aka Anopheles, or mosquito.
What IS the specific plural; more than one? A flock, a swarm… a murder?
In my new digs, I have become lunch for one-or-more of these critters. (translation: I’m being eaten alive!) As it’s the warmest part of the house, I usually wear lighter (fewer?) clothes.
Five days ago, she (the females do the attacking – not unlike spiders) or they made quick work of my left arm (I’m left-handed-how’d they know this?) and thus began the itch fest. Since then I’ve purchased Off! Insect Repellent and Benadryl Gel. I now religiously apply both to the target areas. Of course, they then sought out new territory fresh meat – like my armpit!
(If only they came in a handy 55 gallon drum in which to immerse myself!)
The Wisdom of the Internet tells me application of a base solution will aid in alleviation of the itching. I’ve been applying hydrogen peroxide (lasted 10 minutes) household bleach (lasts much longer) to the four or five bite sites, with mediocre success. Which is better than no success. The Benadryl works better.
This morning they are itching much less, and less red. At least on the older bites. I still have the new ones with which to deal. Guess it’s a process.
I blame their presence on the T**** Town Lake Mosquito Pond.
Next, I suspect is the malaria or West Nile? Yellow Fever?
Knowing me, I’ll get whichever is worse!
(attn FTC: Get Bit! I paid full retail for the preparations named above!)
I don’t remember where I heard it, but if you rub Old Spice (old original) deodorant on the bites, you should get some relief. I use it on chiggers and mosquito bites. Works for me!
Posted by DanBob | September 7, 2012, 8:15 amCool! Thanks.
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 7, 2012, 8:18 amThere’s nothing more aggravating than skeeter bites; I feel for you, friend. I use Cutter’s 100% DEET juice to prevent the bites. (Skeeters are Alaska’s state bird, ya know.)
Posted by Rev. Paul | September 7, 2012, 8:24 am(re: Alaskan mosquitos)
I understand they carry one away and wedge them in the fork of a tree to eat later?
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 7, 2012, 8:28 amThat has been known to happen (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
Posted by Rev. Paul | September 8, 2012, 8:58 amYou’ll probably never let me comment at your blog again, but I’m never bothered by mosquitoes or most other insects. I think I’ve been bitten by mosquitoes maybe four times in my life, and always THROUGH clothing. The few times mosquitoes even land on my skin, they take off again immediately! They had plenty of opportunity too… we used to do a lot of duck hunting.
Wish I knew why they don’t bite me… Never have figured it out, but my late husband said it must be my acid personality. LOL
As for the itching of bites, try using some unseasoned meat tenderizer. Make a paste with a tiny amount of the powder and water, then apply to the bites. Treat them as soon as possible. I used this with my husband and children, who would be eaten alive any time they stepped outdoors.
Use the repellent products with care. Small, frequent applications are much better than soaking in the stuff once in a while. And spray it on your lighter weight clothing too because “skeeters” can and will bite right through your shirt – as I’m sure you know.
Just really wonder HOW they got to your armpits, however. You fall asleep with your arms over your head?
Posted by MamaLiberty | September 7, 2012, 9:57 amML – you are always welcome! And most fortunate.
Based on your logic, perhaps it’s because I’m so sweet?
(I am a diabetic…perhaps that contributes)
OKAY, armpit adjacent, but I still had to have one arm somehow elevated. (Perhaps reaching for that missing woman in my life. I know. TMI)
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 7, 2012, 10:16 amHit the bites with a dab of ammonia as soon as possible. That helps. Wait a minute or three and then go to the Benedryl gel. If they are indoors you need to find the hole that they are using to get in. Outside you need to find the standing water they are breeding in (hopefully that isn’t inside!)
Next time you are going to be away for a couple days, zap the place with malathion just before you leave (and after you’ve loaded the car).
Posted by Knucklehead | September 7, 2012, 1:36 pmThanks!
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 7, 2012, 7:23 pmWhen I was growing up in Missouri, we used Campho-Phenique on mosquito bites. It worked pretty well, as I recall.
Posted by AuricTech | September 7, 2012, 6:21 pmThanks. Hadn’t heard of that in years.
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 7, 2012, 7:24 pmFind rubbing most insect bites with the inside of a banana peel helps.
Posted by WellSeasonedFool | September 7, 2012, 6:36 pmInteresting. Hadn’t heard that one.
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 7, 2012, 7:26 pmI also suffer from being irresistible to mossies. One of these things- http://www.mortein.com.au/product_nat_auto_ind_ins.php will keep a house mossie free for minimal costs.
Posted by James In Australia | September 7, 2012, 8:54 pmThanks! Great to hear from Down Under!
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 7, 2012, 11:10 pmHeat. Heat breaks down the stuff that causes itching. They sell a little electric gizmo to do it, but heat is heat. Just apply heat to the bite for about 30 seconds. In the last week I’ve used the dashboard of my truck, a sun-baked stone from my yard, and a hot ceramic cup I’d microwaved some water in to deal with annoying bites. Don’t burn yourself, but it should be about as hot as you can stand. I wish I’d known this years ago.
http://www.therapik.com/
Posted by ernunnos | September 7, 2012, 9:35 pmThanks. I’d not heard of that!
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 7, 2012, 11:11 pmI was surprised when I donated blood a couple weeks ago that in addition to screen you for all the Naked Twister transmitted diseases they also screen for West Nile.
Ii second the Campho Phenique. It’s what Mom always put on the bites and although it smells sort of nasty (medicinal, like Vicks), it works and it’s super cheap.
Arms up in your sleep huh, more dreams about fending off swarms of super models?
Posted by brigid | September 8, 2012, 6:43 amFending off?
Hardly.
Thanks for the +1 on the CP, tho!
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 8, 2012, 6:59 amIn a pinch, anti perspirant with take the sting out of just about any bug bite. And don’t scratch ‘em, press on ‘em. A study was done a decade or so ago of indiginous tribes of the Amazon, and they found that these people are not victimized by mosquitos, even though they are surrounded by them year round, but when they move to a major population center (like Rio) and start to consume a diet with salt in it, the mosquitos suddenly found them to be delicious! So, salt and sugar seem to be contributing factors. Something else I heard recently, mosquito repellant doesn’t actually repel mosquitos, it works by making you invisible to the mosquitos, I guess it fogs their senses. try that repellent thingy that off makes, the one you wear on your belt, this way you don’t have to put it on your skin.
Posted by Gregory Brown | September 8, 2012, 6:21 pmThanks Greg! Good to hear from you.
Sadly, I eat both salt and sugar…
Posted by guffaw1952 | September 8, 2012, 10:24 pm