How do I protect my dog from the mosquitos that are eating him alive? (Anchorage: buy, gated)

[RN2travel2]

I have a large lab mix that is suffering terribly from the mosquito's here in the Anchorage area. He has lost alot of his hair on his belly and legs from the constant scratching and itching and licking the bites. Any ideas on a good safe repellent for dogs?

Would appreciate all ideas and help! Thanks in advance.

[Blueberry]

We use K9 AdvanTix. It's a liquid substance you place at the back of the neck and several places along the backbone. It's supposed to protect them for about a month. Since it is absorbed into the body, it provides all-around protection, and won't wash off. It's also available in several concentrations, depending on the size of the dog.

You can probably find it at any of the larger pet stores in Anchorage. I get mine online from Drs. Foster and Smith. Drugstore.com sometimes has it available, but not for all size dogs. Be warned--It's not cheap! However, it comes with 5-6 applications, so it lasts us several years since we usually only apply it during the really bad times.

This stuff REALLY works! However, if you're worried about it being absorbed into the skin, you best look elsewhere. I've heard of people using regular bug dope or Avon's Skin-so-Soft as an alternative. Personally, I think the Skin-so-Soft only works with certain body chemistries; our pediatrician says that studies have shown it actually attracts more mosquitoes than repels when used on people, but I know some people who swear by it.

[RN2travel2]

Thank you for the information. I had used it on him before for ticks and it was not helpful but have ordered it again and will try it for mosquito's.

[Blueberry]

Originally Posted by RN2travel2

I had used it on him before for ticks and it was not helpful but have ordered it again and will try it for mosquito's.

Be sure that when you apply it, you've parted the hair really well and it's actually getting on the skin and not the hair. This is sometimes easier said than done for a squirming dog.

When we've used it on our lab, most mosquitoes steer clear. We've been in the deep boonies and had our dog out in swarms (black clouds) of mosquitoes. Most of them hovered very near and were still annoying to the dog; however, they stayed off her coat. There will always be some tenacious ones that aren't deterred by anything.

[Sheeboo]

I always gave my pups a good sprinkling of nutritional yeast (you can buy the yellow flakes in bulk in the health food isle of Freddy's) on top of their food, which is supposed to be a natural repellent......but, unfortunatly, one of the only things I've found that really works is to put some kind of a DEET product on a bandanna and tie it around his or her neck. Never put it on them directly, but the bandana thing helps a lot, even in the interior.

[RN2travel2]

Will be careful and be sure to do that as before, I just have wondered since he weighs over 100 lbs maybe there is not enough med in the over 55 lb package and that is why it was a failure in the past. Guess I should go discuss it with a vet. Thanks Blueberry!

[RN2travel2]

I am going to try that too! Seems anything that will help the poor guy will be worth a try. Thanks Sheeboo for the adviace.

[ulsterscot]

Have you tried one of the propane powered mosquito attractors? They will empty out an acre or so of space supposedly. They say it will make your back yard bug free.

[Blueberry]

Originally Posted by RN2travel2

Will be careful and be sure to do that as before, I just have wondered since he weighs over 100 lbs maybe there is not enough med in the over 55 lb package and that is why it was a failure in the past. Guess I should go discuss it with a vet. Thanks Blueberry!

The first time we used it on our dog, her weight was a problem. She was on the border, weight-wise, between the two dosages. Not wanting to give her more than she needed, we went for the lighter dose. It didn't do much good. We upgraded to the higher dose the next year, and it worked much better.

[Blueberry]

Originally Posted by ulsterscot

Have you tried one of the propane powered mosquito attractors? They will empty out an acre or so of space supposedly. They say it will make your back yard bug free.

From a Bush perspective (our skeeters are different!)...

We've had friends say that those propane things are worth their weight in gold. However, it takes about three years before they're fully effective. They said the first year, they didn't see much difference. The second year, there was a noticeable difference. The third year, they barely had any mosquitoes at all! What they think is happening is that the first year's mosquitoes are still laying eggs and they're hatching all summer long and over-wintering. The second year, there's a reduced hatch because some of the previous year's mosquitoes were eliminated before laying eggs. There's a reduced batch of mosquitoes the second year, producing a reduced batch of eggs, so by the third year, the skeeter-zapper can easily keep up. It supposedly works well unless you're in a windy area where the mosquitoes will be constantly blown into your vicinity.

Never having seen the need for one of these things before, I can't verify the accuracy of this report except to say several people said that was their experience. If I'm ever inundated with mosquitoes, I'd buy one of those propane things in a heartbeat!

One other thing... People have learned from experience to put the propane trap away from the recreational area. Since it attracts mosquitoes, the mosquitoes will bite the people congregated around it before going into the trap!