Urgh! Mossies! Take something with you!

[shellyb]

My mum gave me the sss dry oil spray but its the pink label and not green. Is this no good for mozzies.

[juju]

As far as I know its only the blue/green one that works.Sorry!

[Tim Tighe]

Use creams which have sandalwood in them it is this ingredient that mozzies dislike

[Mrs Jones]

Mumm i have the pink sss aswell, i only put it in my case tonight, best take it out if its the wrong one lol dont know what to use now after reading all this

[sunlover loch lomond]

I came back last night and as some have said there were no mossies about until about 3 days ago when the temperatures rose and they are out now. The motors are going around spraying but I still got bitten. I put on SSS on the last night and no more bites. I suppose I was lulled into thinking they were not about this year but I suppose the rain must have kept them at bay.

[Mrs Jones]

oh please tell me it is warm over there, u didnt have rain did u?????

[sarahh]

I have always used superdrug aftersun with insect repelent plus plug ins in the room and haven't been bitten yet in 3 years!! (hate saying that cos will get bitten now!!

[Mrs Jones]

Well i have just been out shopping and got some more wrist bands for my Daughter, some of those wipes, some Lemon and tee tree body was and we have got plug ins for the room. So with a bit of luck we will be ok lol

[White Heather]

I have just returned from Ichmeler, I was attacked by mossies, always take Vit B & Garlic caps before I go, forgot this year!!!

[harry3534]

Here's a list of common myths about repelling mossies. This particular one is from the Canadian governments health ministry, but it is the same from our own foreign and commonwealth office (FCO) website, and the American CDC website. Please pay particular attention to what it says about DEET. Alternatively just google 'mosquito repellant myths'.

You can protect yourself easily with a combination of room spray, DEET on legs and arms at night and a plug in, will cost you well under a tenner for 2 weeks. There is probably a very good reason that our military don't eat marmite, garlic, use hand creams and use DEET instead!!!

Myth 1 - Fabric softener sheets

Touted as great for babies, this home remedy was introduced as a solution to the issue of not being able to apply DEET to infants. While it may sound like a friendly way to fight off mosquitoes, no known scientific studies have been done that show it to be effective at preventing mosquito bites. The best protection for infants and toddlers is to keep them covered in light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and drape netting over prams or strollers.

Myth 2 - Bananas, garlic and other foods

It is said that if you eat bananas, you will attract mosquitoes, whereas if you eat garlic you will repel them. While your pores can emit scents, no studies suggest these attract or repel mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and strong fragrances from soaps, lotions, deodorants, hair care products and perfumes.
Sources :

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
;
Fradin, M.S. and Day, J.F., Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites;
New England Journal of Medicine (2002), Vol. 347 : 13-18.

Myth 3 - Vitamin B-1 (Marmite) and plant derived essential oils

Thousands of plants have been tested as potential sources of insect repellents, however none of the plant-derived chemicals tested to date demonstrate the effectiveness and duration of federally registered insect repellents that contain DEET. There is no scientific evidence to indicate that Vitamin B-1 is effective in preventing mosquito bites.
Sources :

Fradin, M.S. (1998), Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 128 : 931-940;
Fradin, M.S. and Day, J.F. (2002), Vol. 347 : 13-18.

Myth 4 - Skin care products

From babies to adults, some people have been using common skin care products (e.g., bath oils) in the hopes that mosquitoes will be kept at bay. However, a study published in the July 4, 2002 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine stated that the insect repellent ingredient ("IR3535") found in common skin care products afforded shorter protection times than DEET-containing products.
Sources :

University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences;
Fradin, M.S. and Day, J.F. (2002), Vol. 347 : 13-18.

Myth 5 - Bug zappers & electronic devices

Researchers have found that while bug zappers do attract and kill thousands of insects within a 24-hour period, mosquitoes comprise only 6.4 per cent of a five-day insect catch and only half of the mosquitoes killed were females - the ones that bite humans. Numerous scientific studies have also shown that electric devices that emit high-frequency sounds have not been proven to significantly reduce exposure to mosquito bites.
Sources :

University of Florida study, UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Dr. Jonathan F. Day, Ph.D, July 1997;
Pennsylvania West Nile Control Program.

Myth 6 - Citronella

Citronella is the trendiest product currently used to repel mosquitoes. According to Health Canada, citronella oil repellents registered in Canada protect people against mosquito bites for less than one hour. Citronella should not be used on children under two years of age. Products containing citronella, such as candles, are only effective at repelling mosquitoes at very close range and when wind is minimal.
Sources :

Health Canada;
Fradin, M.S. and Day, J.F. (2002), Vol. 347 : 13-18.

Myth 7 - Citrosa plants, marigolds, etc.

There are no known plants that, when planted near houses, prevent mosquitoes from entering the building or from biting humans that pass by them.
Source :

Citrus County Mosquito Control District of Florida.

Myth 8 - Bats & purple martins

Research shows that bats and Purple Martins are selective feeders and mosquitoes make up a very small percent of their diet. If given a choice, both these winged animals will dine on larger insects.
Source :

Pennsylvania West Nile Control Program.

[kentcabbie]

The only tests of mozzie reppelants are what works best on yourself, last year i got bit to pieces and ended up with cellulitus for 6 weeks , so after much reading decided on antihistamine(citrazine) and garlic tablets 3 weeks and during our trip to Icmeler over the past 2 weeks,and......no bites so that will do for me, works for me ,but might not work for everyone, but might be worth a try.Rog.

[blondie]

Think you are right, Rog - what seems to work for one person might do nothing for another. I've got to watch about using the strong repellents because I have sensitive skin, but this year I'm adopting an all-out attack with garlic and Vit B tablets as well as my trusty Avon SSS. It's just a case of trial and error to find out which method is going to be best for you.

[jivebunnie0]

Sylvia, I have tried the garlic capsules, but I cant get the little buggers to swallow them!

No seriously, I too take them for about 2 weeks before I go, and have never been bitten in Icmeler.... Also cover myself in Avon Soft and Fresh dry oil spray in the evenings. However in Dalyan, they are a breed to be reckoned with!!! Came home with lots of bites, all scabbed over. Back 3 weeks now and still have a few

[lozzyloo]

i always use the spray repellant that you can buy in the supermarkets in Icmeler its called OFF ! its always worked for me. Usually my first purchase in Icmeler, roll on 3 weeks time

[jayj]

We use OFF as well but still take SSS work all the time .

[michelletonyr]

i got back last week & i only got 1 small bite, my husband got none & he usually gets loads, we used the avon stuff & nothing else. to be honest i only seen a few too. oh we had a raid spray too which we sprayed in our room on a night before going out.

[loates123]

traveled a bit but only come across these little annoying things before in sunny beach bulgeria and alcudia mallorca used 50% deet both times and never worked

so am so wondering what to use this time strange they are out as been to marmaras before and olu deniz and never seen many at all

[mackboy1]

HAS any one tried garlic capsules 1 week before you go ?it works for me as they used to make a meal of me.

Always take oderlous garlic pearls for about 2 weeks prior to going and also when on holiday
Have never been bitten, been going now since 1997

[carolineb]

Hi, going in August, does anyone know if you can buy Avon skin so soft in Icmeler, and where please.
Many thanks..Caroline.

[Kneale]

I didn't get one bite when I was there, the mozzies mustn't like me.