Best Insect Repellant

[Boscoforever]

We are heading to Spain in July (yay!), and need to stock up on stuff to stop the dreaded mosquito bites, etc.
Any recommendations? Thanks.

I use the extra strength jungle formula. Anything else just doesn't work enough but I react badly to bites.

Anything with DEET in, the only thing that vaguely works for me. I still get bitten and react horribly though.

The Boots one is good. I use the milder ones without DEET on my kids, they don't seem to attract hte fuckers like I do.

Insect repellents are so hit and miss.

if you read the small print. You’re not supposed to use anywhere near the quantity needed to protect yourself.

I get mine from here: www.lifesystems.co.uk/products/insect-repellents

they have sensitive skin formula too with no deet and able to be used on kids aged 2 and above

I used the afterbite stuff too the last time I traveled and it worked really well!

Oh, I’ve got a spray for the clothing too, and that’s incredible.

Off! Insect repellent spray is best I've ever used but it's stupidly expensive here.

Incognito works best for me

Anything with DEET. Jungle formula. Nothing else works

Incognito worked okay in Greece as long as you reapply it about every 2 hours so it's inconvenient and expensive

It is not...I repeat not... Avon Skin So Soft.

If you are a walking buffet for biting insects ignore all the woo suggestions. Like a few PP DH gets bitten if he doesn't cover every square inch of exposed skin with industrial strength insect repellent - usually Jungle Formula.

Wrist bands, Avon Skin So Soft, burning citronella candles, eating marmite and garlic just don't work.

@RampantIvy I did DEET and some woo on myself and a pot of woo on baby DD and she didn't get bitten and I got a few, I'm fairly sure she is just really unappealing 😂

Just read the research findings that insects have been found in tests to favour those with O type blood group…..if that helps anyone

Sorry, I don’t have the link though.

Anything with DEET and start taking antihistamines a week before you go and while you are out there.
I found the mosquito repellent wristband helped dc.

I'm O- and DH is A+. He gets bitten by everything and reacts very badly. Nothing bites me.

Garlic capsules, vitamin b1 for at least a few weeks before you go.
This has good reviews but is expensive -

https://victoriahealth.com/mrs-whites-unstung-hero-mosquito-repellent/?glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1tGUBhDXARIsAIJx01m4YCgipFGmzZXJfds4y6QlObp3Ta6lKKoKx37mww00Q1Cj0DkGTAaAmWKEALwwcB

Or the original scent skin so soft from Avon is known to help.

Those only work on people who are moderately attractive to biting insects though.

Hi, along with insect repellent I always use a lemon scented shower gel and also lemon body butter (from M&S) which helps so much 👍🏼

Hello, no experience with Spain but I'm in Milan where we have 7 types of mosquito, including the dreaded Tiger one and my bedroom is generally fully every night. and I get attacked the moment I go outdoors.

Most people here use Autan, the one in the yellow bottle is stronger, I've just started using Jungle Froula before I go to bed and seems to be working.

We also have the Raid plug in things in every room, but you must keep the windows open with them on.

As much as I love natural products, none of them work for me.

DH uses Autan as well.

Everything I’ve bought in the U.K. is not very effective

This is the most popular brand in NZ and it honestly works. I purchase over the internet and it’s cheap. Also smells nicer

www.repel.co.nz/

The mosquito bands for kids are completely untested and aren’t effective at all. Please don’t rely on these for your children!

skin so soft for mosquitoes is also complete bunkum

The antihistamine sounds interesting tho, as it might help the body reduce its reaction

I always get bitten, but have found Goibi to work for me - you can get it online in the UK and buy it in pharmacies in Spain.

I should have added we also used Deet but dc do a lot of swimming so we used bands in addition to that.
I agree I wouldn't use them as a standalone.

The antihistamine obviously doesn't stop you being bitten but I seem to have many fewer reactions when I'm taking it.
I have in the past needed medication from GP to deal with reactions.

Every biting insect on the planet has my number and I've tried everything going. The only thing that works is Smidge and it has changed my life. That stuff is a miracle.

Oh and it doesn't only work on midges, it keeps all biting insects away.

Expats in Spain swear by this. Available in Mercadona and other supermarkets.
It also smells lovely and you can squirt it on bedding.