How are the Skeeters?

[keller34]

Ah well there we go

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[theITdiver]

I know this thread has faded off but I was wondering if anyone has any update on the skeeters in Coz. I'll be down there at the end of July and I'm usually a good target for bites. Thanks!

 

[pidgiepoo]

I was planning on reviving the thread soon, leko, since I'm going in August...but I'm loaded for bear with sprays and towlettes no matter what the current mosquito situation is. Bought Walgreens out of OFF towlettes when they had their sale of two 12 packet boxes for $4.65. Not a box left within a 10 mile radius of Columbus !! However, you might find some in Dayton since I didn't make it that far.

 

[pidgiepoo]

OK someone down in Coz..I'm leaving in one week and want to know how the skeeters are right now. Packing a bunch of OFF products just to be safe...but if they are bad, I'll pack more
thanks ahead of time for any current mosquito reports

 

[Ms. Ann Thrope]

We are here now. Slapped one dead on the waterfront last night, but I haven't noticed many, especially here near water.

 

[theITdiver]

We are here now. Slapped one dead on the waterfront last night, but I haven't noticed many, especially here near water.

I got back earlier this week from a week in Coz so here is my report!

My GF and I had very minimal issue with the skeeters. We had an occasional bitein the evening if we were in an area out of the wind but the itch would be gone by morning. The one night we both got eaten up was our last night when we were sitting by the pool at the hotel for a show. we were sitting on pool chairs between 2 trees/planters and the next morning our legs were eaten up. in the mosquito's defense, I think every other night we had used bug spray but this night we had forgotten. After dark we were using the Off DeepWoods pump spray that's around 97.xx% DEET and during the day if we were headed into an area we were worried about skeeters we would use the Coleman aerosol 40% DEET spray. One application to my clothes before I put them on (usually out on the balcony) before we went out and we would be fine. Most of the time after dark we would make sure to wear long pants also.

The one interesting thing I noticed, here in the states when I get a mosquito bite I never feel the moment I actually get bitten, I notice the bite later after the itch and swelling sets in. The mosquito's in Coz, most of the time, I would feel right when they bit me and squash them immediately, often getting a smear of blood that was in them from the bite, on my skin.

Summary, Take a 40% or better DEET spray, use it before you go out in the evening, and wear pants and you should be fine. no need to pay baggage overweight fees because you're taking 47 lbs of bug repellents.

I hope this helps!
Rob

 

[pidgiepoo]

thanks for the great report, Rob. I worry about dengue because I'm such a mosquito magnet. I'm taking the Deep Woods OFF towelettes and they are suppose to last up to 10 hours. They come in light weight boxes and fit nicely in suitcases. Still thinking about taking a spray,too, but will wait to see if I have room after packing.
Thank goodness the mosquito situation has improved since last month after the rains.
Pidge

 

[DandyDon]

I don't mind a few bites, but I'd hate to pick up some of the illnesses they carry.

 

[theITdiver]

thanks for the great report, Rob. I worry about dengue because I'm such a mosquito magnet. I'm taking the Deep Woods OFF towelettes and they are suppose to last up to 10 hours. They come in light weight boxes and fit nicely in suitcases. Still thinking about taking a spray,too, but will wait to see if I have room after packing.
Thank goodness the mosquito situation has improved since last month after the rains.
Pidge

IMO I would take the spray over the wipes. I feel better applying most of the DEET to my clothes rather than my skin. One day we applied the DEET directly to our skin shortly after diving and we both had a reaction that was itchy and red, presumably from our skin pores being open from being in the water all day. Once we showered and reapplied to our clothes instead of skin the reaction stopped and we were protected just fine.

I am a mosquito magnet as well as I am very warm-bodied and skeeters see in the infrared spectrum so they go to the fair skinned warm bodies first. I felt best covered by treating my clothes and exposed arms and also didn't feel like I was dosing my body with the questionable chemical. I'm not a health nut by any means but I know from researching that there can be reactions to too much DEET applied to skin.

 

[Carlos Danger]

There are apparently a number of factors that can contribute to your own personal level of mosquito attractiveness. People with "O" blood Types are apparently preferred over Type A; Type B's fall somewhere in the middle. They are attracted to the smell of ethanol secreted though the skin, and also to body heat and carbon dioxide. So, if you have been drinking, exercising, or are pregnant, you are at a higher risk of getting bitten. Mosquitos are also attracted to dark clothing, and tend to be more active around dusk and dawn.

As for repellant, I have used 3M Ultrathon 12hr over the past few years, and have been very impressed with the results:

3M? Ultrathon? Insect Repellent - Lotion Product Page - For Personal Application