Mosquito repellents

[spookylad]

I've just moved into a flat that's right next to a river. While the view is great, I have had several nasty mosquito bites in just a couple of nights. Does anyone know any effective ways of keeping them out? I'd rather not have to cover myself with insect repellent every day!

[templeman]

You'll have great difficulty keeping them out unless you completely seal your flat.
Try one of those little plug in things that takes a tablet. Widely available (Boots sell them) Easy to use; cheap to run and generally very effective. Should keep the little blighters at bay.

[cupra]

Coming at this from another angle, is there an appreciable flow to the river?? Mozzies breed in still (stagnent) so it may be worth checking if there's anything near the flat that is holding such water (can be as little as a couple of pints worth!) - if there is, you can add a drop of cooking oil to the water which breaks the surface tension and stops the larvae from breathing thus killing them!

[woofgang]

lakeland plastics do mesh door and window panels which have sorted the mosquito and fly problem for us.

[KEJ2000]

There are houseplants called "citrosa" which have a lovely lemon-y smell that mosquitoes just hate and avoid coming near. You could keep a few of them inside your house, next to your bed and by the windows. They are not beautiful (they look like geraniums without the flowers), but I love their aroma, and they seem to work. They are easy enough to take care of. I bought mine from a supermarket that had a garden section. This was in America, but they must have those plants for sale in Britain too. Try inquiring at a garden store. Good luck!