How do mosquito repellents work?

Do sonic mosquito repellents work?

• As in the kind of devices that emits a sound that is supposed to repel mosquitoes.

• Answer:

  A2A While traveling through South Asia and Southeast Asia, I can tell you that I learned one thing about mosquitos - you can't beat them 100% unless you stay INSIDE a bug tent or some kind of big net with VERY small holes and NO openings. The most effective way to trick a mosquito is for it to think you're not there. They detect body heat and will go for the warmest available body. Luckily, I slept next to my boyfriend and he is MUCH warmer than me. They loved him. The first night we arrived in India, he had a DDT covered sheet that he completely wrapped himself in. Seriously, even his head was inside. They only thing visible was his hand sticking out the top, holding it closed. I thought that thing was a death trap and I had my fair share of bites the last time I was in China. I knew they were more or less unavoidable so I just got in my normal pajamas, got in bed and knocked out. Guess who got bit? Yep, right on his little hand. After that, he stopped using his blanket wrap. The only time we ever used another toxic repellent was when we slept in an open air house in the jungle in Sri Lanka and when we were on an island with sand fleas in the Maldives. We hopped in the bug tent and didn't come out til morning. The mosquitos, in both cases, we the least of our worries. Do I think the sonic thing is going to help you? No, I've never ever seen someone buy one. Coils are minimally effective while they're burning but they also choke you out - not my favorite. I've seen a scent emitting device similar to the sound device you showed. I don't think it worked either, but lots of people use those. My boyfriend bought one too. The effects were probably similar to that of a mosquito coil - possibly just makes people feel better. We finally bought a bug zapper for the inside of our house since the ducting in many apartments in China is connected. Even if we kept the doors and windows shut, they would come in through other people's apartments and fly right through to ours. If you can, keep the doors and windows shut at all times, buy an indoor bug zapper, and sleep next to someone warmer than you. Like said, dont spend your money on gimmicks, especially when it prevents you from employing techniques that have at least SOME proven efficacy. Good luck!