What do you use for Mosquitos now? Going to Zanzibar and wondering what products you use?

[loveyouradvice]

I haven't been to a mosquito destination for ages. I'll be taking malaria tablets. What else do you use?

Any particular mosquito spray or cream? Even better bands to put round my wrists? And do those electric plug-ins work??

And after being bitten - what works for you?

Huge thanks

I got these and they are great.

Sleeping net and mosquito lotion is a must to pack with you.

DEET - tropical strength. That's the only thing that's actually effective IME.

The bracelets above do bugger all.... Citronella doesn't work on anything in any country I've found!

Also, pack some bite cream ie Anthisan and antihistamines to treat any bites.

Deet spray especially on wrists and ankles and always always before going out in the evening and sitting on the balcony during the early evening.

DEET. Don’t mess around with natural remedies when it comes to malaria.

Zanzibar has made a lot of progress with malaria but there was a big outbreak a couple of years ago so it is very much still a thing.

That said it will depend where you are on the island, and what time of year you go.

Have an amazing time. It’s one of my favourite places in the world ❤️

Edited - yes to the electric plug-ins. And choose a hotel with aircon in the rooms. Mossies don’t like aircon.

Anything with DEET. Agree that the Pestects are useless.

Agree with others, DEET is the only thing that works to prevent bites. And don’t forget to take Malarone in case you do get bitten by a malaria carrying mosquito. The best cream I have used for the itching after being bitten is called Mopiko. I think it’s Japanese?

Antihistamine tablets to stop the inevitable bites swelling and itching. Picaridin based DEET free repellent (Trek Sensitive). Sometimes nets if there are no screens on the windows. Have also had to resort to head nets in places.

DEET bracelets for wrists & ankles work for me.

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

A word of warning. Anti-malaria tablets are labelled "take with food". It should say immediately after food; taking on an empty stomach can make you vomit.

Which recommended insect repellent last year was Boots followed by Asda. I used Asda It worked a treat. Just checked on site and top with 92% was Boots followed by Asda extra strength at 91%. Boots is around £5 and Asda £4. Both suitable for tropical climates.

Jungle Formula max (I have sensitive skin and have reacted to other DEET sprays but I’m ok with this). I use the spray and the plug in for my room.

Amazon often have them half price on deals.

Approximately 3 weeks before I go anywhere where mosquitoes could be a problem, I start to take vitamin B, garlic capsules and antihistamines daily and continue through to end of the holiday.The vitamin B and garlic capsules help keep the mosquitoes away, and the antihistamines ensure that if one does make its way through, then the bite doesn’t become overly inflamed. Whilst away, I then use Avon Skin So Soft mixed into my Aftersun as I hate the chemicals in repellents.

Are you talking about malaria areas though? Avon cream etc is fine if you’re talking about annoying midgies, it’s not great advice for preventing a potentially deadly disease.

I say this as someone who has lost a number of friends and colleagues to malaria.

OP please use DEET. This isn’t the time for “chemicals are nasty”.

The strong DEET stuff (we used the Boots one when living in Africa.) Afterbite for the pain and itching. Long light clothes in the evenings and use air conditioning in the room if it's present. And don't forget that you will not be able to get prophylactics for dengue fever (unless you've already had it once) which is nasty and on the rise in many places.

@Alltheyellowbirds I'm sorry to hear that.

Oh just to add - I have bought After Bite that uses bicarb or something to neutralise the bite but when my friend came out to visit us from UK she brought After Bite made from ammonia, which stings like a bastard for a second but then completely gets rid of the itch, we went to the jungle and all got bit like crazy and I've never been so grateful for a gift 😁

@Alltheyellowbirds
This is what I’ve used in the Caribbean and South East Asia so these are areas that do have lots of mosquitoes. I get quite horrible allergic reactions to mosquito bites so do take extra care, as I haven’t enjoyed steroid injections and being on a drip. I don’t like the chemicals because I also get an allergic reaction to them as well.

If you don’t like allergic reactions or steroid injections then you wouldn’t much enjoy being on hospital with a serious case of malaria either. Strange logic.

Besides, OP is visiting Africa, which is a completely different beast malaria-wise than the Caribbean and SouthEast Asia. Not comparable.

Great shout re Dengue fever. As you say, no prophylaxis for that so avoiding bites is v important.

In addition to using DEET make sure you apply it well and don’t leave patches of skin unprotected.

I got all DEETed up in preparation to eat at a riverside table at the hotel where I was staying. I was wearing sandals that flicked off my heel when I crossed my legs and when I got back to the room I realised the soles of my feet - unprotected by DEET or shoes - were bitten to shreds, iirc I had more than a dozen bites on and around the soles of my feet. I didn’t even know mosquitoes could bite the soles!

Avon skin so soft is absolutely useless as an insect repellent despite the urban myth that surrounds it.

If you don’t want to use DEET then consider the picaridin based repellents. They are just as effective as DEET with the bonus that they don’t dissolve plastic.

Such great and helpful advice... I really appreciate everyone who's taken the time and trouble to answer... I will be going much better equipped. As PP said, africa is very different to se asia and that's where I've mainly travelled.

And I am so very very sorry to hear this @Alltheyellowbirds ... how very tough for you, and for them.

On a recent trip to Thailand I used the strongest Jungle Formula insect repellent. I normally get bitten a lot, even if the rest of the family don't.

I hardly had any bites at all. I bought the spray and the roll on.
After bite is brilliant for if you do get bitten. Takes the itch out!
Enjoy your holiday 😊

I bought these for Mexico and used them in conjunction with the spray. One day we were in a situation where we had to wash all spray off and despite keeping the bands on we got eaten alive and the mozzies don't usually target me!!!
Look nice though

great advice all - thank you