Well, one drop at a time…
I live in a dormitory near downtown Dallas on the third floor in a corner room. And I don’t know how, but somehow mosquitos find their way up to the third floor and down to my room. And every evening I get bit. I think I have at least 15 bites at last count and I think I got bit 3 more times just as I’m writing this. For some reason, I’m the only guy on this floor that has bites. No one else does. I can accept mosquitos when I go camping and when I’m in China. But not here where I sleep and study.
So here’s my question:
What can I do, short of having to put repellant on my skin, to effectively keep mosquitos out of my room? Outside I can live with, I just want to keep them out! I heard of some candles that release some kind of scent or smoke to keep them away, but also heard they weren’t effective. Somebody help!!!
I don’t know the exact name of the plant but you could go out and buy one of those mosquito repelling plants. It worked for us here. Just plop it near a window for sunlight (water it too) and it will keep them away. Safer than those candles.
It’s possible you have mosquitoes breeding in your room, if you have standing water around. Ditch the scale-model science project on the Everglades and seal up the trash.
If you’re as clean as Gary Condit (!), then the mosquitoes are coming in to your room, attracted by your scent. If your windows aren’t screened, screen them or keep them closed. Check around the screens or windows for cracks and less-than-snug fittings with the window frame. Caulk these or just apply tape.
Check around your door for openings between the frame and the door itself. If you find any, apply self-adhesive weatherstripping (available for about two or three bucks for a 10’ roll here in Alabama).
This ought to at least cut down the number of mosquitoes bothering you.
I don’t know if it is true or not but I’ve heard eating bananas attracts mosquitos. More accurately, those who have eaten a banana recently are more likely to get bit.
So, either cut back on the bananas or try feeding banana splits as a ‘treat’ for your neighbors and/or roommates every night for the next week.
If nothing else try this as an experiment…I’m curious to know if it really has an effect or is just an UL.
If you are thinking of a citronella plant, then they don’t work by just having the plant around, you have to crush the leaves to get the oil which repels mosquitos.
ChasE., your local sporting goods/camping supply store should have plenty of netting. You might even get lucky and find some at Wal-Mart or its equivalent, if you have one nearby.
The best advice I ever got about mosquito bites came from a local in St. Thomas, USVI:
“Dude, just drink a lot of beer, smoke a lot of buds, and wear thick socks. After a while, they just don’t bite anymore.”
I took the fellow’s advice quite religiously, and it worked like a charm. Plus, it really helped me to enjoy my vacation.
Now, you might think it’s a joke, but I think there is some merit to the combined approach. It makes sense to me that smoke deters mosquitoes. It also makes sense to me that if you’re sweating out alcohol, mosquitoes aren’t going to like that too much. And thick socks make it much more difficult for a skeeter’s proboscis to reach under the skin. If they are indeed attracted to stinky feet (and my feet certainly qualify for that), socks will help in that regard, too.
If you are desperate enough to try out some of the old wives’ tales you can increase your vitamin b complex intake, take garlic pills or try drinking vinegar-based beverages (you might be able to find sekanjabin at the local middle-eastern market).