[PraiseTheLord]

Here you go. Lot of info at link, but copying some here.
PeoplesPharmacy is a GOLD MINE of info.
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How to Keep Mosquitoes from Biting You

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2016/05/15/how-to-keep-mosquitoes-from-biting-you/

Insect Repellents:

The gold standard of modern mosquito repellents is DEET. It was developed by the US military for use by forces fighting in tropical areas.
DEET has been available commercially since 1957. It is effective, but it melts plastic and some people experience skin irritation and even neurological symptoms when high concentrations are used.

[ link to Ad for mosquito free yard.]

Using Mosquito Repellent Properly:

Whichever effective insect repellent you choose, use it properly. The best ones protect for about eight hours; after that, they need to be reapplied. They should only be applied to clothing or exposed skin, not on skin under clothing.
A repellent should never be sprayed on the face. Instead, spray it onto the hands and use them to spread it on face, hair and ears. Once the repellent has been applied, wash the hands, especially before eating or drinking anything.
Once you come inside where mosquitoes can’t find you, shower or wash the repellent off. Clothing that has been sprayed should be laundered separately from other clothes.
Some companies sell clothing impregnated with permethrin to deter mosquitoes and ticks. Keeping a separate pair of socks and pants that have been treated with permethrin might be a good idea for people who spend a lot of time outdoors.

Alternatives to DEET:

Fortunately for those who prefer to avoid DEET, there are now other compounds that work well to keep mosquitoes from biting. Consumer Reports tested 16 bug repellents and found that two products with 20 percent picaridin (Sawyer Picaridin and Natrapel 8 Hour) performed just as well as Off! Deepwoods VIII, which contains 25 percent DEET. In fact, the Sawyer Picaridin also did a very good job of repelling ticks, which carry their own collection of nasty diseases.
According to Consumer Reports, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, with 30 percent lemon eucalyptus oil, was nearly as good. Products based on other natural plant oils hardly worked at all, so they wouldn’t be reliable in preventing mosquito bites or protecting people from Zika or West Nile viral infections.

[rodguy911]

We have been fighting mosquitoes here in the Keys as long as people have been here. Literally hundreds of years.
DEET is good. Problem is a small numbers of mazers will become immune to it and eventually it will lose its potency. Also you have to beware of rainfall that washes the deet into nearby bays,canals,the open ocean etc. Fish kills do occur and species like juvenile shrimp can be effected.
It's tricky business treating mosquitoes on a years round basis as we do here.

[DollyCali]

for years I have made up for me and pets a safe mixture.

from a site ( http://tasty-yummies.com/2013/07/17/homemade-essential-oil-insect-repellent-spray/ )

Oils to use for various pests:

Mosquitos – citronella, lemon eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, catnip, basil, clove, thyme, lemongrass, geranium, lavender

Fleas – cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, lemongrass, lavender, orange, pine,

Ticks – rose geranium, juniper, rosewood, thyme, grapefruit, oregano

PREP: In small spray bottle combine 2 oz distilled water; 1 oz witch hazel; 1 oz ACV; 40 drops of any combination of any of the oils.

I spray liberally (avoid eyes). Never have issues with fleas/ticks or flys on dogs. and the mosquitoes and flys avoid me also. I do a lot of heavy wood hiking near water.. This stuff works

Oh and BTW.. good morning all!