DEET, timing, a thick skin, DEET.

If you assume the average mosquito will travel half a mile: then to control
those mosquitos, you'll have to take care of standing water in a square
mile, or 640 acres. You could drive yourself nuts trying to do that. DEET
has a bit of an unpleasant smell but the science is in and it is safe.

On the other side you are taking more chances with your health if you eat
potato chips than the risk posed by West Nile virus, so enjoy your yard.

I agree with you on the insecticides. The anti mosquito craze is going to
do terrible things to the environment. Pity the poor frogs, newts,
salamanders, fishes, waterfowl and wildflowers. Better to lose it all, than
one of us middleclass be inconvenienced.

--
Bill C. )`
New Brunswick, Canada
45º 3' 0"N 66º 54' 0"W