Mosquito Deterrents and Killers - What Have You Found to Not Work or Be Completely Useless and What The Most Effective?

AlienC on 22/12/2017 - 20:08
Last edited 22/12/2017 - 20:10

So summer is here and so now are the mosquitoes?

Thinking about investing in a few mosquito and just overall bug deterrents and killers apart from the usual spray can of bug kill.

What have you found to be most effective and maybe even safest or what doesn't work as well or is not the best.

Will probably pick up a bug zapper lantern one for my room and for outside.

Maybe even one for the kitchen to double as a nightlight.

Looking at mosquito coils and bug repellent lotion.

But mainly the solar and wired static bug zapper lanterns.

So what have you found to be the most effective.

If the lanterns aren't that good then maybe I'll just buy something else that is.

Does a lantern bug zapper work in a well lit room or does it need to be the primary source of light in its vicinity.

As always thanks again Ozbargain I'm nearly on my way to full independence haha lol just a few more questions lol.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • SharedSugar on 22/12/2017 - 21:07

    I've been trying plants. So far the lavender doesn't seem to work. I also have mint, basil and rosemary, but they aren't big enough to know yet.

    I also personally don't seem to be bitten often. There is something about some people that attracts them.

    • AlienC on 22/12/2017 - 21:40

      I can definitely attest to your last statement.

      I used to not get bitten as often when I was on a much different diet and lifestyle than I was now.. trying to honestly recall it but can't for the life of me it was a long time ago.

      Going to try a 40-50cm fan blowing on me with a bug zapper lantern in my room first off and see if that works..

      If no bueno then gonna have to go the lotion spray repellent route.

      I like the idea of coils as well.

      Will probably pass on the outlet sound ones or plug in repellents unless anyone can confirm their usability is worth the investment.

      My windows are built in that installing fly screens even a magnetic one won't be 100% maybe 95% at best they have a weird latch bolt type thingy to control the range of openness.

      Want to convert them to standard Windows but they are not that high on the diy renovation priority list.

      Really like the idea of the lanterns doubling as night lights though.

  • chumlee on 22/12/2017 - 21:49
    +2

    Garlic

    Rub it all over you and eat it 3 times a day. Nothing will go near you

    • AlienC on 22/12/2017 - 22:11
      +5

      Will post results.

    • marquise on 23/12/2017 - 01:30
      +11

      Yup, will also repel vampires and potential romantic partners. But that's ok, since all 3 will suck the life out of you at some point.

  • jenki on 22/12/2017 - 23:46
    +1

    I use the plug in ones for the bedroom (similar to the this, but any brand would do www.mortein.com.au/products/auto-plugins/peaceful-nights/ ). I only plug it in at night to maximise their life. I like them because they are odorless, silent and work well.
    In the lounge room we use an automatic spray like this: www.mortein.com.au/products/naturgard/naturgard-auto-protect…
    You can adjust the frequency of the spray via a dial on the back. Personally I wouldn't like this in the bedroom because it isn't completely silent (makes a small hiss when it sprays) but it is ideal for larger areas.

  • jenki on 22/12/2017 - 23:50

    I get eaten alive by mozzies in summer so these are my tried and tested techniques.
    I don't use coils because I'm worried about the potential fire danger.

  • AlienC on 22/12/2017 - 23:54
    +1

    Thanks those are some good items appreciate the advices will keep em in mind.

    Yeah the hiss from the spray sometimes scares me haha lol.

    Especially when I forget it's there lol.

  • OldBugger on 23/12/2017 - 01:57

    A few scotches usually keeps them away. Doesn't stop the ladies from biting though ho, ho, ho.

  • cassidy02 on 23/12/2017 - 07:31

    The Checkout did research on the best solution, check YouTube, there's clips of the segment.

  • Scab on 23/12/2017 - 09:08

    I hate mozzies, when I lived in Sydney I got Ross River from them and years later I still have symptoms.

    Tried everything and found the best stuff is Neem oil.

    Stinks like garlic/sulphur but I mix it with some lavender essential oil.

    Highly effective and you can also use it on candles instead of buying commercial ones.

    Also deters other insects.

  • Davo1111 on 23/12/2017 - 10:42

    RE bug zappers, bit the bullet and bought one. We set it up inside the house, behind the flyscreen, that way it doesnt murder all the moths, but only kills insects that are able to get in around the screen.

    I won't say it's perfect, and imo it works best when there are no other lights on inside the house. However, when i clean it, there are always a lot of mozzies caught in it. So it is killing them. and for an 8 watt light, it's using very little power.

  • iratepirate on 23/12/2017 - 13:52

    I'd be cautious with coils in an enclosed space.

    One study estimated the particulate matter produced from burning one mosquito coil was equivalent to burning 75-137 cigarettes.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241646/

    • Scab on 23/12/2017 - 13:57

      With the price of cigarettes these days this seems like a cheap option.

      A pack a day habit would only need one to two coils a week.

      • AlienC on 24/12/2017 - 01:19

        Lol peak Ozbargain mathematics thinking right here.

    • AlienC on 24/12/2017 - 01:20

      Ouch hmm ok not sure now if I want it more or want it less haha lol.. I actually like the smell of cigarettes now and petrol but not the negative side effects.. I'm freaking weird I know God please help me

  • shaybisc on 23/12/2017 - 18:13

    Do you mean indoors or outdoors? Indoors I get about one mozzie per year if that- flyscreens. No screens and the best protection is a fan going all night.

    Outdoors I use Bushman Plus for heavy protection and any of the cheap aerosols like Aldi Repellex for light protection.

  • AlienC on 24/12/2017 - 01:29

    What's everybody's thoughts on the plug in deterrents like raids one from Woolworths (coles only sells the refills online)

    https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/311072/rai…

    And Mortein's equivalent

    https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/900304/mor…

    Will be plugged in a daisy chain power outlet on the ground pointing up unless it is recommended to be placed up high like automatic aroma sprayers then I can maybe Jerry rig or MacGyver a power outlet somewhere up high with some sticky tape.

    I get a lot of insects in my room every night because of my odd window arrangement needs future diy maybe replacement.

  • Euphemistic on 24/12/2017 - 08:04
    +1

    Flyscreens first. Stop them getting in with all means possible.

    • casho on 24/12/2017 - 15:49

      This! Flyscreen your house and problem solved. If you're outside then try Bushman plus with 80% DEET

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