The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Member Map
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. General Science
  3. General Science
  4. Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?

  • 28 Replies
  • 29999 Views
  • 0 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline dentstudent (OP)

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3146
  • Activity:
    0%
  • FOGger to the unsuspecting
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« on: 10/11/2008 10:35:07 »
I've recently moved to the Rhine valley, away from the long winters of the High Black Forest, and due to the warmer climate, am now experiencing an unexpected problem. It's mid-November, and there are still mosquitos flying around. We've been there for only 10 days, and already I've picked up 2 or 3 bites per night, as well as that horrible buzzing noise that's SERIOUSLY ANNOYING AT 3 AM!

We want to sleep with windows open and not covered in mosquito repellent every night, so does anyone know of any good repellent method?

thanks - from Sleepless in Merdingen!
Logged
 



Offline Karen W.

  • Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • *****
  • 31794
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 25 times
  • "come fly with me"
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #1 on: 10/11/2008 11:01:52 »
Go to a hardware store after measuring your windows and purchase expandable window screens.. and Avon sells skin so soft works good for mosquitoes.. I bet you don't have an Avon dealer close by! LOL for a quick fix by a roll of window screening and attach it temporarily to your outer windows or permanently!
Logged

"Life is not measured by the number of Breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
 

Offline dentstudent (OP)

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3146
  • Activity:
    0%
  • FOGger to the unsuspecting
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #2 on: 10/11/2008 11:18:13 »
Hey Karen

we already have full screens that drop outside the windows and doors. Avon? do they still "BING BONG"? My skin is already as soft as a baby's bottom....Does that hanging paper stuff work for mosquito`s or is it just flies?
Logged
 

Offline Madidus_Scientia

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 1451
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #3 on: 10/11/2008 11:34:12 »
Those mosquito nets that hang from a point on the ceiling over and around the bed are the most mosquito proof method I know of
Logged
 

Offline BenV

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 1502
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 3 times
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #4 on: 10/11/2008 11:36:02 »
Madidus is right, especially if you keep them treated and tie them up when not in use - otherwise they get inside the net and can feast on you all night.

I think the hanging paper (fly paper) is just for flies, but it may well attract mossies too. 

I would advise having all of your screens treated with an insect repellant, and making sure the screens are shut as often as possible!  You can get chemical plug-in mossie repellants, I'm not sure how effective they are though, and I've heard that you can get subsonic repellants too, though again, I've never seen one in action.  You could burn mossie repelling coils - but I don't think I would recommend it in a confined space, or somewhere you sleep.

Also, encourage spiders into your house!

Having travelled in Thailand,Indonesia and South America - the one thing I do know about mossies is that they will get to you, one way or another!
Logged
 
The following users thanked this post: Zer0



Offline Karen W.

  • Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • *****
  • 31794
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 25 times
  • "come fly with me"
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #5 on: 10/11/2008 11:41:52 »
I don't know if they work for mosquitoes!

Take a good look around the yard and house dump any pots of standing water.. check under the house to see if you have standing water under there if you do you will need to pump it out or spray!
Logged

"Life is not measured by the number of Breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
 

Offline dentstudent (OP)

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3146
  • Activity:
    0%
  • FOGger to the unsuspecting
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #6 on: 10/11/2008 11:43:31 »
Thanks M_S - I might try the net thing. I also need to do it for my kids too - my eldest son appears to be as attractive to them as I do. My wife just doesn't get bitten at all GRRRRR! I'll always remember Michael Palin's first mosquito net attempts...

BenV - top tips! I hadn't thought about treating the nets or blinds, so I'll give that a go. A subsonic repellent - is that an elephant in the room? You're right about them getting you in the end....perhaps i should stop breathing out carbon dioxide?
Logged
 

Offline dentstudent (OP)

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3146
  • Activity:
    0%
  • FOGger to the unsuspecting
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #7 on: 10/11/2008 11:44:25 »
Quote from: Karen W. on 10/11/2008 11:41:52
I don't know if they work for mosquitoes!

Take a good look around the yard and house dump any pots of standing water.. check under the house to see if you have standing water under there if you do you will need to pump it out or spray!

There is no standing water anywhere - this is Germany, and things like that get tidied away!
Logged
 

Offline Karen W.

  • Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • *****
  • 31794
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 25 times
  • "come fly with me"
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #8 on: 10/11/2008 11:53:58 »
Well I learned something new then!
Logged

"Life is not measured by the number of Breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
 



Offline BenV

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 1502
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 3 times
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #9 on: 10/11/2008 12:14:04 »
Quote from: dentstudent on 10/11/2008 11:43:31
...perhaps i should stop breathing out carbon dioxide?

It's not really worth the effort - it's tricky to hold your breath while you're trying to sleep!  Besides, the chemicals from your skin will still call them in...
Logged
 

Offline Alandriel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 520
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 8 times
    • View Profile
    • Some of my photography
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #10 on: 10/11/2008 16:51:55 »
There're some good topical repellents you can use - just check the labels to make sure it kills mosquitoes but not you (!) One of the good ones was/is called jungle juice. Germany (like my native Switzerland) should have good apothecaries that ought to be able to recommend something.
Lemon grass essential oil works pretty well as a repellent too; but there is no real substitute for a good mosy-net and Ben is right too:
no matter what, they do get ya.

