I think there are strange insects this year. This has happened to me and you are the 6th person I know who has started having this reaction this year.

Whatever bugs bit me at the beach -- and I had a TON of bites on my arms and legs -- the bites didn't totally go away for 3 weeks. That's not normal.

Count me in the gang of the bitten. K-Bug too. But not CJ. Which really confuses me. If something in the house is biting, why only the girls. Or if it isn't a bug, why not CJ?

Pix, I've started being allergic to bug bites recently, no rhyme or reason (it's particularly bad with the bastard mosquitos in Israel, but tiny UK gnats bother me a lot too now). Can you take antihistamines? They really help me.

smonster, I would play Words With Friends with you, but I'm really bad and it frustrates me! Do you happen to play Hanging With Friends? That's a timewaster I can get on board with (and often do).

My god, the work, the work. I've been attempting to write a thesis chapter since June. I don't expect to emerge properly until about the end of October. It's been a fun chapter to read for, though!

Edited for spelling. Always good to be reminded you can't spell while you're writing a thesis chapter.

I haven't had a problem up here, but they have been very bad in Florida for me this year. Repellent is my friend because I will tear apart the bites.

I'm sorry about the fiscal stuff, Pix, and the odd bug bites. Seems a bit like the universe piling on for you to have to deal with both.

We've had a lot of mosquitoes in my part of NC this summer, probably because we've had a lot of rain. I slather myself in neurotoxin-laden bug repellant, and they still form a cloud around me at times, like they're looking for a crack in the armor. I hope we get a good, hard freeze this winter to help reset the bug population a bit.

neurotoxin-laden bug repellant

I have read that there's evidence that catnip oil is as good a bug repellant as DEET. I have not dared to try it, because, cats. But if someone else would kindly slather herself in catnip oil and go for a walk in the buggy outdoors to test this for me, I'd be quite grateful.

The CDC now also recommends the repellants made from oil of lemon eucalyptus, which seem to work pretty well when I remember to put them on. I'm leery of DEET.

Lavender oil works well with Mosquitos, but I'm not sure about other bugs.

I am at the doctor's office. There is a great deal of confusion here over who I need to be seeing for which problems. Too many things to choose from apparently.

I have not had good luck with herbal repellents. Am with Calli on hoping for a good hard freeze. I can't tell you how often I think, "The insects are winning here."

Man, I love my boss, but he forgot to tell me that he and my two other coworkers will be working with us tomorrow. Hi, I need to know these things so I can plan for them! Also, it is going to be hella crowded all working in one room.

Hmmm. While my cat is kinda iffy on the whole catnip obsession thing, I'm not sure I want to test the effect of a whole-body slather on him.

Our local hippy co-op sells a nice herbal bug repellant that works in lighter years. This year the mosquitoes seemed to treat it as special sauce. I'm sticking with DEET for now.