Those damn mosquitoes!

04Stefan07 (Stefan) · #1 03-01-2013, 10:53 PM

I never ever do any stargazing on warm nights, especially 30 degrees +. Once I went out for around 20 minutes and came back in with around 80 mossie bites on me!

Anyone here have any special techniques on keeping those damn mossies away!??!

Kunama · #2 03-01-2013, 10:57 PM

I will swap you your 80 mosquitos for my 1000 flying Christmas Beetles,
These guys land on your and then crawl inside your clothes by the dozens.

Astro_Bot · #3 03-01-2013, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04Stefan07

Anyone here have any special techniques on keeping those damn mossies away!??!

It's not special, but I use Aerogard pump spray. I apply thoroughly - spray onto a cloth until it's damp then rub on every exposed part and a fair way up loose shorts/sleeves as well. Since adopting that practice, I've had only one bite (must have been a determined little bugger).

I can't see an expiry date on the Aerogard, but I usually replace mine annually if it's not used up.

h0ughy (David) · #4 03-01-2013, 11:17 PM

bug zapper - aeroguard and have someone with you who they like more

Jen · #5 03-01-2013, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

bug zapper - aeroguard and have someone with you who they like more

Hahaha yep I'm one of those people lol

spacezebra (Petra) · #6 04-01-2013, 12:20 AM

"Bushman", plenty of it!!

Cheers Petra d.

Jen · #7 04-01-2013, 12:36 AM

And a fan near-by to blow them away (works for me)

mithrandir (Andrew) · #8 04-01-2013, 12:38 AM

Steel cap boots. Loose lightweight slacks with elastic bands around the ankles over the boots. Long sleeve shirt. Then "Off", Aerogard or Bushmans on any still exposed skin.
Just don't get repellents on your palms or that side of your fingers. DEET (or possibly some other ingredient in the mixture) attacks plastics. Picaridin based ones are not supposed to. Read the ingredients.

Tandum (Robin) · #9 04-01-2013, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunama

I will swap you your 80 mosquitos for my 1000 flying Christmas Beetles,
These guys land on your and then crawl inside your clothes by the dozens.

We haven't seen any xmas beetles up here in years. I dunno where they went but I miss seeing them this time of year. There used to be thousands when I was younger.

Aeroguard for mozzies.

pgc hunter · #10 04-01-2013, 02:01 PM

No mozzies at all last couple of nights I was out. Quite surprising. There's more flies than usual though.

chrisp9au (Chris) · #11 04-01-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tandum

We haven't seen any xmas beetles up here in years. I dunno where they went but I miss seeing them this time of year.

They all came to central Victoria, last night!

Chris

Irish stargazer (John) · #12 04-01-2013, 03:44 PM

I have been using Bushman 40% DEET the last two nights and no bites. I used RID a few days ago and was bitten on the hand 4 times in as many minutes even though covered with repellant. I hate this time of year for observing. It seems to be worse after a heavy rain storm and dies down again after a few dry days. From my experience (and numerous bites) Aeroguard seems to be more effective than RID

Steffen · #13 04-01-2013, 03:49 PM

For warm, humid suburban Sydney nights I usually get away with Berocca. Two tablets in a glass of water a couple of hours before I go out, and the vitamin B shot makes me ooze a smell mozzies just don't like. I can hear them buzzing around and they may even land on me occasionally but they won't bite.

Anything more tropical and I also use insect repellents.

Cheers
Steffen.

astronut (John) · #14 04-01-2013, 04:00 PM

Lather yourself and your clothes in "Bug Spray"...They love me, but this usually works.
And don't forget to top up spray, every couple of hours.

louie_the_fly (Stew) · #15 04-01-2013, 05:31 PM

I use Bushmans or anything with DEET. Put it on before going out then wash hands thoroughly. They only tend to get me around the feet and ankles, but evey now & then 'll cop one on the knuckle. Aint they annoying...

I found this mozzie info on the web. http://medent.usyd.edu.au/RepellentGuidelines.pdf

Quite interesting.

04Stefan07 (Stefan) · #16 04-01-2013, 05:34 PM

Some pretty good advice here! I will consider my options, thanks everyone!

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #17 04-01-2013, 05:39 PM

That will be my darling , she get swamped by them , I hardly get touched , I wonder what the differance is between people ?
Brian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

bug zapper - aeroguard and have someone with you who they like more

Astro_Bot · #18 04-01-2013, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffen

Two tablets in a glass of water a couple of hours before I go out, and the vitamin B shot makes me ooze a smell mozzies just don't like.

I also take a daily Vitamin B supplement (around dinner time, and I expect the effect would be strongest during an evening viewing session) so I wonder if that contributes to my low bite count?

Steffen · #19 05-01-2013, 12:30 AM

It seems more research is needed, but Berocca is a very effective "party drug" in my experience. On the night it keeps the mozzies at bay and the next morning it helps a lot with the hangover

Cheers
Steffen.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #20 05-01-2013, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

And a fan near-by to blow them away (works for me)

I second the pedestal fan. Set it on high and blow them away.