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http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/28/garden/28SHOP.html

Keeping Mosquitoes at Bay Without Poison, Zap or Stink

By SUZANNE HAMLIN

OSQUITOES either love you or they don't, and my sympathies if they do. As a lifelong object of desire myself, I have suffered a double whammy: the bites of the nasty little insects and the faintly derisive skepticism of those whose skin type does not attract the potential carriers of, among other things, malaria and the West Nile virus.

But even if you are lucky enough to be a natural mosquito repellent, you probably want to rid your outdoor space of the invaders. Aided by a month of humid, rainy weather, I've attempted to do just that in my Brooklyn backyard. I was willing to try anything, as long as it did not involve heavy chemicals; require propane gas; make loud zapping noises; endanger children, dogs, cats, fish or birds; or smell like citronella, which I find almost as offensive as mosquitoes. Those criteria considerably narrowed the field, but several of the gentler repellents have not only worked, but have also, so far, created a mosquito-free zone.

Repellent Body Spray

Burt's Bees, which sells a line of environmentally friendly beauty and health aids, has a lemongrass spray that is effective and smells good, too. Unlike greasy, pungent creams and lotions, Lemongrass Insect Lotion is light and nonstaining, with a lemony scent. A personal endorsement: swarms of mosquitoes ignored me in the jungles of Costa Rica last summer. One four-ounce container is about $5 at health food stores or through www.burtsbees.com; (800) 849-7112.

Bug Jacket

Gardeners and campers love the nylon mesh hooded bug jacket that lets air in but keeps bugs out. It's easy on and easy off, the hood zips open, toggle ties at the wrist and bottom create a custom fit, and it's lightweight. The jacket is $19.50 through www.so lutionscatalog.com; (800) 342-9988.

Mosquito Dunks

Even small amounts of standing water are breeding grounds for larvae. Mosquito Dunks, the size of small bagels, are safe, biodegradable larvicides meant for any place — drains, old tires, birdbaths — where water collects. A package of six is $8.25 through www.marchbiological.com; (800) 328-9140.

Punk Sticks

They look like long, thin skewers, but each 10 1/2-inch punk stick, made of dried natural materials, is really a zealous mosquito repellent. Once stuck in the ground and lit, it burns with a woodsy scent that humans find appealing but flying insects find repulsive. A set of 600, a summer's supply, is $13.95 at the Vermont Country Store: www.vermontcountrystore.com; (802) 362-8470.

SonicWeb

A new device for up to an acre of land, the SonicWeb, which is about the size and weight of a large plastic bucket, promises to attract and kill mosquitoes by simulating a human being. It was effective when tested for three weeks in a 50-by-60-foot outdoor space. It contains an octenol scent strip that smells like a human and emits a gentle "heartbeat." Insects fly right into it and are trapped by sticky paper; each sheet lasts about one humid summer week. The SonicWeb, made by Applica, is $299.85 through www.fightthebite.com; (866) 766-4293.

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.