Mosquito bite prevention

[Babycatsmummy]

Hello!

I'm due to go away next month and I always get mauled by mosquitoes. I’ve tried the citronella spray, patches, and jungle related products but nothing helps.

are there any specific tablets or drops I can take that change the taste of your blood or the smell of your hormones ( I’ve read various articles about mosquitoes being attracted to hormones) to keep them away from me?

any advice would be greatly appreciated, I ended up with several nasty infected bites last year on my feet and I couldn’t even put my sandals on 🥺

Avon Skin So Soft as used by Canadian lumberjacks.

Insect repellent spray containing DEET and clothes sprayed with permethrin. I only did the latter when going to an area where mosquitos carried Dengue though.

I suffer badly so always follow these threads and read recently that it's the oil they can't penetrate rather than the scent of this putting them off, so I think that's where I went wrong when I tried and failed with it. I was doing suncream then insect spray then skin so soft sprayed over me and my clothes for the scent, but not liberally. I think it would be best to spray it on your hands and rub it on every part of exposed skin liberally if it’s the oil covering that's key.

Eat lots of garlic. I never get bitten.

It doesn't always work, especially for midge magnets.
Products containing deet are usually the most effective.

Eating garlic or marmite or doing other woo activities only works for people who don't really attract biting flying insects.

Avon Skin So Soft has been tested as a mosquito repellent and found to be useless - reports in a number of medical journals. And Avon itself emphasises that it is not an effective insect repellent.

Which? has tested products this year and published details of the best.

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/insect-repellents/article/best-mosquito-repellents-amqpf6I6gklR

Garlic capsules and vitamin b. Start taking now. I usually get eaten alive and got bitten three times in two weeks in Greece after taking these.
also, Mrs white’s unstung hero spray is meant to be very good.

https://victoriahealth.com/mrs-whites-unstung-hero-mosquito-repellent/?glCountry=GB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17191341056&gbraid=0AAAAAoVcxhRDhrJynAZ8tizZMhN67B8c5&gclid=CjwKCAjw1dLDBhBoEiwAQNRiQaR17QvDFA4blFmyhYvVxUQTEHMeJyhP52nlVbAqYIWSGZaRVC6ExRoCiFwQAvD_BwE
I recommended it on here before and a few people came back to say how good it is.

Jungle formula roll on, plug-ins in the hotel room, and Piriton for when you inevitably miss a bit on your ankle.

The best bite cream I've found is a gel called Fenistil, active ingredient is dimetindene maleate. Very cooling and soothes the itch straight away.

Deet is the best. I use the bracelets on wrists & ankles & don't get bitten.

Pyramid Mosi-Off Insect Repellent Bands - 4X Mosquito Repellent Bracelet with Dry DEET Formula - Up to 100 Hours of Protection Against Flying & Biting Insects - Easy to Wear and Adjust : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

More woo.

@RampantIvy- in your opinion.

I agree with @oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriendsthat DEET is best but the OP has said she’s still getting bitten.

Do you use odourless garlic capsules?

@twilightcafe- no. But I’ve never had a problem with garlic breath either.

And that of scientists.
From Which?

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).

Also

Whether it's repellent patches, B vitamins or even being told to eat yeast extract or garlic to keep bugs away, there are plenty of myths about what can protect you from mosquitos and other biting bugs, as well as unusual product solutions for those who don't like applying repellent on their skin.

If they work for you that's fine, but there is no scientific evidence to back that up.

I’m not a Canadian lumberjack but I do live in Maine and this is most people’s approach here.

Picardin is my go to. Deet is also good but not as pleasant on your skin.

Cover up in the evenings.

Accept that you’ll still get a few bites.

That’s it.

Avon didn't work for me, i got bitten more when using it, i used those rubber mozzie bracelets that worked a treat

This summer I've got deet spray, plug ins for the villa bedroom kitchen and sitting room and bought a packet of pestects bracelets.
Also taking antihistamine cream, an electric clicker and anti histamines!

In Australia where mosquitos can be as big as aeroplanes, Aerogard is an outdoors must and the only thing that works, A quick spray all over last 4 hours - similar to sunscreen SPF 50.

I think you can get Aerogard in the UK in some places. If not, look for a similar product with the same ingredients.

mossies absolutely love me, it’s ruined holidays for me before now.
I use the max strength 50% deet spray all over. Boots own brand was good but I’m not sure they still do it. I now by Jungle Formula Tropical Strength.
I have tried garlic capsules and B12 capsules which did nothing.

I also cover up at the worst time of day (towards sunset) or if I'm near a lake, stagnant water etc. I’m the one with shoes and trousers tucked into my socks when everyone ends is in shorts 🙁

re Avon Skin So Soft: apparently the old formula worked but they changed it. I’m pretty sceptical about even the old one working as it’s not an insect repellent. But even if it did, it certainly won’t anymore.

Decathlon do good light weight summer trousers.

Then tuck them into your socks.

I’m the one with shoes and trousers tucked into my socks when everyone ends is in shorts 🙁

Gosh, didn't realise my best friend posted on here 😀

But yes, you are right, for the unlucky few who are ultramagnets covering everything is the only way and that's what my best friend does. She still uses all the jungle strnegth repellents too. And usually still gets a bite or two!

Ebay UK sells Aerogard in case you want to give it a go. The stuff really works.

i.ebayimg.com/images/g/OMIAAOSwpGJmUVKB/s-l1600.webp

Start antihistamines 1 week before you go on holiday and keep taking them until you get home.

Use lemon/tea tree scented shower gel on holiday.

Always use moisturiser/after sun after your evening shower as a skin barrier.

Cover yourself in DEET/Jungle formula before heading out.

If you are sitting outside, discretely spray DEET under the table and chair as they'll hang out in the dark bits and eat your feet.

Have a few wet face cloths in the fridge/freezer ready for any bites.

I’m a mosquito magnet too. Best thing I’ve found is Alfresco lotion. You can also get it as a cologne.
You use it like body lotion. It smells wonderful, makes your skin really soft and works. I can even use it on my face and the crown of my head (I used to get bitten a lot on my scalp).
I hate DEET, can’t bear the smell and it feels uncomfortable on my skin. I’ve been using Alfresco for years now.