topic Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER in Community Chat

INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:55:08 GMT

I'm posting here because I want plenty of feedback.

The problem is the insects (mosquitoes and others) that bite when out on the terrace. What prevents this for you?

Having a bug zapper?

Having a fan blowing?

Chemical sprays?

Something else?

I've recently gotten a few bites from some invisible culprits, and I find that a paste of baking soda and water stops the itching.

What PREVENTS them ... for you?

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

MoonieBaby — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:05:47 GMT

Citronella plant, as well as lemon balm plant. I have them among all my other plants all over my patio area. The other thing that helps is to water my plants in very early morning or just before I am to retire from the patio and go back inside the house.

My husband and I also use several cordless fans and that’s a big help. Lastly, we have two dyna traps. One on our deck, the other by our patio.

So I guess the hundred things we do combine to help us avoid the bugs!

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

Kachina624 — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:16:21 GMT

Living in the desert away from water helps tremendously. I'm never bothered by them at my house.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

timeless — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:16:02 GMT

The bug zapper doesn't work for us in the Pacific N.W.

It only seems to draw them in.

We decide to eat inside on certain days because of that.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

RescueLover — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 02:27:39 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 🌸

Can you either plant some marigolds or put some in pots or planters ?

Mosquitos will avoid the area and wanting to get inside your home. Also will keep squirrels away from your property though.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

bmorechick — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:32:50 GMT

Built a screened in porch over our deck. Haven't had a bug bite in 5 years and we got mosquitoes bad. We love when it's hazy, thick, hot and humid and we come out of the a/c to sit in the porch and sweat into late at night.

Got tired of being eaten up and other bugs flying and buzzing in my hair. Best investment we ever made in this house.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

Carmie — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:30:38 GMT

Nothing has 100% worked for me. I am a bug magnet.

My husband can sit right beside me and mosquitos don't bother him.

My blood type is O+. I understand we are super tasty. And attract blood seeking insects.

If I really want to sit outside, I use a fan that blows a lot of air. That seems to help.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

LuvSoCal — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:12:07 GMT

I try to keep my arms and legs covered and always apply repellent to my feet and ankles (when wearing sandals and flip flops). We keep bug zappers inside and out and they are very effective. I don't spend much time outdoors during the summer.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 07:44:31 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
Nothing has 100% worked for me. I am a bug magnet.

My husband can sit right beside me and mosquitos don't bother him.

My blood type is O+. I understand we are super tasty. And attract blood seeking insects.

If I really want to sit outside, I use a fan that blows a lot of air. That seems to help.

@Carmie

I've heard some people say that taking a garlic supplement daily really helps with the human bug magnet thing.

Ever try it?

Since garlic has other benefits, I think I'm going to go for it this year.

Honestly, I think it has to be a combination of things, not just one and cross your fingers.

We shall see ...

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

AngelPuppy1 — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:19:39 GMT

I don't have any thing to help. All I know is - they are drawn to me like a magnet! DH and I can sit outside for a few minutes and nothing goes near him, but I immediately get attacked! Once I get like a mosquito bite, I am in agony for days and days. I swell up like crazy and the itching is terrible. I try to avoid sitting out once it starts to get dusk any more. This seems to be the worst time for me. I have tried citronella candles and a number of other things and they don't seem to work.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

wagirl — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:46:30 GMT

I don't get bitten these days. Am not around any buggy places . Wait--I did get stung by a hornet a few years back---the thing dropped from an enclosed storage closet door that I opened at my last apt--it was outside on the balcony, it stung my foot, and then I got bit by a spider back then too. ---man --did those hurt, but didn't do much except itch.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

Carmie — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:57:54 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 I have never tried garlic supplements, but I will.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

Lakelife62 — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:05:50 GMT

We use citronella oil torches around the seating perimeter. We also use small citronella candles on the tables in the seating area. If we are going to be outside at dusk, I start the candles and torches burning about an hour before.

Also, be sure to remove anything nearby with standing water. Birdbaths, decorative items that collect water, etc.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

just bee — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:07:31 GMT

This isn't prevention, unfortunately, but rather a product that helps if prevention tactics fail.

We don't get bitten much in the high desert, but a couple years ago I was under attack by mosquitoes and utterly miserable.

Better-Half came home with a product that smells amazing and relieves the misery.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

willowbark — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:32:58 GMT

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

willowbark — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:17:43 GMT

Or.....

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

We rescue cats — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:49:30 GMT

I grow lavendar around our deck and patio and make sure to keep a couple planters of citronella going as well each summer. We also have ceiling fans on our covered patio and a fan in the pagoda on the deck.

Re: INSECT BITES --- BEFORE AND AFTER

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 01:13:13 GMT

@MoonieBaby wrote:
Citronella plant, as well as lemon balm plant. I have them among all my other plants all over my patio area. The other thing that helps is to water my plants in very early morning or just before I am to retire from the patio and go back inside the house.

My husband and I also use several cordless fans and that’s a big help. Lastly, we have two dyna traps. One on our deck, the other by our patio.

So I guess the hundred things we do combine to help us avoid the bugs!

@MoonieBaby

Great plant ideas!