Mosquito repellent - Is DEET the only thing that works?

[NutellaOnButteryToast]

Hello,

So they LOVE me. Especially my feet and ankles and that's, of course, where I get the worst reaction

Really bad swelling and the itching is unbearable. I might as well not bother going to bed, as it's just relentless.

Anyway, just had first bite of the year, although this time luckily it was only on my hand, so only a little bit itchy, but it got me panicking about what's to come.

DEET - OFF on my feet and ankles and sprayed on socks on top of that is the only thing that works, but I hate using it, because I know how controversial DEET is. Toxic stuff. Plus, I would rather not have to sit there with thick socks on, whilst sitting outside on a warm evening tbh!

TIA

It is the only thing that works for me and I don't just spray it on my ankles.

I also take anti histamines all summer, firstly for hayfever but also to lessen the reaction of the inevitable bites.

Should say, Avon skin so soft doesn't work, neither does citronella candles.

Yes, unfortunately

I get that skeeter syndrome if I'm bitten. I use a mixture of deet and the smidge spray. I also sit in a ring of citronella. Candles, an oil burner, and literally put drops around me.

But the thing that has made the biggest difference is taking fexofenadine for my hay-fever. I suffered so terribly and its been life changing. It also has the effect that if I am bitten, I don't react to the bites. At all. Its amazing.

If I am bitten, I immediately out afterbite pen on and the hot teaspoon thing. 4 years ago, I couldn't dream of sitting outside in a day like today, because of the hay-fever and the bite risk. Honestly, it's changed my life. Get onto your gp!

Oh and I also bought a tennis racket bug zapper thing. Not cheap to get a decent one, but that's never more than a foot away from me. I love it.

Yes for me. I have some that I bought over 30 years ago - so I dont use a lot!!

I’ve used a non Deet one for ages. It’s the best I’ve found. I was the only person walking through a S American rainforest that didn’t get munched. I was a bit skeptical at first as I found them at the BBC Food and Gardenshow but I’m a total convert. They do a moisturiser and deodorant in the range too. (I don’t work for them btw, just really like their stuff and wish if found them earlier as munch things lurve me)

Believe me as an ex Canadian resident, ex Californian resident and Now NZ resident who mozzies afore I've tried everything. I'd love to go natural and I've tried everything but it doesn't touch the sides.

The first defence is decent clothes put on before the witching hour of dusk when they are most active. Ankle long leggings or linen trousers. Arms covered. The strongest DEET available is my go to for any exposed skin. Quick spray around feet and ankles then use back of hands to pick up excess and rub around neck and and up forearms. I use a natural citronella one to dab on face. 3 joss sticks on the go when sitting outside.
Barely a bite over summer using this method. I wish I could say anything but DEET works but it doesn't!

Actually Incognito repellant worked better than most for UK and Europe but needs reapplication every hour or so. I'm happy with just a quick dose of DEET

I’m allergic to DEET so I use a picaridin based insect repellent. It’s recommended by the WHO and the CDC as a DEET alternative.

Boop what's the one you use?
My dad gets bitten and reacts very badly, he could do with something that works well.
I've used these www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072XVPZMD/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_HUqXEb3543VND?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 on our holidays and they've been really good.

Johsnsons OFF! works well

yes. DEET interferes with how the mosquito senses you. Nothing else does.

citronella works for about 30 seconds. Overpriced bracelets do nothing except earn money for someone.

Thanks for all the replies.

It seems like for those who are particularly tasty to the mozzies, nothing works like DEET

Is it actually safe though? I really worry about it, even though I only use it on my feet and ankles, as I can cope with bites elsewhere, I still worry about my body absorbing such a toxic chemical.

Johsnsons OFF! works well

We swear by this too, and I live in Maine where the state bird is the mosquito

Used to get bitten loads in Malaysia with DEET. Now use a combination of Mosiguard and the ankle/wrist bracelets on all 4 limbs (sometimes the ones above, sometimes the stretchy plastic ones). Works for me if religious about it. Doesn't work if I leave it off and then I get bitten in seconds.

@pinkrocker it’s these ones. www.lessmosquito.com/ To be fair someone up thread mentioned reapplying it and I was doing that loads. Nevertheless, it was going through a bit that was so dense they were in our mouths that convinced me!