Mosquito repellant?

I've never heard of dryer sheets, so can't say.

Avon skin so soft has been touted. I tried it once and it may have worked but I felt like I was going to throw up from the smell of the skin so soft.

Your best bet is to get a small (less than 3 oz.) bottle of something with a high percentage of DEET such as Deep Woods Off. DEET definitely works and you can use it sparingly when you need it.

I got an email today that Listerine repels them! The email said to spray it around the area (deck, chairs, etc.) and they disappear. I haven't tried it yet, but .... it's a lot cheaper than bug spray, and more pleasant, too.

I have heard that urban legend as well.

Personally, I don't think anything really works except for DEET based repellents. A lot of the other repellents options (skin so soft, etc.) I think work based off the placebo effect. You have a more positive experience with a non-greasy, non-DEET based product so you remember it more when there are less mosquitoes for other reasons.

There is a scientific answer to this, and sadly the more fun solutions are disproved by science. But if placebos work to take your mind off bugs, use them. A few bites won't kill you.

DEET, or an expensive carbon dioxide repellent (canister shooting out CO2)are the answers.

I stand corrected on the Listerine, though it sounds like an ideal solution (pardon the pun).

Shirl: I have three suggestions: (1) as a gardener, mosquitos are always a bother to me. I have used the Bounce dryer sheets tucked around my shirt neckline and it works pretty well. I don't think one sheet tucked into a pocket would be very effective.
(2) I also use Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellent for travel. I have a one ounce bottle that came in a little assortment of Burt's Bees products. This works. (3) Yesterday there was a newpaper coupon for a new product by makers of Off. It is a little device that you clip on a pocket.

I usually use Burt Bee's also. Works well for me. Although when I travel I use OFF wipes. There is no issue with traveling with those. We only use carry-on luggage and there is never an issue with the wipes through security.

Does anyone know if you can buy repellant with DEET in France? We aren't sure if we are going into the area in the Camargue where they are bad so don't want to bring it with us.