Mosquito repellent

July 24, 2017 11:24 PM

We want to stop mosquitoes biting us as we sleep. We have some anti-mosquito tablets that get gently heated in a wall plug, and these seem to work, but we are worried about their effect on kids and animals. Should we be? Are there any alternatives we could use while sleeping, ideally without rubbing anything onto our skin or clothes. We don't want to use a net.
posted by bergnotburg to Health & Fitness (7 answers total)

Can you mosquito-proof your windows and bedroom door? That's a very comfortable solution if your house allows it. We are using one of those cheap door curtains that closes with magnets and it works very well, especially now that the cats have learned how to walk through it.
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:01 AM on July 25, 2017 [1 favorite]

Direct fans blowing in your sleeping area. A good speed so they both can't smell your location or fly near you.
posted by tilde at 4:20 AM on July 25, 2017 [7 favorites]

It sounds like different manufacturers may put different things into the anti-mosquito tables that are heated by the plugin elements - but the most common active ingredient seems to be Prallethrin aka Permethrin. This is toxic to fish but it has "low mammalian toxicity". It is the same insecticide that is often used to coat mosquito nets.
posted by rongorongo at 6:37 AM on July 25, 2017

Yeah, major fan action is the best. Coupled with keeping them out of your living or sleeping area in the first place.
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:38 AM on July 25, 2017 [1 favorite]

Nthing 'fan'. A simple desk fan on setting 2 (of 3) usually keeps them off of me, but I usually only get like one stray mosquito at a time...
posted by sexyrobot at 7:54 AM on July 25, 2017 [1 favorite]

I've found that diffusing lemon eucalyptus oil via an oil diffuser works for my living room. Our front door is in the room and is opened multiple times a day to let the dogs out and unfortunately some mosquitos in.
posted by Constant Reader at 10:57 AM on July 25, 2017

Our front door is in the room and is opened multiple times a day to let the dogs out and unfortunately some mosquitos in.

Point a fan at the door. Seems to have helped us; it's at human chest height, one of those powerful "vornado" types.
posted by tilde at 3:59 PM on July 25, 2017 [1 favorite]