Is it true that fabric softner sheets keeps mosquitos away?
541920
no. its a myth.\n\n_____\n\nMosquito Tips - Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets\n\n\nThe claim is that millions of people in Florida rely on Bounce fabric softener sheets to keep away mosquitoes. True or false, does this really help?\n\nWell first, the only web pages I could find with this claim also made the thoroughly disproven claims about Lemon Fresh Joy and Vitamin B-1/Thiamine. So the fact that they were with other false claims is not very encouraging. Still, sometimes a nugget of truth can hide amongst other deceits.\n\nI did finally get my hands on some Bounce fabric softeners, and waited for an appropriate evening to test them out. Sure enough, reading on the back porch, the mosquitoes descended. I went inside and got 2 Bounce sheets. I rubbed one along my legs for extra luck and then put both sheets on my shoes. The mosquitoes did NOT care at all. They landed right on my legs, flew right past the Bounce sheets, and attempted to eat me just as thoroughly.\n\nI'm afraid the Bounce mosquito legend is a HOAX!!\n\nMosquito Information and Tips Main Page \n\n\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\nhttp://www.lisashea.com/birding/mosquito/bounce.html
994043
all over. this is a good site for info \nIt seemed to have started in New York. but the Southern states do have it worse becasue they do not have the harsh winters to kill of the Mosquitoes\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/surv&control.htm
175746
I don't think that linens or any fabric can be anti-bacterial. As for soap, they simply add an antimicrobial agent like Triclosan to it.
1094840
Have you tried Skin So Soft  (spray oil mist / reg scent) by Avon? I do not like the regular bug sprays that are available to spray on the skin. I also take Garlic tablets, and I have found that by cutting the sugar out of my diet has helped for me as well. However everyones body is different. When bitten, if I do, I use what is called 'After Bite' roll on sticks. If you don't have this in your area, Hydrogen Peroxide or Calamine Lotion maybe, however I am sure you have tried this. Just remember that when itching a mosquito bite, it spreads the poison.\n\nCitronella candles I light when outside. I also have tiki torches that have the citronella fuel. I got rid of my water fountains, ponds, and any standing water that is in my yard. For the pool however, I do have the automatic cover, and treat it regularly.\n\nI don't know what kind of conditions that surround your property line or your neighbors for that matter. You might want to ask them as well, as what they do to prevent mosquitoes. I know this has helped reduce the mosquitoes within mine. Hope this helps a little.
28770
Yes, it is a new discovery by a scientist at North Carolina State University. Here is a direct link to the press release: \nhttp://www.ncsu.edu/news/press_releases/02_06/164.htm\n\nThe tomato compound apparently repels ticks, cockroaches, and some other insects. The big question will be "How effective is it?" since female mosquitoes basically just follow carbon dioxide from our bodies.
721394
Mosquito or frog eggs
574690
What an interesting question.  I would say no for a couple of reasons.\n\n#1) Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide (CO2) which comes when an animal exhales.  They can sense it from quite the distance and this is how they home in on you.  \n\n#2) If mosquitoes were attracted to the warmth, we would see them on freshly killed animals.  This is not the case.  \n\n#3) The final reason I can come up with is the fact that without any circulation, the mosquito would have no luck getting any blood when its mouthparts slipped through the skin.\n\nOf course, I am only using my experience to justify these answers.  Let's do a test!!
190756
I am not really sure but i think it is Sumitomo Chemical has developed the Olyset Net* mosquito bed netting.
536742
a pantyliner...protects on very very light days, sometimes Chic's use them whenever they are not even on a period, depends on how they feel about a lot of moisture in the vaginal area:)  the maxi-pad is a pad...it protects during the period:)  Didn't you learn this in health class?
