Effective Mosquito Repellant when eating outdoors

[Takiap]

Citronella grass works well. I know because I use it all the time. Lemon grass works as well but not as effective as the citronella grass. There are lots of creams, lotions, etc which can be used and are, as far as I'm concerned, a safer bet to products containing DEET. We all know that DEET is by far the most effective but doing a Google search about it may put you off from using it. Listerine works because of its stronge smell as does Tiger balm, Vicks vapour rup, etc, etc.

We have one of those electric things in which a small mat is placed and it really does seem to help. While the mossies do still come into the house, they don't seem to bite so I'm not sure how it works. All I know is that I can sleep with my windows open if I have it plugged in and in the morning there are hundreds of mossies but none have bitten me during the night. I will certainly try the sound device mentioned in a previous post as I've never tried one so am keen to see if it works.

OP, you could also just do as the Thais do - keep a small fire burning, making sure it produces vast amounts of smoke

[Takiap]

Okay, I fell for it guys. I went along yesterday and bought some Listerine

Verdict - utter rubbish - it did nothing at all to keep the mossies away and if anything, it attracted the buggers. Thanks but I'll keep using the citronella grass.

[little imp]

They even bite Thai's just wear long sleeves and trousers.

[MrPlum]

I once spent a month at the Ideal Home Exhibition selling Vietnamese furniture and Mosquito Killers. Not a lot of call for the latter in the middle of London.

The company surprisingly sold 2000 units mainly to jocks who were being feasted on by the dreaded midges.

The machines are on sale in HomePro. Called 'Midge Master' or similar. They use a catalytic converter to turn propane into CO2 which attracts the females... ok, never mind. Read the blurb on this site.. http://www.midgeblaster.co.uk/howitworks.asp

There is a home model which will cover 1/2 acre. Club together with your neighbour if your broke. Or there is the Golf club/country park/filthy rich pile version which covers 1 1/2 acres.

As for reactions. Cortisol is produced by the adrenals and is an anti-inflammatory. If you are stressed you may not be making enough and your reactions will be stronger to bites. That's my theory anyway. Buggers just love my feet.

DON'T SCRATCH!. A basil leaf rubbed into the bite works within minutes. Natural Coconut oil works for me too.

[MrPlum]

I note the moderators 'advisory' regarding commercial posts. It may or may not refer to my previous entry so just in case let me clarify.

I don't sell these machines and have no commercial connection with anyone selling them and wouldn't tell you they were in HomePro if I did. I'm retired.

I mention them and show a pic since they are pertinent to the topic and am just anticipating likely questions. i.e. where can I get one, what does it look like and do they work? Most people have never heard of them and just gas themselves with plug in poisons.

If this transgresses board rules mai pen rai. Just remove the offending post.

Happy scratching.

[Norseman]

Relax Mr Plum. You're not offending anyone.
BUR; I still find our local supply of the US of A produced OFF to be the No 1 mosquito repellent in Thailand.
Don't know why, maybe five years of daily use has inflicted my judgement?

[STEVE G]

I used to frequent a local outdoor seafood restaurant in Jakarta that addressed the problem by putting half coconut shells of burning diesel on the table. This was very effective at getting rid of mosquitoes, but unfortunately the aroma had a detrimental effect on your appetite so I wouldn’t really recommend it for eating out.