Community Chat

[Tinkrbl44]

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? 

[MoonieBaby]

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!

[Kachina624]

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

[timeless]

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.

[RescueLover]

@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.

[bmorechick]

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.

[Carmie]

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.

[LuvSoCal]

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.

[Tinkrbl44]

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@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 ...

[AngelPuppy1]

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.