1079324
Mosquitoes are principally nectar feeders with only the females requiring a meal of blood.  This is because the females require protein for egg development, and since the normal mosquito diet consists of nectar and fruit juice, which has no protein, most must drink blood. Males differ from females, with mouth parts not suitable for blood sucking.\n\nThe females of blood sucking species locate their victims primarily through scent. They are extremely sensitive to the carbon dioxide in exhaled breath, as well as several substances found in sweat. Some people seem to attract mosquitoes more than others. Empirical studies of mosquito bites suggest that the risk of being bitten follows an approximately negative binomial distribution. Being male, being overweight, and having type 'O' blood may increase the risk of being bitten. Mosquitoes can detect heat, so they can find warm-blooded mammals and birds very easily once they get close enough.\n\nTips on how to avoid mosquito bites:\n\n1.  removal of standing water\n2.  use of repellants\n\nMosquito repellents generally contain one of the following active ingredients: DEET, Catnip oil extract, nepetalactone, citronella, or eucalyptus oil extract. Often the best "repellent" is a fan or gentle breeze as mosquitoes do not like moving air.\n\nOther popular methods of household mosquito control include use of small electrical mats, mosquito repellent vapour, and mosquito coil, all containing a form of the chemical allethrin. Mosquito repellent candles containing Citronella oil is another method to keep mosquitoes at bay. Some lesser known methods use the cultivation of plants like wormwood or sagewort, lemon balm, lemon grass, lemon thyme and the mosquito plant (Pelargonium) which act against mosquitoes. However scientists have determined that these plants are effective only when the leaves are crushed and used.\n\nThere are several widespread theories about mosquito control such as the assertion that Vitamin B, in particular B1 Thiamine, garlic, ultrasonic devices, incense, bats, purple martins and bug zappers can be used to repel or control mosquitoes. Whether these methods are effective at deterring mosquitoes or significantly reducing mosquito populations remains disputed. Moreover, some manufacturers of "mosquito repelling" ultrasonic devices have been found to be fraudulent.\n\nAlthough bats can be prodigious consumers of insects, many of which are pests, less than 1% of a bat's diet will consist of mosquitoes; bats mostly feed on larger insects such as beetles. Bats are known carriers of rabies, so care must be taken if attempting to use bats to control insects. Similarly, bug zappers kill a wide range of flying insects including many beneficial insects as well as mosquitoes; bug zappers are not effective at controlling mosquito populations.\n\nSome newer mosquito traps, like Coleman' Mosquito Deleto or The Mosquito Magnet emit a plume of carbon dioxide together with other mosquito attractants such as chemical scents, warmth, water vapor and sounds. By mimicking a mammal, these factors draw female mosquitoes toward the trap, where they are typically sucked into a net or holder where they collect. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, "these devices will, indeed, trap and kill measurable numbers of mosquitoes," but their effectiveness in any particular case will depend on a number of factors such as the size and species of the mosquito population and the type and location of the breeding habitat. The relative effectiveness of these newer mosquito traps is still being studied.\n\nSimple remedy on mosquito bites:\n\nThe itchiness of mosquito bites is often treated with calamine lotion, which may have a soothing effect, although its effectiveness is not medically proven. Other insect bite relief sticks such as After Bite are commercially available. Oral or topically applied antihistamines, and diphenhydramine in particular,
1125544
prophylactics.  raincoats.  baby blockers.
461546
If only they would die!!\n\nHOWEVER...\n\nNot only can some of the mosquito eggs survive the winter, it is shown that even some adult females (the biting ones) may survive as well.  Granted, most do not.  \n\nEggs are by far the hardiest.  There have been cases where eggs have survived up to 7 years before hatching (in areas where a hard freeze occurs in the winter).  Although the likelihood of an egg surviving decreases exponentially each year, some always seem to make it.  This also explains why the number of mosquitoes can be so overwhelming after a region gets a great deal of precipitation (causing areas that normally don't have standing water during rainy seasons to have standing water).  Not only are you dealing with the mosquitoes from the current year, but all of the eggs hatching from the previous years that did not have enough water for them to "hatch".\n\nThe physiology and mechanism of their surviving the freezing temperatures is beyond me!\n\nI hope this has helped explain at least part of your question.
