"Shell" wrote in message y.com...

Anyway, I have recently read that citronella has no effect
on mosquitos ( http://www.bushman-repellent.com/med.htm ) this is a
pity as I'd a half-formed plan to plant citronella bushes (or trees,
or whatever it comes from) around the property to keep dogs, cats and
mosquitos away. DEET seems the only chemical answer and that isn't
very nice to spray around if you get hay-fever.


We have both cold weather and hot weather species and many kinds of each.
They're attracted by CO2, dark colors, people who are allergic to them give
off a scent that attracts them I think, along with the neon sign above the
head flashing FREE FOOD. From my experience citronella candles do work and
one of the best things I have found is an electric fan. Around here they
carry West Nile and Louisiana Encephilitis.

The research seems pretty convincing regarding the inefficacy of
citronella. Maybe there is some placebo effect at work here or maybe
New Zealand species of mosquito react differently from those examined
in the study.

More research seems to be indicated.