Being eaten alive!

[CuriouserGeorge]

Snopes is a reliable source for dispelling most urban myths. There's one entry for mosquito repellents too.

snopes.com: Mosquito Repel Lore

[aveojohn]

Originally Posted by CuriouserGeorge

I doubt using baby oil will do much. Even repellents don't actually repell, instead they clog up chemical sensors located on the mosquito so that it can't tell what's out there or where it is. It's somewhat analogous to putting a blindfold on, and trying to find a heavily-perfumed woman in a room...not especially difficult to do. If you put a clothespin on your nose, though, and try the same trick, chances are you won't be successful.

I may not be totally accurate, but I believe mosquitoes are initially alerted to prey because of the carbon dioxide we exhale (lesser factors are body heat and moisture). If you can avoid breathing while outside, then I'd say you'll do okay!

Also, it's primarily (if not totally) the anopheles female that does the biting...there's something in blood that she needs for egg maturation/development and that's the reason we get invited to dinner.

I have used baby oil with success and I would recommend it for anyone. I think it plugs up their little needle noses, whatever it is, it seems to work.

[hempfield mania]

I am type O neg and can assure you, if there is a skeeter within a mile, she'll be on me and biting me. Stinks because I am an avid outdoorsman as well and spend lots of time hunting, fishing, hiking and exploring. Deep woods Off or other repellents with the highest concentration of DEET you can get (higher than 20%)will work. I suggest not using it on young children though. If you don't want to go that route, buy a Thermacell and use that near you when you are outside. I believe they are effective within a 15' radius. Those of us that archery hunt early in the season use these to keep the skeeters off and you won't have an offensive odor to deal with.

You can also get the sprays that have the permithrin in them but you can not spray it on your skin, only on your clothes or on areas where the skeeters may land. It will kill them and not just repel them. It works good for fleas and ticks as well if you are close to the woods.

[aveojohn]

Skeeters love me.

[mcorrales]

Try Avon's Skin So Soft oil. I garden a lot and especially in early evening hours, unless I use this, I will get a zillion bites, with it............. none.

[aveojohn]

I can't stand the smell of that stuff or the repellents.

[hempfield mania]

Thermacell, I am telling you! :-)

[aveojohn]

Whats thermacell?