12186
They itch because your body is reacting to a chemical the mosquitoes inject into your skin to keep you from feeling them suck your blood. As for stopping the itching, I've always had good luck with After Bite - http://www.tendercorp.com/afterbite.html
368253
I bought a small device that clips onto your clothing, tents, etc. It emits a sound that drives away the insects. I love the smell of Skin so Soft but I'm allergic to it. The vitamin remedy may work but one must take it a few days for it to permeate the skin. The sound device is instantaneous. It operates on a battery. It may be purchased in most camping gear departments or sporting goods stores. I am allergic to mosquito bites and this thing is terrific! It is about the size of a small hen's egg, only flatter. It weighs next to nothing.\n\n  Just a fun fact: in the forest, if you crush fiddlehead ferns and rub the juice on your skin, it's a dandy repellant!
952887
There is no actual proof showing whether they do or don't transmit HIV.\n\nThe female mosquito requires blood to lay her eggs.  If she is interrupted in the process of withdrawing blood, she may land on a different source co-mingling the two different blood sources in her own body.  If she is interrupted, say swatted or squashed while she is still withdrawing blood, some of the blood she has already withdrawn that is inside her will likely will backwash into the current source.  That is how disease is spread.\n\nWhile we are told there are no known HIV transmissions in this manner, it is technically possible.
70975
No, this is a myth. Mosquitos are repelled by DEET and a few other chemicals - see below.  They are ATTRACTED by many of our activities.\nUse this list of items and activities that attract mosquitoes as a list of things to avoid or that can be used as bait to lure mosquitoes away from you.\n\n    * Dark Clothing\n\n      Many mosquitoes use vision to locate hosts from a distance. Dark clothes and foliage are initial attractants.\n\n    * Carbon Dioxide\n\n      You give off more carbon dioxide when you are hot or have been exercising. A burning candle or other fire is another source of carbon dioxide.\n\n    * Lactic Acid\n\n      You release more lactic acid when you have been exercising or after eating certain foods (e.g., salty foods, high-potassium foods).\n\n    * Floral or Fruity Fragrances\n\n      In addition to perfumes, hair products, and scented sunscreens, watch for the subtle floral fragrance from fabric softeners and dryer sheets.\n\n    * Skin Temperature\n\n      The exact temperature depends on the type of mosquito. Many mosquitoes are attracted to the slightly cooler temperatures of the extremities.\n\n    * Moisture\n\n      Mosquitoes are attracted by perspiration because of the chemicals it contains and also because it increases the humidity around your body. Even small amounts of water (e.g., moist plants or mud puddles) will draw mosquitoes. Standing water also allows mosquitoes to reproduce. \n\nSome natural repellents include:\n    * Citronella Oil\n    * Castor Oil\n    * Rosemary Oil\n    * Lemongrass Oil\n    * Cedar Oil\n    * Peppermint Oil\n    * Clove Oil\n    * Geranium Oil\n    * Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Cinnamon, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic \n\nAnother plant-derived substance, pyrethrum, is an insecticide. Pyrethrum comes from the flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium.   All are aromatic oils and can be harmful as well so use with caution.\n\nEET is absorbed through the skin, so it is important to use as low a concentration as is effective (10% or less for children) and as small an amount as is necessary.\nBiting insects use chemical, visual, and thermal cues to locate hosts. DEET is believed to work by blocking the chemical receptors for carbon dioxide and lactic acid, two of the substances released by our bodies that serve as attractants. Although DEET helps keep insects from locating people, there is probably more involved in DEET's effectiveness, since mosquitoes won't bite DEET-treated skin. However, skin only a few centimeters away from DEET is susceptible to bites.\n\n\nAs for garlic, and B vitamins, these really won't help much.
399385
to help prevents bugs from getting in