Help! Mosquitos are attacking

We use DEET, tried all the other various non-chemical methods and they work to an extent, but not as well as DEET. Never tried catnip oil, may have to give that a whirl. We also have one of those propane Defender machines out in the yard. They capture a ton of mosquitos everyday, so I can only assume it's doing some good. I also spray the grass every two weeks with a commercial product to repel them, that helps, but wears off quickly. I also have a ton of bats and barn swallows.

Here in east central MN where we have a lot of low marsh ground you can barely stay ahead of the mosquitoes. I've seen clouds so thick hovering over my house I couldn't see the blue sky through them. You literally will get carried away by these things if you don't control them somehow. I basically go with the shock and awe method and use everything in my arsenal!

Please don't go cold turkey on bananas- they are rich in potasium. Is there anything you can do to intensify your immune system (eat more whole foods, and less refined carbs), so your reactions might be less severe?

If you use the deet products, try them on clothing first before skin applications.

Good Luck.

I'll have to see how else I can get potassium. I already do whole grains and not much in refined foods (too many allergies with my daughter). I can't use DEET so natural is my only way to go. Had allergic reactions among my sibs so it's not a good idea for me to try it. My AVON does help and it works for about 6 hours but I just hate using chemicals unless I have to.

If I was in the country it would be a little easier for me to try animals for getting rid of them. But, alas, I married a country boy turned city boy, so we live in a small town in a small neighborhood. We only have 1/4 acre and I don't think my neighbors would very much appreciate guineas (although I might love them). I grew up on a small family farm but that was in Arizona and only had to deal with mosquitos once a year for a few weeks. Now, that I'm here in Texas, I have to deal with them for months.

Burt's Bees makes an herbal insect repellent - http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/...ubCategory=yes

I see that they have a new product as well... bug bite relief - http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/...ubCategory=yes


Badger Balm makes an anti-bug balm - http://www.badgerbalm.com/pc-21-2-anti-bug-balm.aspx

i remember in virginia all the rich golfers would put a bounty fabric sheet in there shirt pockets and they said that keeps the flys away. we used too zip tie them too the horses halters and it worked!