France: Anti-Moustique Electrique?
 

When i vist relatives in France they often have an 'anti-moustique electrique' that goes into an electric socket and is supposed to ward away mosquitoes away - there is some little thing you put in that the electricity sends throughout the room.

I have never seen these things in the U.S. How come

Do they really work against serious skeeter problems?

What is the 'pastille' they put in the thing made of?

merci

American homes generally rely on screened windows to prevent mosquitos and other insects from entering. A very sensible approach IMO, as it requires the use of neither electricity nor chemicals.

A little more searching around for what chemical (if any---some of these products are describes as "chemical free") might be contained in the plaquettes turns up Esbiothrine (EBT) as at least one option. This material is also availabe in the form of mosquito coils (the sort that you light and leave on your deck during a party).

The electric devices work fairly well in Europe. Screened windows are certainly more effective, but are rarely used in Europe, because usually the mosquitoes are not that frequent. (Europeans like to spend the nights outside on the terrace or balcony, and there is no protection at all.)

check out

http://www.riddexplus.net/

European "air conditioning" consists of opening the windows, which also minimises the use of electricity.

We have also used the "anti-moustique electrique" in France, but in our experience the little buggers will somehow get you if they want to.

The ones we use here in the Netherlands use citronella, and seem to work provided the room isn't too big. I have on in my bedroom. Combined with an overhead fan (my airco!) I only get nibbled occasionally as opposed to eaten alive without it. Mozzies don't like moving air which is why the fan helps when it is warm, which it isn't right now :(
Outside we burn citronella candles.