I just laughed and shivered at the same time.

Oh my! bad bad bad girls and boys!

Think I'm staying away from this conversation! But I sure would have some funny comments to make, but don't want to be kicked off of here!

Me too. I used quite a bit of self control.

I think we all used some constraint here.

Well, I tried the cinnamon. Gave myself a nice powdering and rubbed it in. The Misquitos of North Carolina want to say thank you for making me even more appealing as an appetizer. I got 8 iris planted then had to run for cover. Guess it's not for everyone/everywhere?

If those little blood sucking critters think you are smelling sweet they will attack and tell all their friends! Maybe eating garlic and/or onion bread will help repel them? Or maybe garlic or onion or pepper deodorant or cologne? They apparently also sense perspiration hence the garlic/onion mix suggestion.

Essex county (where I live north of Boston) is famous for its mosquitos--the capital of their world. I hate not being able to garden or sit out after supper. We could do so at my childhood home in WI no matter what Tom says.

Leslie -- have you tried SkinSoSoft from Avon? It works wonderfully for repelling chiggers and ticks. Don't know about mosquitos...............

Mosquitos are easy to deal with if your just going to sit outside. Put up a big fan and sit in the breeze. They will not bother you then. But if you're trying to work in the garden in the evening, they are a pain!

With work, the evening is the only time I have to get things into the ground. And I love garlic, but have never found that it keeps them at bay. My Cutter sticks have always worked though.

Patchouli oil works 100% for me and mosquitoes are the Maine State Bird.

I knew Linnea would have a non-toxic solution. Thanks.

Where would one get Patchouli oil?

Is that an essential oil, Linnea?

Hmmmm, Patchouli oil, hippie perfume, (see urban dictionary ) not sure I could handle the sickenly sweet smell, I never did care for it.

A couple of good descriptions with these Amazon listings:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RSU0XU/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W3XC0K/

well, you could put a little patchouli oil on, Sue, and to counteract the smell spray the other remedy that is making the rounds of water mixed with ammonia. No mosquito would come near you.... neither would a hippy.... or anything! lol

Found a list of suggested products for children that are DEET free, that would be the way I would go, gentle and made from plant oils for the most part.

Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Insect Repellent
OFF! Botanicals Plant Based Insect Repellent (oil of lemon eucalyptus)
Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent (Picaridin) (Picaridin is another chemical ingredient found in repellents and is not a natural product. It is thought to be as effective as DEET and can be another option for parents looking for an alternative to DEET to consider.)

Bull Frog Mosquito Coast
Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellent (Lemongrass Oil, Citronella Oil, Rosemary Oil)
California Baby Bug Repellent Spray with Citronella
Repel Plant Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent

There is probably a similar list for adults.