Advice needed on severe mosquito problem at Tuscany holiday rental

[ZanyOpalPoet]

Hello

I would really welcome some friendly guidance please. I’m currently on a family holiday in Tuscany with my husband and two DDs (under 10). It’s a beautiful place with a pool - with 99% of reviews 5*. However, we are being eaten alive by mosquitoes. We have been here about 36 hours and between us have 120+ bites. We have bought local mosquito spray from a pharmacy, have bracelets, itch cream. The place is an old building so no ac. We knew this when we booked it. It’s also been extreme heat weather the last couple of days - topping 40 degrees. The neighbouring buildings have nets at the window but the place we are staying at has nothing. The host is away so there was not an introduction or any hand over welcome. The only protection the host provided was these vape devices (like calpol plugin) which he told us the morning after the first night. He said we need to plug in and buy the refills from the supermarket. Today after squishing two mosquitoes full of blood in a space of minutes after waking up after sleeping for about 2 hours the whole night- I messaged the host. He advised us to go and get a mosquito net from this ‘China store’ as it’s a national holiday here in Italy and everything closes. He only offered to pay when I said I wasn’t happy having to pay to so my family can be protected from mosquitoes. I have complained to the intermediary organisation I booked it through and at first after providing evidence they said they would connect me to an advisor who then contacted the host. The host has advised to put these vape machines on, open the windows to air the house and it should all be ok. We have said tonight we will try but within minutes misquitoes have flown in. We have also sat in darkness the last two nights. The intermediary company have said because the host has offered these vape devices he doesn’t have to honour a refund. I’ve paid a lot nearly £2k for a week as it is a special birthday. I don’t know what to do. If I was in England I would leave and go home but the flights are 1000 euros+ to get back to the UK. I am so upset. Can anyone offer advice please?

Can you get some citronella?

Keep all the doors and windows shut, and try to get more of the plug ins. You need one per room at the very least, they're only effective for small areas. We've always taken them with us when going abroad as I'm prone to cellulitis from bites.

Citronella candles are also good for outside spaces.

We tried citronella candles. We have bracelets too. Mosquito spray for our bodies and the room. Vape plug ins. We’ve closed all the windows but it is like being in a sauna with mosquitoes. The host told us to open the windows - which is just ridiculous.
Just saying this makes me so sad. I’m at a loss what to do.

I have skeeter syndrome (genuine mosquito allergy) and so I always take flucloxacillin with me abroad just in case.

I use hydrocortisone 1% and anthisan alternately on bites.

Have you got deet sprays?

As an aside, why on earth did you book a place in Italy, in the height of summer, knowing you won’t have air conditioning?

You need screens/nets to cover any open windows/doors. If it will salvage the holiday, don’t stand on principle, just go buy them.

Are you able to get long pyjamas or a nightie for sleeping to keep you all covered? Windows shut, get squashing and all sleep under a net if you're able.

I can deal with the heat just not the mosquitoes. I have travelled to lots of countries. I have hydrocortisone with me.
We have purchased nets for the beds and they’re up.

Is the spray DEET?

Deet for your bodies. Light coloured clothing covering as much skin as possible. Big fans in the rooms. Mosquitoes are very poor fliers. Fly spray, sprayed liberally.

I get bitten to death and the bites swell up, so I feel your pain.

It's not the hosts fault there are mosquitos in Italy in August. It can't be avoided. You just need to protect yourself. You say you've been abroad before but it doesn't sound like it

I get bitten in my own garden in Cornwall. I've been bitten all over the world.

Mosquitoes are a known problem over there it's not the fault of the host

Get nets for windows ASAP. Before then, all windows/doors shut and go on a mosquito hunt in the home. Try and get every last bastard, then be rigid about keeping the space sterile.

I'd go to a pharmacy and see if they have anything better than 1% hydrocortisone. I have a device that heats the bite for 20 seconds which really helps, it denatures the protein in the mosquito saliva which stops the itch (or something like that).

DEET spray for laying by the pool.

Good luck

You’ve gone to Italy when it’s Ferragosto, things are often more difficult as so many people take the week off around it.

Take anti histamines every night, at least they won't itch as much.

Most things have already been mentioned but as someone who is allergic, I would add a couple of tips:-

Take antihistamines and hope they don't make you feel lousy.

Use lemon scented shower gel - Original Source lemon and teatree if you can find it.

Cover yourself in after sun once you've showered all the days sun cream off. Then apply deet liberally.

Keep damp face cloths in the freezer ideally or fridge and use to take the heat out of the bites.

My in-laws used to swear by eating extra strong mints as the don't like the smell of them on your breath. Maybe worth a try but I can't stand the furry feeling teeth afterwards!

You need to heat the bites, as PP said it breaks the protein in the bite down, this is what your immune system reacts to. If you don't have a zapper, you can get the same effect by putting a teaspoon into a mug of very hot water and once it has heated, place the bowl of the spoon on the bite for a few seconds.

For future use, get one of these - https://www.beurer.com/global/p/60617/

Sorry OP 😢

No advice but this was our experience when we went to Tuscany too. It’s nobody’s fault but I wish I had known before I went

What spray are you using, I find Jungle formula maximum the best.

The bug zapper posted above is hands down the best purchase I have ever ever made. It's amazing.

No a/c in Italy in August even in a normal year is always going to be a problem as you have to open windows and the bugs get in.

I know you’re upset but it’s not the owner’s fault. It’s a natural event like the weather and it happens to be severe.

OP just wanted to say I feel your pain, that sounds absolutely miserable. IME anti-histamines do help with the swelling and itching. The pharmacy may also have some stronger cream.

I take 3 loratadine one a day allergy tablets (unofficial advice from an pharmacist) and use a local mosquito bite ointment which are a lot stronger than uk allowed ones.

Lemon shower gel and strong deet mosquito spray. Marmite is supposed to put them off, as is garlic.

Oh you poor thing - any time I’ve been in Italy I have been literally eaten alive . It’s a shame that There is no aircon as I understand totally that you have to open the windows. Just net off the window and spend an hour literally killing every single mosquito you can find . Get the room sprays that shoot up to the ceiling . Italy seems to be the worst for mozzies . Was there in June and got savaged, but just back from france and not a a single bite . It’s v strange . .

Oh and yes to antihistamines and hydro cortisone cream

If you can get a hold of some garlic tablets take those. You might be able to swallow whole garlic if you can’t get the tablets but I’m not 100% sure. It does help repel them. Unfortunately, you will also smell like garlic but I think it’s better than being bitten.