Can anyone recommend a brilliant mosquito repellent?

[ttalloo]

We're going on holiday next week to Northern Italy, where last year DS1 (5) and I were savaged by mosquitoes day and night, even though we covered ourselves in Jungle Formula. We both suffered allergic reactions to the bites (each one swelled to the size of a plum, so you can imagine what we looked and felt like) and I really want to avoid having the same problems again.

So I'd love to know what works for you, and also what you recommend for treating bites (Anthisan was woefully ineffective).

Many thanks.

Oil of citronella, mixed with a base oil put on skin is good, it's natural and available at holland and barrett. Citronella is the main component in most insect repellent creams and sprays. Jungle formula is unfortunately more useful in insects than plain simple mosquitoes.
Hope this helps.

I used this in Bali and only got one bite (normally get dozens). It's pretty toxic stuff though so maybe just for you rather than your son...

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005IG4S8Q/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?ref_=asc_df_B005IG4S8Q8978864&smid=A3NWYY2JPCKU3V&tag=shoppingmp10999-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B005IG4S8Q

Citronella isn't anything like as effective as Deet. OH is a bug magnet and also has severe reactions to insect bites. He was badly bitten at Lake Garda last year, but it was because he had forgotten to put repellent on his ankles.

He finds that if he misses so much as one square inch with repellent that is where he will get bitten. So the answer is to make sure you cover every bit of exposed skin with repellent and cover up with trousers and long sleeves in the evenings. Other tips - eat inside rather than outside in the evenings and get the Tropical version of Jungle Formula. We even managed a holiday to Corfu in September once without OH getting bitten.

OH takes Clemastine if he gets bitten and gets it on prescription. I don't know whether it is available over the counter. It does work though, but the downside is that you can't drink when taking it.

I heard that if you take a course of daily vitamin B12 (I think its 12? google it!) for a few weeks the mozzies leave you alone - they hate the smell.

I know you're off next week, but worth taking anyway? If you start today? Sorry, no time to research for you but have a look online if interested!

I've heard that Avon Skin So Soft spray is supposed to be good as an insect repellant. I read somewhere that Mel Gibson used it when filming somewhere.

I have heard that as well, but it doesn't work on me and OH isn't even prepared to try it because he can't risk being bitten.

I second Avon Skin so Soft. We go through bottles and bottles (camping a LOT).

It's brilliant.

This recommended to us for use in summertime midge-ridden Scotland!

We found mainly by accident that when we get bites that swell up giving a large pale lump, that the thing that works is one of those 'pierre d'alun' deoderant sticks. Someone told me, I didn't really believe them, but it worked a treat and the huge lump was gone within a day.

For mosquitoes I would second citronella oil. I've found it to be the most effective especially in the Caribbean.

Also make sure you keep the air conditioning on if you have it especially at night as the mosquitoes don't like it!

Hope you have a good time.

Garlic tablets. That really worked for me