Not one single bite in the over 2 hours I was out there. I could see the mosquitos approaching me, but they never landed. I moved a downspout block with standing water and saw a small cloud of them skeedaddle - LOL!

Not something I would clip on every time I'm out there since I've no clue if it's harmful to inhale, but I will definitely reserve for those occasional marathon gardening sessions during mosquito season. :0)

Hubby has been taking a Bounce dryer sheet out in his pocket when he goes. He claims this works. Haven't tried that yet either.

Citronella plants do squat IMO.

I do like the citronella candles on the patio, and there are some lovely decorative candle holders, nice for when having people over :0)

DH sprays himself with diluted Listerine, he says it works - go figure. No clue if it actually does, I've not tried it, though I've thought about it.

Thanks!
:)
Dee

My Mom swears by taking the B-12 vitamin pill and also says different people have different types of blood (don't know if she means the type A, type B, etc. or what) and THAT is what makes some of us such a magnet.

All I know is, I walk outside...I get bit....it swells up into some strange looking shape like I have an amoeba under my skin. Sometimes the size of a quarter.

Not that this prevents them, but to counter the itch, I've found that hydrocortisone creme (in the tube) will take the itch away in about 5 minutes. Be patient. But it works.

Have yet to try the Off 'fan' thingys but am tempted.

I did find a link to an article on alternative insect repellant products that are safe. There are lots of other articles you could find easily on Google about the risks of insect repellants so you can be better informed before you use it.

To me, the bottom line is that I have to make an effort to avoid harmful products. Even actively avoiding them, I imagine I am still exposed in ways I can't help, but if I give up avoiding what I can, then I am increasing my risks. It is easy to see that companies that produce products we use every day haven't got a good track record for keeping safety a priority and the FDA has fallen down on the job way too many times for me to feel trust that would allow me to just buy a product and use it without looking into it first.

No ill effects so far in 57 years and my 3rd arm comes in handy!

What I am aware of is that the Environmental Defense Fund, the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation and other environmental groups began court proceedings that led to the restriction of DDT use. I'm sure they had better things to do with their time too, but I guess they thought it was important to at least give people a head's up about the dangers that manufacturers would not tell people.

I speak up to share my views on the subject whenever it comes up and I've done that. I'm going back to gardening, without mosquitoe repellant. [g]

No joke Prairiemoon, we actually did this! It was the 50's...who new?

I don't believe that this repellent has any insecticide in it. I thought it was more of a scent based confuse the mosquito type of thing. I checked their webpage but they don't list the active ingredient. And their precautions page was just silly. How are supposed to not breathe in the vapor when you are wearing it? Anyway, I figure this repellent isn't as bad as spraying something on your skin especially when you are going to be touching food and food crops.

noinwi, yes, exactly....in the 50's who knew anything. My parents both smoked and who knew it could kill you. That's the trust issue that I was talking about. You have to do your best to think about what you're doing because you can't depend on a company that makes pesticide or cigarettes or anything else, to worry about whether they're poisoning you or not. You should be able to but you can't. Then the next thing you know, 20 years later, you find out how bad it was for you.

Thanks for the catnip idea, I'm low on mint this year. :-)

"I must deadhead while standing like a soldier."
Redsox, I know getting bit is not funny, but the thought of you doing that really makes me chuckle!

I've used the Off thingies again this season, works great! DH has very good success with them as well.

i like to protect mother earth..

but i draw the line when her spawn suck my blood ...

THEY ALL MUST DIE !!! ... and the sooner the better

i will offer.. that if you never bathe .. most bugs wont come near you either .... or so i have heard ... one option i never tried myself ... and i bet.. if you dont bathe.. and wear white clothing.. you would be all set ... lol

ken

perfume .. including in the day.. hairsprays, deoderants, soaps, talcs, fabric softeners .. etc ...

and get this ... beer ...

dad was a magnet ... what can i say ... not sure if it was the yeasty odor ... or the CO2 exhaled [.. is that the right CO ... lol] .. and if i am not mistaken ... the basis for some attractants ...

the fragrance thing.. is why.. bees seem to attack or be lured to women in the garden ... whenever i have a garden tour.. its always them ... [mostly because they smell better than the men.. lol] ...

soooo.. if you want to go into the garden .. i suggest you dont wear pheromones that attract bugs that use such to find food [which is the whole point of a fragrant flower] ...

but i digress a bit from the blood sucker theme ....

ken