How do you avoid those darn mosquitos?

gypo

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Morning all,
We are heading to France in the next couple of weeks for a while.
Over the years I’ve tried various things to avoid getting bitten, none have been totally successful.
I don’t want to use deet (nasty stuff)
I’ve tried vitamin b12 (iirc) citronella based products, white vinegar, skin so soft from avon and those curly things you light outside that burn for hours.
We also have one of those zapit things for when you have been bitten.
Does anyone have any tried and tested tips please?
Thanks
D
 
Sorry got nothing to offer, we tried so many different things when we were in Italy one summer and nothing seemed to stop us getting bitten.
 
Hi Gypo,

I worked in Monaco (but stayed in Antibes ) in June and have been touring Europe for the last few weeks, having spent years in and out of France I had an issue in June with mezzies for the first time ever (been staying in the same place twice/3 times a year for over 15year/s) ended up in a pharmacy as one leg was so bad with bites, they sold me 2 products.

to prevent bites Anti-moustiques corporel, to deal with bites spike lavender (see photo) both work very well, there is a more expensive version of the repulsive but the pharmacist told me not to waste the money.

you can get both in Carrefour in Calais.

make sure you use the preventative as Spike Lavender stinks. I was told to put the spike lavender on the bites when they itched, worked, but last week I met a lady in Belguim who puts it in her coffee each morning and says it stops her getting bites, not sure I’d do that myself.
She was from Northumberland mind.

IMG_0326.jpeg
 
Cactus spray for the blighters, looks like the same pump spray bottle as above in Boris 7 post.
 
thanks Boris.
I also had a time one year where I had to go to the pharmacy do to the bite becoming infected!
Ill look out for the both of these when we get there. not sure about the coffee bit but id try it if it stopped the little feckers biting me :)
edit. just noticed that the spray has deet in it
 
Although mozzies don't bother me (gnats and midges do) my wife only has to hear one and she reacts coming out with huge swelling bites.

Of late though on recommendation of our doctor she takes anti histamine tablets for a week before hand and for the duration of any stay in a mozzie area. It seems to work.
 
Does it prevent bites or just reduce the symptoms once bitten?
 
gypo said:
Morning all,
We are heading to France in the next couple of weeks for a while.
Over the years I’ve tried various things to avoid getting bitten, none have been totally successful.
I don’t want to use deet (nasty stuff)
I’ve tried vitamin b12 (iirc) citronella based products, white vinegar, skin so soft from avon and those curly things you light outside that burn for hours.
We also have one of those zapit things for when you have been bitten.
Does anyone have any tried and tested tips please?
Thanks
D
Click to expand...
Been using this for over 20 years brought a load of it in Italy, The main thing is to keep your self clean wash armpits and around the ankles where you sweat, I used to park by the paddy fields at Carisio never got a bite when using it
 

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Some folks are just born to be bitten (Me)

I've tried EVERYTHING and nothing stops them munching me ...
My other half doesn't get bothered even when not having applied all sorts of potions I carry .

I just avoid visiting areas where and when they are bad ,
I simply cannot be bothered with the aggro .
 
I would suggest you listen to this recent radio programme. It deals with prevention and treatment of bites. The experts are quite knowledgeable to the extent of advising wether to apply sunblock before or after a mosquito treatment. Also what works after bites. They name an effective non deet treatment as well.

www.bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio 4 - Sliced Bread, Mosquito Repellents

Are mosquito repellents 'the best thing since sliced bread'? Which ones really work?
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

Davy
 
gypo said:
Morning all,
We are heading to France in the next couple of weeks for a while.
Over the years I’ve tried various things to avoid getting bitten, none have been totally successful.
I don’t want to use deet (nasty stuff)
I’ve tried vitamin b12 (iirc) citronella based products, white vinegar, skin so soft from avon and those curly things you light outside that burn for hours.
We also have one of those zapit things for when you have been bitten.
Does anyone have any tried and tested tips please?
Thanks
D
Click to expand...
Vit B1 worked for me ,,bog myrtle ,lavender.. happy holiday
 
Look at purpleturtle.co.uk this is their specialist area. They will provide advice and supply all you need for any trips worldwide. I've found them very knowledgeable and helpful.
 
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