How do I get rid of mosquitos and ticks?

[Kristofor]

Lol, I'm with you on that one!

Of course they make electric fly swatters too, so sometimes tech is just to sexy to pass up!

[Cheeky]

I just succumb to the Off/Cutter spray, and it never fails.

I switched my dog's defense system from Frontline Plus to K9 Advantix, after my vet recommended the switch. I live in Lymes disease central territory, and the Advantix is definitely superior. I never find ticks on my dog now. God knows what the chemicals do to his system, but it works.

[MilDoc]

Yeah, I love that Advantix, too.

[Alex Franke]

Is that stuff safe for kids? (Not the Advantix, but the spray repellent )

[jziegler]

I've never been sure if the insect repellent is good for anyone, let alone kids. Unfortunately, the herbal stuff doesn't seem to work very well. That's why I'm trying the biological control methods now.

Jim

[MilDoc]

Is that stuff safe for kids? (Not the Advantix, but the spray repellent )

Yeah, I wish Advantix was OK for kids!

DEET has been used for decades, and is the product recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control. From the AAP:

DEET is not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age.
DEET-containing products are the most effective mosquito repellents available. DEET also is effective as a repellent against a variety of other insects, including ticks. It should be used when there is a need to prevent insect-borne disease.
The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10% to over 30%. The efficacy of DEET plateaus at a concentration of 30%, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. The major difference in the efficacy of products relates to their duration of action. Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours. As the concentration of DEET increases, the duration of activity increases; for example, a concentration of about 24% has been shown to provide an average of 5 hours of protection.
The safety of DEET does not appear to relate to differences in these concentrations. A prudent approach would be to select the lowest concentration effective for the amount of time spent outdoors. It is generally agreed that DEET should not be applied more than once a day.
DEET should not be used in a product that combines the repellent with a sunscreen. Sunscreens often are applied repeatedly because they can be washed off. DEET is not water-soluble and will last up to 8 hours. Repeated application may increase the potential toxic effects of DEET.

• Apply DEET sparingly on exposed skin; do not use under clothing.
• Do not use DEET on the hands of young children; avoid applying to areas around the eyes and mouth.
• Do not use DEET over cuts, wounds or irritated skin. Wash treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors; wash treated clothing.
• Avoid spraying in enclosed areas; do not use DEET near food.
• Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy application and saturation generally are unnecessary for effectiveness.

I added the emphasis in bold/italic. No other product has been shown to effectively repel ticks - carriers of Lyme Disease, Spotted Fever, and others.

If you use sunscreen, apply DEET first, let dry, then apply sunscreen (and don't waste your money on anything over SPF 30).

The CDC recently also recommended 2 other insect repellents, but they have not been shown to repel ticks. If ticks are a problem, stick with DEET.

And, FYI, all the "herbal" based products are a total waste of money. Numerous studies show their effectiveness to be in minutes!