Protect yourself from Mosquitos

[65hoss]

I decided to put this here to make sure it gets more exposure. Burried on page 15 of a local paper yesterday it had an article that 500 mosquitos in the area were found infected with the West Nile Virus. They found the dead bird that was carrying it. I'm in a town outside of Memphis, TN. If it is here it can be anywhere!! The article goes on to say that there is no cure, and some symptoms are fever, body and headaches, swollen glands, etc. It says to stay inside in the evening or wear plenty of repellant.

I thought everyone here should know that this is something they should be aware of since we work outside.

[geogunn]

hoss--that is bad news for you flat landers! we hilljacks on ROCKY TOP don't have as much standing water. I hope that makes a difference.

GEO

[Wangel]

Has anyone tried those pocket electronic mosquito repellers? I saw one in a magazine for $15 that you wear on your belt and is suppose to repel mosquitoes. I just don't like spraying myself and clothing with this stuff mosquito repeller.

[sparechange]

clay, ragweed and mosquitos. we're cursed in tennessee

[AltaLawnCare]

Thanks for the heads up.

They're here in Virginia. As for the symptoms, I feel that way most of the time.

[Charles]

I got a skeeter on my xxxxx....OH NO I AM GOING TO DIE!!!!

[geogunn]

CHAAARRRRLLLES!!!

[GreenStar]

we have found dead crows that have tested positive for west nile.does any one know if i should worry about my dog being out?

[geogunn]

Originally posted by sparechange
clay, ragweed and mosquitos. we're cursed in tennessee

glad they don't have that stuff anywhere else!:p

GEO

[SCAPEASAURUSREX]

yeah .. We got em out here in joisy... They are soaking us with insecticides over the next two weeks to kill off the larvae. The funny thing is that more people get sick from the insecticides than the sketers... So far one old dude died from west nile , and they found a whole truck load of infected birds n stuff. This may sound really wierd but I have heard this stuff call skin soft or something ffrom avon is supposed to work at reppeling sketers and other stuff but it smells like , nasty but it's not a chemical. some natural oil or such ?? any body had any experience with this , ?? does it work at reppelling sketers or just makes you soft : )

Be safe................

HEY What happens if we bite the sketers first ?????

[Charles]

Article in todays paper that they found the west nile virus in birds in canada

[Rhett]

Have had two people die from misquito passed illnesses this year. A 10 year old boy and a 19 year old man.

[MowinChic]

SCAPEASAURUSREX, the product Avon sells is called Skin So Soft...it is actually a lotion. But, don't just smooth it on full strength or you'll get eaten alive(at least the mosquitoes here will love you for dinner!!!). Buy a cheap spray bottle and mix 1/4 lotion to 3/4 water (I think that is the correct formula) and shake well, then spray away. I'm not sure how the water changes it from making mosquitoes love you to making you undesirable, but it works. It works better if applied every couple of hours, and unless you like bees...apply it closer to sunset. This also does NOT work for everyone, some's natural chemical balance change the fragrance, just as with perfumes...but it may be worth a try if you detest Deet and other chemicals...


Cindy...MowinChic:p

[Eric ELM]

They found 2 dead Crows in the Chicago suburbs yesterday that tested positive for the Nile's Virus. I just thought I would pass this along.

[Davis TLC]

Sparechange, you forgot to mention the shallow soil and limestone out crops that sticks up in our area. Only been bothered by mosquitos one time this year, "knock on wood".

[sparechange]

sorry, i guess i did forget about the "growing" rocks around here.
i ran over one just the other day that wasn't there before. must be all the rain we've had.

[yardmonkey]

Did a quick web search on West Nile Virus and the top site that came up was the US Govenment's Center for Disease Control - http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/
In the question and answer section it says that there is not a great likelihood of getting the disease even though it is spreading. Also it says that ultrasonic devices are not effective against mosquito bites. Interesting and scary!

[Chip]

A flamingo at the Phila. Zoo just died from west nile. It has been around this area since last year if not longer. Most of our surrounding counties have seen the results of this deadly disease.

[kutnkev]

i found this net at wal mart cost 1.47. fits over your head and has elastic around the neck used it today works great . they also have a repellent that 100% det (whatever that is) but i did not have a single bit today. it cost 3.83 and comes in a little pump spray bottle. the other stuff is only 29% det.

[Dochere]

Another dead bird in Buffalo Grove, IL found with the west nile virus. They say it has effected all of northern IL as of now and Some parts of lower WI. Not Good...

[Joatmon]

There has been 45 cases of St Louis (close relation to West Nile) here in my neck of the woods, closer to Mid-South's area. They have been foggin like crazy...& its time for me to go mow the "skeeter hole" up on the lake :-(

Joatmon

[cutntrim]

Charles: The dead crow was found in Oakville which is our neighbouring town and one that we cut in two days per week. Oakville's about 20min from Toronto.

Hearing about West Nile showing up in Oakville, I did some research on the subject. Deet has been in use around the world for decades and is still the safest and most effective product available. If I remember correctly, the U.S. military issues repellant that contains 30% Deet. Products containing up to 100% are readily available.

Mosquitoes are perfectly engineered bloodsuckers and they're not easily deterred. An interesting fact I read was that you need to cover EVERY SINGLE SQUARE INCH of unprotected skin or they'll get you. They'll happily feast on your arm less than an inch away from an area soaked in Deet if you missed that spot.

Some people are more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Men more so than women, adults more so than children. Some people are more attractive to certain species of mosquitoes, while less attractive to other types.

According to what I found, the majority of those bitten by carrier mosquitoes will have no idea it was anything other than a normal bite. They'll just have the usual swelling and itching. A small percentage may feel some malaise and possible fever-like symptoms, but may not recognize the cause for what it is. Only a very small percentage will have any serious reactions to a carrier mosquito.

Bottom line is that we can take all the "precautions" we like, but as landscapers working outdoors every day during mosquito season there is nothing you can do to avoid all bites entirely. Unfortunately wearing a chemically treated bug suit and reapplying Deet head-to-toe every couple hours is not a realistic option.

Anyhow you're much more likely to be involved in a serious car accident or fall victim to any number of other misfortunes than die from West Nile.

[MowinChic]

Just found this for St. Louis Encephalitis

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

From what I understood reading this article, the form of West Nile Virus, here in the U.S., is St. Louis Encephalitis. It effects all of the U.S. and Mexico. Gives symptoms, etc...and let's you know there is no cure, for it is viral. But, may relieve some wonders and worries of our occupational hazard.
If you go to the home page, it also gives info on lyme disease and other things you may be interested in.

Cindy...MowinChic :p

[Lanelle]

I saw an article in the local paper today that two dead, infected crows were found in neighboring suburbs. Tonight on the news came the report of the first human case of West Nile Virus in our area---a man in Baltimore. An early winter may be the best blessing.

[t]

they are here in indy.skin so soft also and originally has oil spray no mixing and it stinks and works great, it will make you sooofffft,thank you.damn mosquitoes