Mosquitoes can be quite annoying and a serious problem when on man's terrain. They can interfere with work and spoil hours of leisure time. Their attacks on farm animals can cause weight loss and decreased milk production. Some mosquitoes transmit diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis, and West Nile virus (WN) to humans and animals.

Mosquitoes are insects belonging to the order Diptera, the True Flies. Like all True Flies, they have two wings, but unlike other flies, mosquito wings have scales. Female mosquito mouthparts form a long piercing, sucking snout. Males differ from females by having feathery antennae and mouthparts not suitable for piercing skin. A mosquito's principal food is nectar or similar sugar sources.

There are over 2500 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world with approximately 200 species in the United States and 77 species in Florida alone. A new species, Anopheles grabhamii, was reported in the Florida Keys in 2001. There are many ways to deter mosquitoes from biting you, the kids, and the family pets, but some methods are more toxic than others. There are natural repellents, electronic repellents, traditional repellents, and mosquito traps. And there are some fun and easy ways to repel these pests ...

• Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets. Just wipe on and go. This is great for babies.
• Supplement with one vitamin B-1 tablet a day April through October. Bob, a fisherman, hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years using vitamin B-1, also known as Thiamine Hydrochloride. Add 100 mg. of B-1 to a B-100 Complex daily during the mosquito season.
• Don't eat bananas during mosquito season because the mosquitoes love bananas! There is something about how your body processes the banana oil that attracts these female sugar-loving insects. So stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes will be much less interested in you.
• One of the best natural insect repellents is Vick's Vaporub®.
• Planting marigolds around your yard works great as a bug repellent because the flowers give off a fragrance bugs do not like. This is a great way to ward off mosquitoes without using chemical insecticides.
• Campers agree that the very best mosquito repellant is Avon Skin-So-Soft® Bath Oil mixed half and half with rubbing alcohol.
• One of the best natural insect repellants we use in Texas is made from the clear liquid vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It is reported to work great for mosquitoes and ticks, and spreading a little vanilla mixed with olive oil on your skin smells great.
• Commercial mosquito dunks will kill mosquito larvae before they become mosquitoes. They are fairly environmentally sound biological mosquito controls containing no toxic chemicals. Each dunk affectively treats up to 100 square feet of surface water regardless of depth for about 30 days. Dunks may be broken into smaller pieces to treat small areas. Unused and dried out dunks retain their potency indefinitely, so you can store extras for the long summer season. Put them in fountains, ponds, rain gutters, flower pot trays, and anywhere water may pool.
• Citronella soap is a product that started in the Bahamas and Belize. The soaps are made with olive oil for moisture and great lather, Aloe Vera to soothe the skin, and citronella oil to repel mosquitoes. For high intensity protection you can burn citronella incense. Mosquitoes avoid citronella and they hate the smoke.
• Citronella essential oil (Java Citronella) is considered to be the highest quality citronella on the market. The best quality is steam distilled from the grass giving it a fresh, sweet woody aroma. It blends well with geranium, cedar wood and other citrus oils. It is 100% pure essential oil - no additives, no dilutants, no adulteration, safe mosquito repellent.
  • Found In Young Living Blend: Purification
  • Purification Ingredients: Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia), lavandin (Lavandula x hybrida), and myrtle (Myrtus communis).
  • Botanical Family: Poaceae or Gramineae (grasses).
  • Plant Origin: Sri Lanka, Philippines, Egypt.
  • Extraction Method: Steam distilled from leaves.
  • Chemical Constituents: Terpene alcohols (35%): geraniol (18%), borneol (6%), citronnellol (8%); Aldehydes (5-15%): citronnellal (5%); Esters (9%); Phenols (9%): methyl isoeugenol (7%).
  • Action: Antibacterial, insectrepellent, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, deodorant, and insecticidal.
  • Traditional Uses: Various cultures have used this oil to treat intestinal parasites, digestive and menstrual problems, and as a stimulant.
  • Indications: Citronella oil may alleviate headaches, respiratory infections, neuralgia, fatigue, oily skin, and headaches.
  • Other Uses: This oil can be used as an antiseptic to sanitize and deodorize surfaces. It makes an excellent insect repellent when combined with cedarwood.
  • Application: Diffuse or apply topically on bottom of feet or on location diluted with massage oil.
  • Fragrant Influence: Insecticidal and soothing to the tissues.
  • Safety Data: If currently under a doctor’s care or pregnant, consult physician prior to use. Repeated use can result in extreme contact sensitization. Skin test for sensitivity.
  • Companion Oils: Bergamot, cedarwood, geranium, lemon, orange, and pine.
  
  
• Electronic repellents utilize one to two sound frequencies to simulate dragonflies and other male mosquitoes, creating a competitive environment for the blood-sucking female. These devices come with Velcro bands for wearing on your wrist or ankle, on your pocket or belt. This makes for a versatile, compact unit that you can take anywhere for protection. Some units even have a built-in red flashlight for nighttime use.
• When all else fails -- get a frog!