Help! Need all your mosquito repealing tips!

[frenchbreadandbites]

I am currently on holiday in Provence. I'm not by the coast at all, but seem to be number one target for mosquitoes. There are five of us out here and I'm the only one being bitten. I spent a fortune at the pharmacy on special sprays and bracelets (none with deet) and this has done nothing. I'm still getting bitten all day and all night. My questions are

1. what makes me more appealing than everyone else? (Apparently body odour and bacteria on the skin can be an attraction, but I shower twice a day over here and am in the pool a lot)

1. What can you recommend to stop these pesky mozzies? I'd rather not use deer but if that's the only way then I may have to buy some deet spray.

Also realise the horrendous spelling of repelling in the title, but can’t seem to edit! I blame the mosquitos 😂

I’ll be in Greece in a few weeks’ time. I always get bitten badly when I go there so have been doing research. There are numerous studies that show that Deet is the only thing that’s 100% effective. Other things (Avon SSS) etc may act as repellents but still not as effective. I’m going to have to take the plunge, as much as I hate the smell/feel of Deet, the bites are far worse.

Long list you can 'work on'

As you've said, body odour and bacteria, sho showing helps.

They prefer dark colours.

High temperatures... if you're ill or naturally hotter/sweating, you'll get eaten more. You're less likely to be eaten in an AC hotel than with the same mosquitoes out on a hike.

Pregnant women have higher body temperatures.

Heavy breathers... they're attracted to CO2, so getting fitter can help reduce numbers.

Why are you avoiding deet? It’s the only thing that actually has been shown to work.

This is worth a listen. They review all of the options on the market. In conclusion, they’re all useless except for deet.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001np5v

Absolutely 100% agree deet is the only thing that works. We use one called Jungle something or other which you can get in a roll in if the spray smells too much

@C1N1C I read about the Carbod dioxide! I need to lose a stone and get back to the gym, after a two year hiatus but Jesus didn't know I was that unhealthy it would mean I'm being eaten alive! I even did fifty lengths in the pool yesterday and still got bitten! Haha

Only deet works well, other things offer maybe a small help at most.
And I always find they go for the hottest person, sometimes it's me, sometimes not, which is why I really believe body temperature is a big factor.

Sympathy, OP, I am also very attractive to mosquitoes.

I focus on trying to reduce the impact of being bitten, as my bites would swell and itch so badly I couldn't sleep. Now I take antihistamine tablets while I'm on holiday, even before I get bitten. I've bought one of those electric zappers for reducing itchiness of the bites too. Last holiday I was bitten but not uncomfortable which is about as good as it gets for me.

As I understand it and have experienced, some people just react more to the bites than others so the others are getting bitten but your body puts out more defenses so you get the welts. Try an antihistamine if that works with any medication you take. Also get a teaspoon and put it in boiling water, then let it cool a bit, apply it to the bites as hot as you can without burning yourself and it stops the itching.

Then drink a vat of G&T. You won't feel a thing.

While I was overweight, with a very sweet tooth I was always that person who was bitten a lot. DH as a smoker was never ever bitten.

I'm now 30kg down, DH has given up smoking and gets the odd bite. I still use the roll on jungle formula in the crease of my elbows and behind knees, round my neck, hairline and ankles. Avoid sugar, eat lots of garlic and cover up especially at dawn and dusk and hardly ever get bitten.

Seek out breezes as they thrive in very still conditions. Take antihistamine. Oh, and just don't visit Scotland in June, July and August. Sigh.