Insect repellant

naf123

Going to a mosquito-infested area!  I want to be prepared. I have got the Jungle 50% DEET stuff but a little confused. Most of my mosquito bites seem to be at night but these Jungle formulations seems to be just once-a-day application and to wash off before bed? I understand most say to use a plug-in for the night, but it's not an option....

Any advise? Thank you 

TimSynths

Ive tried them all but in combination of using repellent I take antihistamines and start one week before travel then any bites don't seem to be as irritating but when I am bitten I apply White Tiger Balm to them. This summers holiday was the easiest Ive had in years and will be repeating the process again come Egypt in November. Good luck!

naf123

TimSynths said:

Ive tried them all but in combination of using repellent I take antihistamines and start one week before travel then any bites don't seem to be as irritating but when I am bitten I apply White Tiger Balm to them. This summers holiday was the easiest Ive had in years and will be repeating the process again come Egypt in November. Good luck!

Thanks . Do you sleep with deet applied ?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

seems Avon Skin So Soft is quite effective, midgies don't like it.

elsien

The slightly more scientific version here.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001np5v

Best way is  to try to avoid being bitten in the first place.

sheramber

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

seems Avon Skin So Soft is quite effective, midgies don't like it.

A lot of midges don't know that.

twopenny

I've travelled to many mosquito ridden places so it depends on what and where.

The Amazon I used citronella + teatree in almond oil because it doesn't disappear if you are sweating. I smelled - interesting I used the deet on my clothing but I was the only one not bitten.

For Egypt/Indian ocean area it's more in resorts where they water plants so standing water. Just close everything at night.

Mostly if you are in airconditioning at night keep it very cool and close everything.

In Borneo travelling and a lot of water and rain I used the citronella and sprayed the bedding and my clothing with the Jungle stuff rather than me. Seemed to work as I didn't get bitten.

So now do I get the 'lovie' award

But in high mosquito areas for day time if you are there all the time then you need the medication you take starting before leaving.

Really does depend on where you are going.

TimSynths

elsien said:

The slightly more scientific version here.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001np5v

Best way is  to try to avoid being bitten in the first place.

Just listened to it his morning, I thought Professor James Logan from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was very interesting- not sure I'd want a box with 100 hungry mozzies in it!

Wont waste any money in future on those candles and wrist bands either.

strawb_shortcake

I bought my Daughter lifesystems max deet, seems to have good reviews but time will tell whether it actually works, though I can imagine user error being a factor in still being bitten

TimSynths

IvanOpinion said:

Be careful with Jungle DEET. I found it reduced the effectiveness of the sun cream we used and I also blame it for making me ill for a couple of days.

Yes they say that in the Radio program, If you are in the sun ie beach put suncream on 1st and the repellent at least 10 mins after, if you are in the jungle put the repellent on 1st then the suncream. Both will have a detriment on the effectiveness of the other but this method it the lesser of two evils.

Pollycat

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

seems Avon Skin So Soft is quite effective, midgies don't like it.

Just to point out that Avon skin-so-soft is not an insect repellent.

It was marketed as such by Avon very briefly many years ago with claims that our Armed Forces used it in Scotland against midges.

That was when it was called 'bath oil' and was incredibly greasy.

Since then, it has undergone many changes in content and packaging.

I'm not sure if it works or is an urban myth.

However, I've used in conjunction with insect repellent and after sun with insect repellent since 1996.

There are different types, you need the original one.