquitoes in China must be different to mosquitoes in northern canada, because they certainly are attracted to light here.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#32
post #9
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

http://www.deerflypatches.com/

I haven't tried them.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#34
post #29

Spend a summer up in the Yukon or Alaska if you want to see solid walls of ravenous mosquitoes. I get bitten while riding my bike, bitten while my arm is out of the car window driving at 30km/h, and bitten through jeans. 100% DEET (you can get it in Alaska) does the trick for about 30 minutes before you have to re-apply - and it's nasty stuff. This past weekend I was camping at a music festival and slapped my arm cas…

Is No CM a specific choice? I've always used no-see-ums.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#35
post #3

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...

Wow, really love that electronic mosquito bat! My girlfriend is a human version of a (mosquito-killing) HK-Aerial, and this seems like a good way to avoid some of the handprints-on-mirrors and bloodsplats-on-the-walls that can at times plague our pint-sized apartment.

I have a feeling she'd have a blast with this weapon. Thanks!

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#36
I found 95% concentrations of DEET effective during multiple trips paddling in northern Canada. The alternative was to come back with inflamed skin easy an inch thick.

Buy the 05% DEET in the USA as Canada no longer allows concentrations over 30%.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#38
post #2

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

Avon Skin So Soft. The oil. Works so well that they turned it into bug spray. Never tried the bug spray, but I swear by the oil.

As used in Scotland for midges. I was wondering if it would work for mosquitoes too.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#39
post #3

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...

I used to look at those as if they were some kind of joke, but they are no joke. They will make you the annoying-insect-executioner.

Re: A Low-Tech Mosquito Deterrent

#40
I was expecting something that could be used in the developing world. It seems that solar power fans could be provided reasonably cheaply, maybe even made locally (apart from the solar cells) from "recycled" (dumped) materials from the west.

Would it have any useful benefit over bed nets?

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