Oh - and I've heard that eating lots of sauerkraut helps (don't ask!)
 [;D]
Logged
 

Offline dentstudent (OP)

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3146
  • Activity:
    0%
  • FOGger to the unsuspecting
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #11 on: 11/11/2008 07:28:39 »
I have an excellent repellent that has 55% deet - prone as I am, when I put this on, mosquitos just don't come anywhere near. However, I'm not going to smother myself in this every night, and so the net will be my first stop shop.
I can understand lemon grass - since mosquitos are repelled by citronella, perhaps there is some in lemon grass. I think that most things are repelled by sauerkraut (however, I love it!).
Logged
 

Offline Don_1

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 6889
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 9 times
  • A stupid comment for every occasion.
    • View Profile
    • Knight Light Haulage
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #12 on: 11/11/2008 07:45:29 »
It is claimed by some people that eating Marmite™ deters mozzyies from biting them. Also some say Coal tar soap is a deterent. I doubt either have been tested scientifically.
Logged
If brains were made of dynamite, I wouldn't have enough to blow my nose.
 



Offline dentstudent (OP)

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3146
  • Activity:
    0%
  • FOGger to the unsuspecting
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #13 on: 11/11/2008 08:45:04 »
BTW, I picked up 3 more last night, just on my forearm. That's 20 in the last week [:(]

I'll be empty by this time next month!
Logged
 

Offline Madidus_Scientia

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 1451
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #14 on: 11/11/2008 11:39:57 »
Haha, come and visit North Queensland mate, you can get 20 bites in about a minute
Logged
 

Offline dentstudent (OP)

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3146
  • Activity:
    0%
  • FOGger to the unsuspecting
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #15 on: 11/11/2008 11:46:22 »

Quote from: Madidus_Scientia on 11/11/2008 11:39:57
Haha, come and visit North Queensland mate, you can get 20 bites in about a minute

I've no doubt! I was really noting that instead of 0 bites at this time of year, I'm picking up quite a few. It's actually 6, as 3 more have started itching......and that fact that 1 bite tends to swell up to about 3cm across.
Logged
 

Offline Madidus_Scientia

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 1451
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #16 on: 11/11/2008 12:36:31 »
Do you have allergies? Some antihistamine should help with the swelling
Logged
 



Offline dentstudent (OP)

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3146
  • Activity:
    0%
  • FOGger to the unsuspecting
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #17 on: 11/11/2008 12:39:16 »
Quote from: Madidus_Scientia on 11/11/2008 12:36:31
Do you have allergies? Some antihistamine should help with the swelling

No, I have no allergies (that I know about!). However, my sister is allergic to bee and wasp stings. Perhaps I have something similar....Good advice!
Logged
 

Offline yor_on

  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • *******
  • 27361
  • Activity:
    100%
  • Thanked: 64 times
  • (Ah, yes:) *a table is always good to hide under*
    • View Profile
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #18 on: 11/11/2008 21:18:49 »
how about making a netframe to put inside your window.
They are used all over the world where people want to be mosquito free.
Also there are some lights that are said to work with mosquitos.
Otherwise you let them bite you and after some time they will stop.
As you won't 'taste/smell' the same.
That, or that you are emptied:)
Logged
"BOMB DISPOSAL EXPERT. If you see me running, try to keep up."
 

Offline ukmicky

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3019
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
    • http://www.space-talk.com/
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?
« Reply #19 on: 11/11/2008 22:40:20 »
Quote
Mosquito problem - how can I stop them buzzing around my head at night?

I give you a tip. Wear ear plugs. [;)]
Logged
 



  • Print
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags:
 

Similar topics (5)

Can black holes lose enough mass to stop being black holes?

Started by thedocBoard Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology

Replies: 17
Views: 13306
Last post 21/08/2012 07:57:00
by Emc2
Why Does Lemon Juice Stop Avocados From Browning & Why Only Fresh Lemon Juice ?

Started by neilepBoard Chemistry

Replies: 2
Views: 9537
Last post 08/02/2011 08:45:46
by neilep
Why do I sweat more when I stop running then while running?

Started by SimulatedBoard Physiology & Medicine

Replies: 2
Views: 4493
Last post 25/06/2009 16:56:53
by lyner
What Is It With the last 1kb Of A Download That Always Makes The Download Stop ?

Started by neilepBoard Geek Speak

Replies: 11
Views: 8936
Last post 02/03/2010 17:28:42
by Geezer
How can we stop Near Earth Objects hitting Earth?

Started by thedocBoard Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology

Replies: 14
Views: 8134
Last post 19/02/2013 04:42:24
by Atomic-S
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
  • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
    Privacy Policy
    SMFAds for Free Forums
  • Naked Science Forum ©

Page created in 0.173 seconds with 82 queries.

  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Get Naked
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • We love feedback

Follow us

cambridge_logo_footer.png

©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.