Mosquito Repellent!!

Heather & Mike · Post by **Heather & Mike** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:22 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 25 November 2002

Can anyone confirm the information we have been given about taking Vitamin B1 to act as an effective mosquito repellent. We were in St Lucia last November and Heather got bitten quite badly dispite liberal covering of Mosquito milk. We are staying at the CoCo Reef from 2nd January 2003 and any suggestions which are tried and tested would be welcome. Many thanks Heath & Mike.

Patrick Dankou · Post by **Patrick Dankou** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:23 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 25 November 2002

Sorry to dissapoint you but it does not work, at least not with our caribbean mosquitos. I have tried it a couple of times, sometimes using high doses of B1, B complex etc. All it did was to make me smell bad and change the color of your wastewater without impressing the little buggers at all. We are approaching the dry season so we don't suffer too much at the moment. Just don't wear to much perfume in the evening; they love aftershave and dark/black clothes are attracting them like a magnet. There are good repellents available locally but Autan works best.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:25 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 26 November 2002

I loved Tanja of Yes Tourism’s reply in the thread “Infant in Tobago” – she suggests adding citronella oil to after-sun lotion. By coincidence, Jill bought both citronella oil and Autan at Boots yesterday. Make sure your after-sun lotion has a removable top – we have got some Piz Buin and I was able to remove the top by using a thin knife under the top ‘plug’ (please, please be careful). I guess the more citronella oil you can add the better. Sounds like a great idea to me and Tanja should know, being based locally. As Patrick says, January is the dry season so mossies will be less of a problem. I can honestly say to you that I’ve never found them a problem when we go in January and February – gnats and midges have been Jill’s big problem – she gets tons of bites if she so much as looks at a patch of grass without repellent on. I shall be updating the ‘Insects’ page of our general Information section as additional information on this subject comes to light.

Lesley, UK · Post by **Lesley, UK** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:26 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 26 November 2002

Having just returned from caribbean on sunday I would have to say the mosquitos have become imune to most commercial repellents, the hotel even tried "fogging" which is spraying large quantities of chemicals in amist around the resort with little effect.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:27 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 26 November 2002

I hadn’t heard of any Tobago hotels having such a problem with mosquitoes that they had to resort (no pun intended) to ‘fogging’. On reading Lesley’s post, I was so concerned that I started to post a reply asking her which hotel she had stayed at. However, I see from her posts above that the ‘fogging’ situation actually occurred at a hotel on Grenada, not Tobago. I felt I ought to point this out here, before everyone started writing in asking which Tobago hotel had such a mosquito problem. Sorry that you had to change your plans, Lesley – Grenada is really great, but at least you’ve got a real treat to look forward to if you go to Tobago next year.

Niki Byrne · Post by **Niki Byrne** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:28 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 26 November 2002

Hi. We used Jungle mosquito repellent. It seemed to work very well. My husband didn't get bitten at all and I got bitten a few times, and it smells OK too ! We bought it from Boots. Hope this helps. Niki

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:30 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 26 November 2002

I was thinking of taking along Edwina Currie. The mosquitos would definitely keep their distance!!!

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:31 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 26 November 2002

No thanks, I'll stick with the mossie bites.

Mike and Jean · Post by **Mike and Jean** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:31 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 30 November 2002

Dear Tim, Regarding your comments on Edwina Curry. Three years ago we spent a pleasant time swimming in the surf with a young woman who turned out to be Edwina's daughter on the beautiful Maracas beach in Trinidad whist Edwina sat on the sand writing up her notes for her cruise talks. The mosquitoes didn't bite us once.

Terence · Post by **Terence** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:32 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 05 December 2002

Hi In my experience (I visit Tobago twice a year) taking Vitamin B does not work. Citronella Oil works quite well. You can buy this in the pharmacies on Tobago quite cheaply. You may wish to dilute it with baby oil should it `burn` your skin a bit. I am trying to find out about Neem Oil which I have been reading about as a repellent but have never used. It is supposed to be good for a variety of illnesses as well. It comes from a tree which grows in Trinidad and India and no doubt other places. If anyone knows about Neem Oil use as a mosquito repellent please post a note. Those gadgets you can buy which make a low whining noise to repel mosquitos , they dont work either. Regards