Mosquitoes??

[growmore]

Hi, Is it just us in the Don valley? or is there a big rise in Mosquitoe poulation in UK with all  the rain etc,,.
People around here are all geting bitten some quite badly with them.
Never had them around here before only near swampy ground and rivers etc.All chemists etc in town have sold out of cream etc ..
Makes going to lotty a real ordeal with the little bu***rs ...
Just wondered if it was a sign of changing climate etc, or just a local problem.,Jim

[growmore]

[Hugh_Jones]

It isn`t just in the Don Valley, Jim, and unfortunately it isn`t just mosquitoes either.  Over the last few weeks there seems to have been an invasion by little tiny black bug-like creatures - smaller than the average aphid - which bite ferociously and leave behind angry red lumps on one`s skin.  They seem particularly fond of moist vegetation, and in half an hour`s hand weeding among my leeks yesterday I collected a dozen or more bites on my arm, which still itches maddeningly despite several applications of anti-histamine cream.  I put one of the little b.ggers under the microscope, but can`t identify it in any of my reference books - needless to say it`s far too small to photograph for the board.

[teresa]

Lack of Bats havent seen any this year. When we moved here four years ago we had quite a few bats in the evening flying around the garden and between the houses but have not seen any this year. I am lucky being a smoker they dont like the smell of me but someone did tell me to rub half a lemon over exposed skin ?
Teresa

[Hugh_Jones]

My 25 a day didn `t keep the blighters off me.

[teresa]

well I smoke menthol ones perhaps thats it. Or your bugs dont have a sence of smell? try eating garlic? ha ha
Teresa

[Hugh_Jones]

Teresa, it`s only the bugs that I want to keep away, not my family and friends

[Trixiebelle]

This is an old thread but it looks like 2007 is as bad as 2004  ::)

I've been sat at my computer for the last 2hrs and a mozzie just landed on my nose.

I had to SLAP my own nostril and I think I've given myself a black eye!

[teresa]

Oh Trixiebelle hope your ok,  :o
lot of bats around here this year, just shows they go where food is. ;)
but the mozzies move into the house.
OH gets bitten so I use Raid fly and wasp killer nice smell and it gets them 8)

[Barnowl]

This isn't a joke. Try Avon Skin-So-Soft Soft & Fresh Dry Oil Body Spray - as used in Scotland by the SAS.

Seems to work.

[Sparkly]

The mozzies like me too! They don't took my OH, but then get me about 12 times in 1 night!!

[OllieC]

This isn't a joke. Try Avon Skin-So-Soft Soft & Fresh Dry Oil Body Spray - as used in Scotland by the SAS.

Seems to work.

Yes, but you know how the SAS like to be soft & gentle! There's nothing like a Scottish midge. I'm itching just thinking about them. I heard of a king/laird once who upset the locals & was tied naked to a steak in the middle of a peat bog. Can you imagine the pain?!?!

Oh Trixie - sorry but I did laugh out loud at your story. Hope you're okay!!!

[Jeannine]

The Avon stuff does work.

If you are sitting outside at night burn acitronella candle.

Apple cider vinegar taken in water is suposed to make your blood unacceptable to them also garlic too ,not sure about these  though.

Carry an After Bite stick with you...one of the best inventions of all time, and I know having lived round the BC lakes for years.

It looks like felt tip pen, take top off, dab on bite and the itch dissappears.

XX Jeannine

[manicscousers]

I carry a bottle of tea tree with me, dab a bit on if I've been bitten, it takes the sting out of it  ;D

[Biscombe]

Baking powder paste is good to relieve itching and aloe vera fresh plant gel stops infection spreading! This does work! a few days ago my legs looked like they had just come out of a zombie film!!!!! now all dried up and on the mend!

PS the avon stuff smells foul! urgh!!!

[manicscousers]

I've found aloe vera's no good for nettle stings but is excellent on cuts and grazes  :)

[RSJK]

I've been told if you eat marmite on your toast that keeps them at bay

[Lauren S]

Eating marmite on toast will keep EVERYTHING at bay   :o
Lauren  ;D

[telboy]

Jim,
Bearing in mind that you are 'up norf', is this the 'Celtic Midge' that you have inherited?
We, 'darn sarf' are suffering also.
It's called the Labour Government/BBC/Police Force etc..
I thought they all went to Canada after the 'Clearences'?
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Jeannine]

Marmite.. you love it or you hate it!! It doesn't work for mossies if you eat it on toast , I can vouch for that, maybe if you use it on your skin...LOL XX Jeannine

[MrsKP]

'Celtic Midge'

Irritating little so and sos.  Perhaps it's because I have an RFC on my jacket !

;D