Warnings are out about W. Nile virus, with flu-like symptoms, spread by mosquitoes.
Deet repellent is usually recommended. But too much can cause nerve damage. (& it stinks.)
Also recommend, safer & much more pleasant, is lemon-eucalyptus repellent. A good brand is Repel.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm
Replies
15Beach Fanatic
Thanks for posting! I have a homemade (I bought from somewhere) spray that is citrus and works really well. Helps keep everything away, but you have to respray pretty often.
When desperate I will also rub my skin with a dyer sheet and it keeps most bugs away too!
When desperate I will also rub my skin with a dyer sheet and it keeps most bugs away too!
Beach Fanatic
Avon Skin so Soft is also a good repellent.
Meow
...I could have used some when I was in Houston. I have about 30 bites on my legs. I asked my dr. today to point to the bite with the West Nile virus.bean
...I could have used some when I was in Houston. I have about 30 bites on my legs. I asked my dr. today to point to the bite with the West Nile virus.
Yikes, hope you are okay. I get a little freaked out now since Lori (sis)has had meningitis.
SoWal Expert
Avon Skin so Soft is also a good repellent.Yes, and it smells so terrible that it keeps many other things away, like people.
SoWal Expert
Interesting that we tend to focus on something like West Nile Virus, when we could easily change our driving habits and have a greater chance of extending our lives. :scratch:
Beach Lover
I noticed that 'confusion' was one of the symptoms....I have that daily- I'M AFFLICTED!!!
Beach Fanatic
Yes, and it smells so terrible that it keeps many other things away, like people.
I happen to like the pink one, and it works!
Beach Fanatic
Interesting that we tend to focus on something like West Nile Virus, when we could easily change our driving habits and have a greater chance of extending our lives. :scratch:
"Slow traffic keep right"!!!
hmmmm......can't remember
The skeeters seem to be much more aggressive lately. Last week I was working, and as soon as I got out of the truck I sprayed with Off, as is my custom. (I use the Deep Woods type. SSS and the natural-type repellants don't override the skeeters' attraction to me.)
Within a few minutes I was covered in bites. Sprayed again. More bites. My client had some 100% DEET, which will just about take your skin off, but it didn't help that much. In the end, I resorted to scrub pants and a long-sleeve shirt.
Mean little blood-sucking devils...
Within a few minutes I was covered in bites. Sprayed again. More bites. My client had some 100% DEET, which will just about take your skin off, but it didn't help that much. In the end, I resorted to scrub pants and a long-sleeve shirt.
Mean little blood-sucking devils...
Beach Fanatic
Add B-complex to your vitamin list. It really works.
I had encephalitis a few years ago. It was horrible- I almost died- no joke. Brain tissue swelling is no fun people. Take care- and take that B-complex.
I had encephalitis a few years ago. It was horrible- I almost died- no joke. Brain tissue swelling is no fun people. Take care- and take that B-complex.
Edited
margarita brocolia
Thanks for posting! I have a homemade (I bought from somewhere) spray that is citrus and works really well. Helps keep everything away, but you have to respray pretty often.
When desperate I will also rub my skin with a dyer sheet and it keeps most bugs away too!
I tried the Bounce dryer sheet. I guess it might have helped some but didn't didn't do the trick for me. Skeeters love me!

Edited
SoWal Insider
Add B-complex to your vitamin list. It really works.
Yepper, B-Complex and that heavenly Vitamin G, a/k/a as garlic
work very well.hmmmm......can't remember
Add B-complex to your vitamin list. It really works.
I had encephalitis a few years ago. It was horrible- I almost died- no joke. Brain tissue swelling is no fun people. Take care- and take that B-complex.
Yepper, B-Complex and that heavenly Vitamin G, a/k/a as garlicwork very well.
I take a multi with B1, B2 (2B or not 2B?,) B6, and B12 (did somebody yell "Bingo?")--do I need to add something to that?
Vitamins confuse me.The trouble with garlic is that you have to eat enough of it to repel humans, also.
I tried the Bounce dryer sheet. I guess it might have helped some but didn't didn't do the trick for me. Skeeters love me!
As dorky as it sounds, I will use the Bounce sheets for my head. I don't put DEET near my eyes because I sweat a lot and it ends up in my eyes. I tuck the dryer sheets into the band of a visor or hat, and they work really well. They're especially effective if you let them hang down. It looks really stupid, but so do welts on your face. (It's not like I'm going to win the Ms. Gardener pageant in my Carharts and sweaty t-shirt, anyway!)
I used to have a guy who worked on a crew with me who was amazed by how attractive I am (to mosquitos.) He said, "You need to bring two bags of blood with you every morning. One to throw in as a decoy, and one for a transfusion on the way home."
Beach Fanatic
I used to have a guy who worked on a crew with me who was amazed by how attractive I am (to mosquitos.) He said, "You need to bring two bags of blood with you every morning. One to throw in as a decoy, and one for a transfusion on the way home."
It really is odd how they will go for certain people. I guess some people are just sweeter?
They don't go after me too bad, and when I do get bit the bites go away pretty fast. I'm a lucky girl.
I have noticed that if I go outside right after a bath, putting on lotion, spray something smelly like perfume, etc - I seem to get bitten more.
There are some areas of my yard that I just don't walk through unless I'm wearing pants. Otherwise I'm bound to be a skeeter buffet. :angry:
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