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Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: growmore on September 05, 2004, 14:35:42

Title: Mosquitoes??
Post by: growmore on September 05, 2004, 14:35:42
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

Title: Re:Mosquitoes??
Post by: Hugh_Jones on September 05, 2004, 22:00:40
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.
Title: Re:Mosquitoes??
Post by: teresa on September 05, 2004, 23:23:07
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
Title: Re:Mosquitoes??
Post by: Hugh_Jones on September 05, 2004, 23:58:17
My 25 a day didn `t keep the blighters off me.
Title: Re:Mosquitoes??
Post by: teresa on September 06, 2004, 00:10:30
well I smoke menthol ones perhaps thats it. Or your bugs dont have a sence of smell? try eating garlic? ha ha
Teresa
Title: Re:Mosquitoes??
Post by: Hugh_Jones on September 06, 2004, 16:09:37
Teresa, it`s only the bugs that I want to keep away, not my family and friends
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: Trixiebelle on August 21, 2007, 17:22:19
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!
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: teresa on August 22, 2007, 09:10:53
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)
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: Barnowl on August 22, 2007, 09:46:00
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.

Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: Sparkly on August 22, 2007, 09:58:37
The mozzies like me too! They don't took my OH, but then get me about 12 times in 1 night!!
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: OllieC on August 22, 2007, 12:09:27
Quote from: Barnowl on August 22, 2007, 09:46:00
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!!!
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: Jeannine on August 22, 2007, 12:39:10
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
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: manicscousers on August 22, 2007, 20:33:42
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
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: Biscombe on August 22, 2007, 21:00:10
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!!!
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: manicscousers on August 22, 2007, 21:23:33
I've found aloe vera's no good for nettle stings but is excellent on cuts and grazes  :)
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: RSJK on August 23, 2007, 21:09:35
I've been told if you eat marmite on your toast that keeps them at bay
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: Lauren S on August 23, 2007, 21:23:55
Eating marmite on toast will keep EVERYTHING at bay   :o
Lauren  ;D
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: telboy on August 23, 2007, 21:30:31
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
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: Jeannine on August 30, 2007, 10:21:54
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
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: MrsKP on August 31, 2007, 06:59:58
Quote from: telboy on August 23, 2007, 21:30:31
'Celtic Midge'

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

;D
Title: Re: Mosquitoes??
Post by: Deb P on August 31, 2007, 10:42:11
 :-[ I have to admit I am currently off work because of an infected bite! I have never had anything like this before!

I was bitten at a garden party on Sunday, had had a few glasses of wine so didn't notice until the Monday morning (so it didn't get my 'hot cup of tea treatment held on it'  that works well). I noticed the area was red and blistered as I walked over to work on the Tuesday, and during my shift it became suddenly really painful and was making me limp...when I had a look it was like something out of a horror film! Saw GP who was a bit worried the redness was tracking up my leg by now, so I'm stuffed full of antibiotics and antinflammatories... :'(

I've got loads to do on the plot as well....will have to bring son down with me and direct..... ;D