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http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2003/jun/7/mosquito_bites.htm
How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance--their bites can cause serious
complications including the transmission of diseases such as malaria, yellow
fever, encephalitis, and West Nile virus (WN) to humans and animals.

Mosquitoes belong to the Diptera order, otherwise known as the True Flies.
There are over 2,500 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world
with about 200 species in the United States. There are 77 species in Florida
alone, and a new species, Anopheles grabhamii, was reported in the Florida
Keys in 2001.

While there are many ways to deter mosquitoes from biting you, some are more
toxic than others. The following suggestions give you easy ways to repel
these pests:

a.. Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets--just wipe on and go. This is great
for babies.

b.. Supplement with one vitamin B-1 tablet a day from April through
October. Add 100 mg of B-1 to a B-100 Complex daily during the mosquito
season.

c.. Don't eat bananas during mosquito season--mosquitoes love bananas!
There is something about how your body processes the banana oil that
attracts these female sugar-loving insects.

d.. One of the best natural insect repellents is Vick's Vaporub®.

e.. 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.

f.. Campers agree that the very best mosquito repellant is Avon
Skin-So-Soft® bath oil mixed half and half with rubbing alcohol.

g.. 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.

h.. Commercial mosquito dunks will kill mosquito larvae before they become
mosquitoes. There 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,
flowerpot trays, and anywhere water may pool.

i.. 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.

j.. 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 percent pure
essential oil--no additives, no dilutants, no adulteration, just safe
mosquito repellent.

k.. 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, or 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.

l.. When all else fails--get a frog!

Most commercial insect repellants contain a chemical known as DEET and
should be used with caution, if at all. Many studies have found DEET to have
harmful effects. One study found that DEET causes diffuse brain cell death
and behavioral changes in rats, and researchers suggest that humans may
experience memory loss, headache, weakness, fatigue, muscle and joint pain,
tremors and shortness of breath with heavy exposure to DEET and other
insecticides.

Further, in combination with other chemicals or medications the chemicals
could cause brain deficits in vulnerable populations. Children are
particularly at risk for subtle brain changes because their skin more
readily absorbs chemicals in the environment and chemicals more potently
affect their developing nervous systems.

In the event that you choose to use DEET, although I strongly recommend
against it, do not use the products on infants and be very wary of using
them on children at all (at least make sure products for children contain 15
percent or less DEET). The following precautions were issued by The New York
State Department of Health for repellents containing DEET:

a.. Store bottle out of the reach of children and read all instructions on
label before applying.

b.. Do not let children apply DEET themselves because they may put them in
their mouths or touch their eyes.

c.. Avoid prolonged and excessive use of DEET. Use sparingly to cover
exposed skin; do not treat unexposed skin.

d.. Do not apply repellents in enclosed areas. This is especially
important when using sprays or aerosols.

e.. Do not apply directly on face.

f.. DEET can be applied to clothing, but may damage some synthetic fabrics
and plastics.

g.. Wash treated skin and clothing after returning indoors.

h.. If you believe you are having an adverse reaction to a repellent
containing DEET, wash the treated area immediately and call your physician.
Janet Starr Hull's Healthy Newsletter May 2003