Anything that bites !

[Clyde Alleyne]

Here's my contribution to the discussion about what works and what doesn't for mossies.
Today's Times Online had an article titled "Insect bites: what really makes mozzies buzz off" http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_a ... 488647.ece

Direct quote from the article:
" use a good repellent such as N,N-diethylmetatoluamide (DEET), which blocks the insects’ receptors and makes wearers “invisible”. Citronella is a popular natural alternative but it is nowhere near as effective. One study comparing 16 commercially available repellents found that products containing 24 per cent DEET protected volunteers for an average of just over five hours when they put their arms in a tank full of mozzies, while those using 10 per cent citronella (the strongest tested) received their first bite within 20 minutes. Citronella-impregnated wristbands offered protection for just 20 seconds."

Personally, the only thing that works for me is Off!, which uses DEET as its active ingredient.
Clyde

[Hugh S]

Clyde,

Good article. It explains why locals are never as bothered:

"if you live in a part of the world where being bitten is an everyday occurrence, your immune system eventually “gets used” to the foreign chemicals and the reaction starts to subside"

And the part about beer drinkers getting bitten more often explains the rest.


Thanks, Hugh

[Linda P]

Hi All

I can strongly reccomend bug zappers, I wouldn't be anywhere in Tobago without mine. It doesn't stop you from getting bitten, but does stop the itch instantly.

Linda

[Hugh S]

Linda,

Our piezo stove igniter does double duty as a zapper. It kinda works. Shocking!

Hugh

[Gisela Grell]

Hi all,

I see next time I go to Tobago my luggage will contain any kind of medicine half for of the allowed weight....
I will try all your suggestions. One will help hopefully.

Linda, whe I googled I could only find electric bug zappers. Nothing to put on a bite. But I found something from German discounter ALDI on herbal base wich is amazing. It eases itching bites down after using it once. Hope they will sell it again and I wil buy the whole offer.

Take care
Gisela

[Hugh S]

Good morning Gisela,

Are you refering to the homeopathic remedy Apis Mellifica? We were introduced to it last summer and I don't leave home (to Tobago) without it now. It is produced from bee venom and reduces the intense itching and swelling that comes right after a mosquito bite. We have been using the 30c strength but I have some in 200c strength that I have not yet tried. It really works for us. It is a tiny sugar pill that you dissolve under your tongue. I was taught not to touch the pill with my fingers. Just twist the lid, pop one under your tongue and the itching begins to subside within minutes.

Here is a link to a bite zapper:

http://www.tecnimed.it/Inglese/Zanza-Click.htm

Hugh

[Linda P]

LOL Hugh,
I suppose it's just the same thing really!!

Linda