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Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » For the first time in YEARS I did not get a single mosquito bite this summer. Was it what I did or just a coinky dink?
RosieG

For the first time in YEARS I did not get a single mosquito bite this summer. Was it what I did or just a coinky dink?

I read that among the scents mosquitoes dislike (camphor, lavender) is cloves. So early in spring I began to simmer a small saucepan with water and whole cloves on the stove every morning for a couple of hours. I'd check to make sure the water hadn't evaporated and add more as needed. Now some folks simmer potpourri on the stove because the fragrance is so pleasant. It permeates the house. I figgered maybe whole cloves simmering would so upset the mosquitoes they'd stay away. Stay away they did. I cannot PROVE it was the cloves. But that's the only change I made. It could be that mosquitoes are going the way of bees and dying off. Are they?

Posted - September 23, 2019
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Responses


  • 16963
    Rosemary is another herb that mosquitoes tend to avoid. I had rosemary bushes at the front and back doors last summer - no mosquitoes inside! Got bitten almost to death OUTside, though :-(
      September 23, 2019 5:32 AM MDT
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  • 113301
    Really R? Good to know. Thank you for that handy hint. So obviously scent matters and you can attest to that! I used to use whole clovers when baking a ham. Ground cloves is among the spices I'd use in baking. I love the fragrance. My mom used to make an Armenian pastry (not sweet) that included ground cloves and walnuts. It was so good with coffee as a morning treat. Was it just luck that you had those Rosemary bushes or was it something you planted for that purpose? Rosemary is among the herbs I use but the house never gets redolent with it. I'll tell Jim about it. He might want to plant a couple of bushes! Happy First Day of Autumn 2019 in the USA Monday...I guess you're in Tuesday? :) This post was edited by RosieG at September 23, 2019 5:40 AM MDT
      September 23, 2019 5:38 AM MDT
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  • 16963
    Late Monday.
      September 23, 2019 5:43 AM MDT
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  • 113301
    Merci mon ami! :)
      September 23, 2019 5:47 AM MDT
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  • 44721
    What is coinky dink?

    Skeeters don't like me. Must be the alcohol.

      September 23, 2019 7:53 AM MDT
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