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?

Citronella candles

Mosquito nets (when I lived in Australia it was standard to sleep under a mosquito net, if your windows weren't screened)

But heat + standing water (swimming pool) you'll get mosquitos. Light long sleeved clothes help. Calamine lotion can help, but basically, it's what you get in a hot climate with standing water.

I also have skeeter syndrome and this year used Odomos cream on the recommendation of a friend who travels for work a lot and had picked some up somewhere far flung once. I absolutely lathered myself in it and then also Deet as well on ankles and legs where they always get me no matter what I use.

Success this year! Lots of mosquitos around and lots of others covered in bites but I escaped with only one bite (got complacent at the end of the holiday) in a reasonably hidden place so for once I didn't spend half the holiday looking like I had bubonic plague - I get huge grape sized pus filled blisters and red rings/bruising that takes around 10 days weeks to fade.

Highly recommend the Odomos cream and will not be travelling without it in future. We used 2 x 100g tubes between 4 of us for a week.