Am I the only one covered in bites.I have tried to make sure no still water around.We have a large pool over the road from the plot,nothing I can do about that.
I thought this was going to be a discussion on the new anti-loitering-teen alarms that have been brought out, by the same name, LOL! ;D
betula I think my skin is too tough for them :) Seriously, my sister in Kent just can't sit out in her lovely garden and I have seen my old boss have really big swellings from insect bites. Isn't there a cream/lotion which when applied helps?
They are more attracted to smelly people ;)
Quote from: ACE on May 07, 2008, 19:20:02
They are more attracted to smelly people ;)
;D ;D ;D
Quote from: lorna on May 07, 2008, 19:18:52
betula I think my skin is too tough for them :) Seriously, my sister in Kent just can't sit out in her lovely garden and I have seen my old boss have really big swellings from insect bites. Isn't there a cream/lotion which when applied helps?
I saw a consultant immunologist at hospital about the extreme reaction I get to insect bites. He called it delayed hypersensitivity bolus reaction caused by over-enthusiastic T-cells reacting to the protein in the insect saliva (yuck!). Options were heavy duty oral steroids which I declined or high potency topical steroid cream which I use VERY sparingly after being bitten. I also use a bite pen (ammonia) and otc antihistamines for the itch. I've tried all the folk/natural/traditional lotions, potions and pills to avoid getting bitten and none work for me. The only effective thing I've found is 50% DEET repellant which is horrible to use and I hate it but it keeps the bites down to just about bearable numbers.
ceres Pretty grim situation. My sister would love to sit in the garden but she just suffers so much discomfort.
Quote from: ACE on May 07, 2008, 19:20:02
They are more attracted to smelly people ;)
Cheeky b****r ;D
betula I would have used a stronger exclamation than you :o but on 2nd thoughts maybe Ace meant expensive perfume smell, give him the benefit of doubt :)
I never give Ace the benefit of the doubt Lorna because he is a very naughty boy ;D ;D ;D
Catnip (Nepeta Cataria) is supposed to be a good mosquito repellant.
http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/moreinfo.asp?pe=DBFBBIGDQ_+catmint&cid=211
Thanks for that Baccy Man,I wonder what you have to do with it.???
It is the catnip oil you are after so you can make your own mosquito repellant spray.
I would be inclined to distill it to extract the oil but if you don't have a still then you could use the method given for extracting rose oil here:
http://homecooking.about.com/od/allherbrecipes/r/blherb1.htm
Alternately there are a couple of infusion recipes for using catnip as a mosquito repellant here:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nwgardens/90412_lovejoy10.shtml
Thanks Baccy Man :)