What can I use to repel mosquito's in Spain.

[Tiredallthetimeneedsleep]

Off on holiday in a few weeks. I ALWAYS get badly bitten, despite wearing trousers / long sleeves/ wearing mosquito repellent wrist bands and using sprays etc. If there is one bloody mosquito I swear it will find me. My legs in particular are a mess with bites every single time. So, I challenge you lovely lot to find me something that's going to put the buggers off!

I subscribe to Which? and there is an interesting article about insect repellants. It is more important than ever to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes as mosquito varieties that carry diseases such as zika and dengue are becoming established in some areas of Europe.

Dengue fever can currently be found in Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Madeira.

Research shows you should use a repellent containing one (or more) of the four active ingredients that are scientifically proven to repel mosquitos: DEET, IR3535, icaridin or PMD (although IR3535 products should only be used in non-malaria areas).

All the Which? best buy mosquito repellants contain deet. These are the repellants that they recommend (in order):

Boots* *Repel Maximum DEET & PMD - contains 50% deet and 1% PMD
Asda Extra Strength Insect Repellent - contains 50% deet and 1% PMD
Superdrug Buzz Off Extra Strength Insect Repellent - contains 50% deet and 1% PMD
Jungle Formula Maximum - contains 50% deet and 1% PMD
Forclaz Decathlon Spray répulsif - conains Eucalyptus citriodora oil 10%

In the same article it lists insect repellants to steer clear of:

• Herbal extract bracelets. These typically contain strong-smelling oils such as citronella, lavender and peppermint, but they aren't supported by the science. When tested for their ability to deter mosquitos, bracelets containing herbal extracts made little difference. Don't rely on DEET bands or bracelets either, as these can only offer localised protection.
• Sonic mosquito repellers. These claim to drive mosquitoes away with high-frequency sound but, again, studies show that they don't work.
• Citronella. This is a popular choice but research shows that citronella's volatility means its repelling properties only last for a short time and there is insufficient information for it to be seen as a reliable repellent.

Avon's Skin So Soft Original Dry Oil Spray (£6.50 for 250ml at Avon) is another one that has made headlines in the past for its purported insect repelling abilities. It contains citronella, but it's not classed or proven as an insect repellent, and other ingredients have more solid science behind their protective abilities.

I have lifted most of this from the article.

DEET

I go to southern Europe a lot and get bitten a lot but even though this is natural (citronella) it works a charm for me. I carry one with me and have one in the accommodation and top it up every few hours if necessary and it works so well.

https://www.boots.com/boots-repel-kids-pmd-pump-spray-100ml

This stuff is brilliant, I'm normally ravaged and I got 1 bite in Greece. And that was staying in a room metres from the sea and whilst heavily pregnant (e.g. increased blood volume). Natural too and they to soap and moisturiser

Another fan of Incognito. Works for me. I am the mozzie magnet in our family and have Skeeter syndrome. It also works for eg: ticks and midges

Deet is the only thing that works for me - & recommended by every tour guide I've ever met.

I use Deet bands on wrists & ankles & never get bitten.

Buy a night-time plug-in (some hotels even provide them). About €7 from a tourist supplies mini-supermarket or €3 from Lidl. The bottle lasts for 45 nights, so leave it for the chambermaid or next guest when you leave. These are really effective at keeping mozzies away (or dead? not sure) so you don't get buzzed in the ear at 3am, or of course bitten. The Lidl ones also have quite a good night light built in, which might be nice for DCs.

Diluted mouth wash in a spray bottle. Works a treat .

More seriously we have had a lot of success with mixing lemongrass and lavender essential oils in a xarriervoil(eg almond) and massaging all over.

Smidge works for me.

Avon Skin so soft oil spray

Don’t wear long sleeves/trousers
they will find their way in and get trapped and bite you more. It’s also really not ideal in the summer heat.
When I lived in Spain I had a plug in for inside and a green spray from Mercadona supermarket

I recently holidayed in Italy. Last year got loads of bites this year not a single one!
I used the following: Smidge, Avon Sun so soft, garlic capsules taken a week before and through the holiday.
So not sure which of them worked!
Tried the bands the year before but still got bit.

In addition to whatever repellent you use, having a fan on at night seems to deter them somewhat

Mrs whites unstung hero spray

victoriahealth.com/mrs-whites-unstung-hero-mosquito-repellent/

Expensive but has rave reviews.

Also start taking garlic capsules and vitamin b capsules.

I get bitten dreadfully, someone here recommended Mrs Whites and it's been life changing!

A friend swears by marmite. She’ll eat it (on toast or whatever, just normally) for a few weeks before she goes then she’ll take a small jar with her and have some everyday.

And quinine (in tonic water) is an old one, but I’m not sure what brand or how much.

My recommendation is Cold Pressed Neem oil. I just add it to my after-sun lotion, give it a shake and slap it on.
There's lots of information on the internet and it has many uses. It's just wonderful stuff.

I live in a very mosquito-y area of Sweden, and the mossies are getting worse with time, so I looked into DEET alternatives this year, as we’re gonna need to have protection more or less any time we’re outside haha. I was sceptical about the Avon Skin So Soft thing, as I thought it was an urban myth, but there is research showing it is extremely effective. Not quite as good as DEET, but comparable for everyday type use. So I bought some and it is indeed really good. I still use DEET if we’re going to be spending a long time in the forest or by the lake but for day to day use it’s certainly worked to keep them at bay.

I also get eaten alive
My rules are:
No perfume/body spray/scented lotions/hairspray/any hair product with a sent what so ever.
Boots after sun that has insect repelent in it
Deet
Bands

I always use smidge. I do also have the bands that a pp posted, the pestects ones but I've only ever used them plus the smidge. Smidge alone has worked. I am allergic to mosquitos so have to be careful and when using that haven't been bitten.

Deet spray, bands on wrists and ankles, bamds topped up with more deet overnight in a bag.

Worked for me and I'm normally Sunday dinner and all the trimmings to those bastards.

I used to sell Avon back in the day when people first recommended the Skin so Soft body oil and it used to work. I think over the years they changed the ingredients so even though it's still recommended by people it doesn't work as well.

I have used the pestects bracelets as I am normally an outdoor feast for mosquitoes and have varying results. I did get bitten last year whilst wearing two but I didn't get bitten as badly as not wearing them.

I now use an insect repellant spray which does seem to be working. I hadn't thought about spraying my clothes but that's a good idea.

Many repellents (such as Autan) more use picaridin as the active ingredient instead of DEET. There is a lot of conspiracy rubbish talked about DEET, but it is undeniably horrible to use, whereas picaridin is non-oily and doesn't melt plastic.