Mosquito control

[Jacqueline]

Is there a good way to control mosquitos around the dogs?  We seem to be having more problems than usual with the mosquitos this season, and despite mosquito control coming by with both an aerial spray and hosing spray.....they are out there waiting for us as soon as the sun sets.  I can spray myself from head to toe with Repel, but am afraid to use it on Taffy, because she will lick it off her fur.  I have been using a  29 strength, and they are still getting at me. 

We are making the fastest possible potty breaks at night....but when ya gotta go...ya gotta.  I use Frontline on her.  Does that help keep them from biting her?  I just learned that we have 47 varieties of mosquitos in Florida.  Nothing like being outnumbered  :meme:

[Tona5959]

I got this shampoo from PetSmart that is like a 3 in 1 formula.  It conditions their fur to keep it nice and soft...then it also kills fleas...and it has something in it to keep the mosquitos and fleas away for up to 3 days.  So far so good.  Except the fact that I see little bites on them as soon as 3 days have gone by.  But I can't remember off the top of my head which one I've gotten.  I'll have to get back to you on that...

[April]

My grandfather used to have goats who of course were outside all the time.  He would hang up a rag soaked in oil (veggie oil would work I would think) and they would walk under it so it rubbed their backs to keep the flies and other fliers away from them.  Maybe rubbing a little bit of oil (not enough to make her greasy) onto her back/ears would help?

[Jacqueline]

I can just see what would happen if she were slick, lol.  While we were walking today, a neighbor from the marina pulled over and said, "I'll bet she can't walk very fast or very far, can she?"  Oh, if they only knew!  I told him that if she were given her head, she would be three blocks away in a shot....fast little devil.  It's funny how people think because doxys are short that they are slow.  They should try walking one who is in a hurry.

My daughter in law suggested spraying her lightly with diluted skin so soft bath oil.  Any one try that?

[lotsadox]

I use a product called Cloud Nine.  It's made by Halo and is marketed as a flea dip.  It comes with instructions on how to dilute it to make a spray.  The spray works very well as a mosquito (and other bug) repellent.  It was recommended to me by my very picky homeopathic vet so I believe it is very safe. It contains all natural ingredients.  You can even use it around the house to get rid of bugs.  I spray around the doggie door and my french doors with it and have very little problems with the big roaches coming in.  I guess that they don't like it and stay away.

[CA_Trixie]

I had no idea there are 47 different varieties of mosquitos.  :jaw: I use to use Avon's Skin So Soft as a spray on our horses it did a pretty good job.  I hope the suggestions given will be of some help. Good Luck

[April]

I just did a quick search in google for natural mosquito repellants and saw garlic and catnip were supposed to be good to use.  I also found the following.  Maybe a few drops of the oil on the shoulder blades would keep the mosquitos away during potty breaks?

"These natural products will effectively repel mosquitoes, but they require more frequent reapplication (at least every 2 hours) and higher concentrations than DEET. Because of the differences between types of mosquitoes, products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient. As you can see, natural repellents tend to be volatile plant oils.

Citronella Oil
Castor Oil
Rosemary Oil
Lemongrass Oil
Cedar Oil
Peppermint Oil
Clove Oil
Geranium Oil
Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Cinnamon, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic
Another plant-derived substance, pyrethrum, is an insecticide. Pyrethrum comes from the flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium. "

Here's a link to get citronella oil as well as some other cool stuff like rescue remedy. 
http://www.kerrysherbals.com/essentialoils.shtml