electronic mosquito repellents - do they work?

[busmaster11]

Just got back from a camping trip with nothing but bites to show for it. I vowed revenge.

So I picked up a three pack of these shiny sonic mosquito repellents from Coleman. They're small, use a AA or AAA? battery, and emit a barely audible high pitch sound that is supposed to repel mosquitoes...

Anyone know if they work? If not, whats the cleanest and easiest way you know how to repel them?

 

[gittyup]

I have watched news stories that say all that crap doesn't work. I think the best product is "Off". It has a certain chemical that does the trick.

 

[Rallispec]

i didnt realize mosquitos had ears. I've always just used bug spray. (i think the ones with the chemical called DEET do the best at repelling them)

 

[Jfur]

eat lots of garlic???

 

[flamingelephant]

Yup, that wonderful chemical is DEET and various other chemicals in the same familiy (toluamides if i'm not mistaken).. Messes up their nervous system so they are unable to bite you...
Apparently bear fat works as well!

 

[busmaster11]

So there's no non-messy way to do it?

 

[Rallispec]

Citranella candles? (sp?) they're supposed to repel insects, not sure how effective they are though.

 

[bacillus]

<< Apparently bear fat works as well! >>


is that why they don't bite bears??

 

[WolverineGator]

Those bug candles don't work too well either. Part of the problem with repellant is that some of it gets absorbed into the skin, which is not good for you if you camp a lot. I wouldn't be spraying OFF on your ears, face, or other areas of the body that absorb these chemicals.

I use spray repellant for clothes only. I use 3M's Ultrathon (did a search on Yahoo and Ultrathon is also known as Hourguard from Amway!), which is one of the best repellants. I have used Ultrathon in Central America, Asia, and the jungles of Georgia/Florida. The US Military uses Ultrathon. Ultrathon goes on like a skin cream, but does not get absorbed into the skin.

Also, use Avon's Skin So Soft. This is a good insect repellant.
Try out the electronic repellant and report back to us... I'm curious to see how it works.

 

[WolverineGator]

My first double post! Sorry.

 

[chaotic]

We had a citronella candle going once... the mosquito's and other bugs landed on the sides of the pot thing like they were enjoying the heat! (needless to say, we were smacking them left and right... it seemed like it actually attracted them instead of repelling them!)