Any suggestions for keeping mosquitoes away from a poor dog? I've not known a year like it, have zappers where they sleep but where ever the poor boy settles during the day they are buzzing around upsetting him - he can't settle - on the move attempting to get a way.

Would spraying a bandana or lightweight dog coat with repellent for him to wear work?  That way no matter where he goes they shouldn't follow.

I have an allergy to mosquitos and was told by a nurse at allergy clinic to use pure citronella from a health store, dotted around or on clothing / bedding etc - havent tried it yet though!  Think you can also mix it with a carrier oil and put straight onto skin.

I spent half an hour chasing mozzies round the bedroom last night, didn't help that a dog saw me hunting them down and barked encouragement!

Settled to sleep and heard a loud mozzy whine just by my ear so slapped the side of my head very hard - ouch! - but heard no more!

Have just tracked down some Golden Cup balm and ordered on ebay, from Thailand. It's a bit like Tiger Balm but also contains methyl salicylate (an aspirin compound), there is nothing better to put on insect bites as the salicylate kills the itching immediately and numbs the bite.

Would not use it on a dog, though.

> It's a bit like Tiger Balm

love the smell of Tiger Balm.

Most mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, but there are also mosquitoes that seek hosts during the day. In particular, the females of many species of mosquitoes are blood-sucking pests and dangerous vectors of diseases, whereas members of the similar-looking Chronometric and Stipulate are not. Mosquitoes also target who people who produce excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid. These substances can trigger mosquitoes' sense of smell, luring them to land on unsuspecting victims.

I've heard there's an Avon skin cream; think it's called So Soft? Comes highly recommended by people in Aus. I've never been bitten before so not sure if I'm one of those people that repels them!

Ive heard that too , the blue one i believe.

Mosquitoes also target who people who produce excess amounts of certain acids, such as uric acid. These substances can trigger mosquitoes' sense of smell, luring them to land on unsuspecting victims.

Otto & I have something else in common! 
My lower legs look very interesting with over 50 bites but the poor dog just spends his days moving around the house in an attempt to be rid of them. Had forgotten the tiger balm in the back of the cupboard, though I wouldn't mind a tin of Aussie Aerogard for old times sake,
A friend has just suggested;-
Mossies- most effective is boiled up elder-tree leaves, sprayed from a plant sprayer - but really stinks! Alternatively, a more social solution is tea tree & citronella - again mix with water & put in plant spray.
Thank you all

Avon skin so soft is meant to be good for midges for some people....unfortunately not for me :-(

There is a new repellant I am using for midges, called 'smidge' http://2010.midgeforecast.co.uk/index.php/info/how_does_smidge_work which I have found to work quite well for me.  Haven't tried it on dogs yet though, perhaps you can give them a call,

The cursed things were out in force last night,in the agility field,we were there till 9 30,and it was quite funny to see everyone scratching or flapping at their heads!Ive never known them so bad!

We went for a family meal tonight and were all comparing bites! I don't think I've ever known a year like it either!! I've currently got about 4 swollen bites, one on a knuckle, one on my shoulder, one on my arm and foot.

I also had 2 Horsefly bites a couple of weeks ago, very nasty & took ages to settle down.

My walls and ceiling in the bedroom are covered in spattered mosquitos. The worst thing in the world is switching the lights out after the mosquito hunt only to get buzzed by one! they're driving me nuts!

I went into Boots a couple of days ago to get some antihistamine cream and the lady serving said they sell out the same day they're getting new supplies in. I think it's a nationwide problem, no doubt the humid very damp has something to do with it.

What purpose do they serve anyway?

>I've heard there's an Avon skin cream; think it's called So Soft?

It's a bath oil, called Skin So Soft.  Kept the blighters away from me when I went to Oklahoma.  I just sprayed it on my skin straight from the bottle.

The news tonight reckons that Somerset has been seeing them in huge swarms. 

> My walls and ceiling in the bedroom are covered in spattered mosquitos. The worst thing in the world is switching the lights out after the mosquito hunt only to get buzzed by one! they're driving me nuts!

Same here.  My OH and I managed to entertain, and alarm in equal measure, a friend who was staying for a few days.  We were crashing around slapping the walls, giggling, cursing and then my OH fell off the bed...     Lord knows what she thought we were doing!!

I use a Baygon plug-in in the bedroom (part of the noise, and door banging, was me looking for it) and it's actually very effective.  I buy plenty of refills whenever we go to France but I suspect you can get it here too.  As long as I remember to switch it on about 20 mins before we go up it despatches any that are in there and seems to prevent any more form coming in.  I'm not sure if it's ok for the dogs but ours don't sleep upstairs

During the day if mozzies and horseflies are around I use a spray on insect repellant (with DEET) as I get a nasty reaction to bites.  Once bitten I use an After-Bite pen which contains ammonia.  Never knowingly under prepared!!

> The news tonight reckons that Somerset has been seeing them in huge swarms.

Oh JeanSW     all in my flippin' bedroom, see previous :)

I am covered in bites - those flipping Somerset mozzies are evil! Hospitality is great though :-)

Yep my legs are itching from bites.

Full of bites from training class last night.

At home though it's the tiny little cornflies as usual -they are everywhere and despite being so small you can hardly see them, they do enough bite. The poor dogs and cats are covered in them.