Bitten To Bits

pendy · 24-04-2005, 11:49

It was the Summer thread that reminded me of this.

Does anyone have a sure-fire way of repelling insects? I suffer horribly from bites, mosquitoes run excursions from miles around just to get me, and I have dreadful reactions. Someone told me once that taking vitamin B12 regularly keeps them off. Not off me, it don't! It's a real bore having to remember to cover every exposed bit with insect repellent every time I want to go out on a hot day.

I'll try anything (within reason).

mez · 24-04-2005, 12:03

i got some stuff in turkey one year, its a lemon eau de cologne it was bought as a insect repellent over there got some left you can try it when you come up.( mind you bit far to go to get another ) ha ha ha. yes it worked.

Sparkologist · 24-04-2005, 14:01

Whilst in NZ, Lettie & I took vitamin B compound tablets twice a day religiously. It is not 100% effective, but it certainly reduced the amount of feasting on my flesh considerably.
Another tablet you can try taking is garlic extract. It is supposed to work by making your sweat smell bitter, which alledgedly puts off the female mozzies from biting you.
Have you tried DEET, Pendy. It is reckoned to be the most effective of the chemical repellants. There is more info available at this Website: http://www.deet.com/

I have used Deet in 95% concentrated form and also natural insect repellant made from extract of eucalyptus oil. Both of these products were made by Lifesystems who specialise in outdoor safety products.
Here is the link to the relevant page on their website: http://www.lifesystems.co.uk/product...ts/index.shtml

I bought mine from Ellis Brigham outdoor store, in Manchester. They have an excellent website covering eveything for the outdoors. Here is the link to the bugs begone page on their website: http://www.ellis-brigham.com/cgi-bin...n@bLifesystems

I hope some, or all of this info proves of some use to you, Pendy.

cashman · 24-04-2005, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by pendy

It was the Summer thread that reminded me of this.

Does anyone have a sure-fire way of repelling insects? I suffer horribly from bites, mosquitoes run excursions from miles around just to get me, and I have dreadful reactions. Someone told me once that taking vitamin B12 regularly keeps them off. Not off me, it don't! It's a real bore having to remember to cover every exposed bit with insect repellent every time I want to go out on a hot day.

I'll try anything (within reason).

mosquitos- my missus used to have terrible trouble with mozzy bites, i listened to a programme on spanish radio,they suggested not wearing perfume etc as mozzys are attracted to the fragrence-for the last 18 months she has never been bitten by following this advice, also they are attracted to moisture i.e. pools,the sea,etc.P.S. when you can here the buzzing of them don't frantically look for em its too late you've bin bit the buzzing is the weight of the little swine full of your blood,also only the FEMALE mozzy bites you(no comment)serously try the no fragrence pendy.

Margaret Pilkington · 24-04-2005, 14:43

Like Lettie and Sparks, I used Vit B complex (strong) when travelling in Oz.......my husband laughed his socks off at me.......but we went to a crocodile farm on the outskirts of Cairns and guess who didn't get bitten once ? He wasn't laughing anymore. Lemon or Lavender based fragrances are also supposed to repel mozzies, that's why they use citronella candles at barbies. I can't use the chemical repellents as I am allergic to them.

WillowTheWhisp · 24-04-2005, 14:44

My cousin swears by the eating of Marmite sandwiches. She reckons they can't stand the stuff but that's not much help if you can't stand it either.

Also, avoid eating bananas because apparently they are partial to a bit of banana flavouring.

lettie · 24-04-2005, 16:05

The vitamin B compound certainly reduced the number of bites I got, as I'm usually eaten alive. A lot of the pharmacies are now recommending Vit B1 as well. I got some stuff in Greece called Propolene which is an oil spray containing citronella and basillica. Not only does this act as a repellent but if sprayed on a bite it dramatically reduces the size of it and takes away the itch. It's only available in Greece and Cyprus and is definitely their best kept secret. I have some left from my last foray to the cradle of civilisation. You can try it the next time you're in town Pendy.

staggeringman · 24-04-2005, 17:00

try having a wash pendy.........lol.

garlic get some good owd fashioned garlic down thee neck it will keep everything away including david.

pendy · 25-04-2005, 13:01

Thanks for all the advice - one curious thing - in Cuba for the first three days I was bitten to bits, so badly on my leg that I had to take steroids. HOWEVER, after that, nothing bit me. I was told by on of the locals that it was because I was drinking lots of rum, so I smelt like a native! Perhaps the trick is to start up on the local brew a week before leaving .....

Neil · 26-04-2005, 18:09

Maybe after all the rum you just did not care if you had been bitten or not.

Billcat · 26-04-2005, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by pendy

Thanks for all the advice - one curious thing - in Cuba for the first three days I was bitten to bits, so badly on my leg that I had to take steroids. HOWEVER, after that, nothing bit me.

And just when did David start smoking some of those Cuban cigars he purchased?

JohnW · 26-04-2005, 19:20

I too have great problems with the little flying b@st@rds, and living in Florida that is not good. However, when I go on the golf course now I use some stuff made by Avon and that works for me. I think different things work for different people, the idea apparently is to mask the natural smell that attracts them and it may take different things for different people. Not that I'm suggesting you smell Pendy you understand, I would never do that.

Billcat · 27-04-2005, 17:51

[QUOTE=JohnW]However, when I go on the golf course now I use some stuff made by Avon and that works for me. QUOTE]

Would that be Avon's Skin So Soft? A lot of folks use it as a bug repellant.

lettie · 27-04-2005, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billcat

Would that be Avon's Skin So Soft? A lot of folks use it as a bug repellant.

I have used skin so soft in the past, it's pretty good. One of my friends puts it on her horse to keep the flies away from its face.

park381 · 27-04-2005, 18:19

Citronella oil in water usually works, unless you are in scotland, don't think there's anything invented that stops them little b*****