mosquitoes...advice?

Does anyone have advice on how to keep them away from my garden that i'm starting this spring without having to apply any kind of repellent onto my skin, I would appreciate it SO much!
I know they breed around water, but there is a creek on our property so I can't just get rid of any water

Originally Posted by ut0pia

Does anyone have advice on how to keep them away from my garden that i'm starting this spring without having to apply any kind of repellent onto my skin, I would appreciate it SO much!
I know they breed around water, but there is a creek on our property so I can't just get rid of any water

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I was going to correct some things on your rant more precisely about yellow fever and Malaria.... They are doing well, thank you very much!
Yep, they still exist, but people take vaccines and get treated prior to going into those problem areas...
I am afraid there is not much you can do about the mosquitoes if you have a creek in your property...
I know taking vitamin B-12 on a regular basis does help, as it changes your scent, and your sweat becomes a natural repellent, but it is not completely effective, of course.
There are also those gas repellents, they are expensive, but do work well...

Bats? You could build bat houses. That would be the natural way, but I don't know how effective they would be. I live in Florida and either suffer or use the repellent. Citrinella candles help a little. A fan helps too, since they like still air.
Mosquitoes like me so much people beg me to go camping with them.

Originally Posted by Carolina

I was going to correct some things on your rant

more precisely about yellow fever and Malaria.... They are doing well, thank you very much!
Yep, they still exist, but people take vaccines and get treated prior to going into those problem areas...
I am afraid there is not much you can do about the mosquitoes if you have a creek in your property...
I know taking vitamin B-12 on a regular basis does help, as it changes your scent, and your sweat becomes a natural repellent, but it is not completely effective, of course.
There are also those gas repellents, they are expensive, but do work well...

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That is unfortunate, I am taking B-12 so I hope it will help. I remembered from my class on history of the Americas about how the Spanish kept dying off from malaria, and so did the French when they tried to build the Panama canal and thus failed, but then when the Americans started work on the Panama canal, they developed a larvacide that could kill mosquitoes so they succeeded. Maybe they don't bother, or don't have the money to use it widely in some regions, not the incentive since native don't die from it..But this sucks I would gladly pay more taxes to get the government to take care of it Though that's a terrible thing to say for the poor mosquitoes who are living creatures too. Peta is coming after me.

Can you try citronella? I have used citronella candles successfully to keep bugs away. I know you can't burn candles around the clock, but it might help while you're gardening.

ETA: never mind, I just saw that RockCat suggested the same thing...

You can buy netting suits for working in the garden. We got some from Lee Valley Tools for camping.

If there is any sort of standing water on your property you can treat it and really should. You may even want to check to see if your city has an ordinance for standing water (can fine you). There are organic and chemical options.

There is no standing water, it's a creek so the water is running..
I wish they had revolution for humans
It would be nice to put a medicine on my skin once a month and know I won't be attacked.
There are a lot of bats around here, I like the bat house idea

Well, if it's running than you don't have to worry about mosquitoes from it.
And I don't. Would you really want to treat yourself with pesticide, and enough of it that it last for 30 days, every single month? A repellant would actually be safer and prevent bites.

Try the off clip ons or one of the sound emitters. Someone on here suggested a brand that actually worked in a thread last summer or the summer before.

The problem I have with repellent is that I don't think my skin can absorb both the repellant and sunscreen, and I need both of them.
The repellant leaves a sticky coating on my skin. And then there are so many mosquitos here that they find ways to get through clothes, so I can't put repellent on every inch of my body, I always miss something and get bitten there.
I will try the off clip ons, it sounds like a great idea, but the reviews don't look very promising.
I don't know why so many mosquitos here, they are all over my school campus too, it is impossible to sit at one of the many benches and beautiful outdoor study areas without getting at least 10-15 bites...

Originally Posted by ut0pia

it is impossible to sit at one of the many benches and beautiful outdoor study areas without getting at least 10-15 bites...

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You must taste good to them. I occasionally get bitten once or twice if they're out really thick - but usually they leave me alone.

A lot of people will actually spray their clothes with repellent, too. If you ever go hiking in the woods, do spray your clothing - especially your legs. Certain types of sand flies and tick nymphs can carry serious disease (not just lyme).
I hope you find a solution that works. I'm guessing if they're bad now it's just because you don't have a real winter there to take care of them.

at work I use a bracelet that emits some sort of sound they dont like. I got it for I think $1 from www.dealextreme.com

What about a bug zapper?

I garden extensively and being from Wisconsin, well, mosquitos are the unofficial state insect!!

Even though this have been mentioned, the standing water thing is huge! I know rain barrels are the new "hot", "Green" thing but mosquitos LOVE TO BREED IN THEM!! I treat both of mine with some water based insecticide granules. Same for water features that do not have running water. And standing water that will not be used in say 1 week should be dumped out.

I go to hunting/fishing stores and buy whatever mosquito repellant is available. I've tried the natural/organic repellents and really they do not work long term. One can do the long sleeve/pants thing but when it hot and humid-not a chance!

I'm lucky and mosquitos do not really bother me but deer flies are a whole different topic.

The off! clip ons work. I used them last summer while enjoying working in my gardens or reading in my yard.

I've never had any luck with citronella candles, so don't bother with them anymore, though every year I say I'm going to GROW citronella in the garden, but always forget.

vitamin B will keep the little black flies (aka may flies) away for about 4 hours (you HAVE to take it with food), but does not work for mosquitoes or deer flies.

I have a lovely roll on of lavendar and cedar which seems to work