How do I stop getting bit by Mosquitos?

Question

Ok, heres the story. When I went to Greece I came back absolutely covered in Mosquito bits all over my body. This year I went to Portugal and got even more covered in them, all over my body and my face. Two on my face swelled up and I had to see an emergency doctor for antibiotics and it ruined my holiday.

I am going to Mexico in June and getting married so I dont want to wake up one morning looking like the Elephant Man or covered in spots.

So my question is - is there anything I can take / use to stop them biting me?

Old Wives Tales will also be appreciated as I'll be trying anything and everything.

Answer 1

i live in Greece and can identify with you, i dont get bitten anymore but this is what i have heard from a doctor freind people do, some work for some but not others so you may be wise trying a few but from personal experience i allways have a plug in mosquito machine in the room in sleeping in and whenver im out and about i wear any mosqito repelant containing DEET but whaterver you do dont put savalon or germoline on as sweet smelling things do attract them (the same could apply to cosmeics so use in moderation) if you have been bitten use a special mosquito stick (or maybe take an afterbite stick with you, they are available in boots quite cheeply)

the list is as follows

Garlic tables (take one a day for 3 mothns before you go away and continue to take while you are there)

Zinc tables (take one a day for 3 mothns before you go away and continue to take while you are there)

use citronella essential oils in addition to any other repelants

use an aftersun that contains repelant

consider taking a mosquito net to place over you bed when you sleep



whaterver you decide to do make sure you read any instructions & warnings and follow them religiously


hope this helps

Answer 2

An idea of a homemade mosquito repellent is to put some water on a white plate. You then add some drops of lemon joy dishwashing soap and place this concoction where you sit. Catnip Catnip oil can also make a good repellent. Mix it with a little grain alcohol and place it in a mister to use as a spray repellent. Other Herbs There are other herbs that can also work. These include basil, eucalyptus, cloves, geranium, peppermint, rosemary, onions, garlic, and feverfew. Lemon Balm. Another essential oil available cheaply at the drug store, lemon balm can be combined in drop form with water and a spray bottle as described above to create homemade mosquito repellent, though I recommend a more concentrated solution (1.5 – 2 ounces of oil for an ounce of water). However, the lemon balm plant (Melissa officinalis) grows easily in North America, so if you keep this fresh herb in your kitchen, you can snip off a handful of leaves and boil them in some hot water. Let the mixture cool a bit, and then put it into spray bottle. ANY of these will work.

Answer 3

Coming from a Caribbean country, I have a lot of experience with mosquitoes. Apart from being a health hazard (malaria, dengue, etc), it can be very annoying. To avoid mosquito bites, it is advised that you use some sort of bug repellent. The best I've used so far is a product called Odomos. It is a bug repellent cream, but the advantages of this product is that it is odourless (as opposed to citronella based products), and it doesn't feel greasy on the skin, like Off. And it works. I put that stuff on and walked through a swarm of mosquitoes with none one single bite. If you can't find Odomos, Off is the best of the rest. Also try and stay away from areas where mosquitoes may be prevalent such as areas near water, tall grass. If you do get bitten try not to scratch it as this will irritate it as well as leave marks on your skin. You can use toothpaste on the bites to sooth them (also makes them heal faster).

Answer 4

You have sweet blood. I went to south America in June last year, and i had huge nasty bites all over my legs. And I went to an Amerindian man (local natives) who said that I had sweet blood and I should drink something called bitters. they are nasty, but they are so good for you!. If you are near somewhere that has a west indian shop, ask if they can get you bitter cup. Soak a few tablespoons of water in it everyday for a minute and then drink it every day.

It will help you loose weight and it will make you less irresistible to mosquito's from the outside in. Bug sprays don't work, they rub off and mosquito's are immune to it.

Also sleep with a mosquito net, tucked under the mattress because they will get in.And don't sleep with it against your skin, because they will poke through it too.

Answer 5

I had this trouble when I first came to live in China, yet the locals dont get many bites and when they do they are very little spots. Chinese people dont eat much sweet food and I was told to keep away from anything sweet as mosquitos love sweet blood. I found out this worked for me, sure enough when ever I relented and ate chocolate or cake the mosquitos came and tried to eat me. Maybe its worth you trying it. Have a great wedding day

Answer 6

There are many methods to avoid getting bitten by mosquitos. I live in a mosquito-infested city, so I have a lot of experience with this :-)

In terms of non-pharmacological (no drugs/sprays), there are changes you can make to repel mosquitos. Mosquitos are attracted to dark clothing. WEAR LIGHT-COLORED CLOTHING. Also, mosquitos are attracted to scents, especially fragrances and sweat. Avoid fragrances in deodorants and perfumes. However, wear a good anti-persperant and breathable clothing to avoid sweating!

It is not proven, but mosquitos may also be attracted to the smell of blood. Try not to kill too many mosquitos to expose blood. Brush them off carefully.

It is an "old-wives tale" that potassium in your blood can attract mosquitos. Bananas and various other fruit contain a lot of potassium. Try to avoid consuming high-potassium food products while in the vicinity of mosquitos!

Try to cover up exposed skin if possible too. Loose-fitted clothing is your best option.

In terms of sprays, the most common and most effective products are sprays/lotions that contain DEET. There are concerns on the safety of these products, but the FDA and Health Canada have given the OK for the use of these products and the guidelines tell us that (if we are adults) to use the spray no more than 3 times per day. Sprays that contain around 10% DEET will work for about 2 hours (and will smell less) (ie. Off! Skintastic) and products with around 30% DEET will work for about 6 hours (ie. Muskol).

There are more "natural" sprays available.. and these also work, but they typically do not work for as long (1-3 hours). However some people feel more comfortable with these and they are certainly a viable option.

Good luck and have a safe trip!

Answer 7

An ex girlfriend of mine would get bitten all the time by mosquitoes and she used all different kinds of sprays, she even used lemon juice cos she was told this would help, but to no avail she would still get bitten. Whereas i didnt bother with anything and usually had no problems. So i think its just a case that some people attract them more tham others.

Answer 8

My husband and I have been taking Vitamin B-1 for years and the mosquitoes have not bothered us. Probably the people who make DEET products and Off can pay these people to okay their products as opposed to using a simpler method. You do have to take the B-1 starting in the early spring before mosquito season, however.

Answer 9

Sleep under a mosquito net. Burn anti-mosquito 'incense' in the room at night.

During the day use spray-on mosquito repellent.

Take anti-histamine (or use anti-histamine creme) if bitten.

If you are particularly sensitive to mossie bites (as it sounds you are), I'd go see your doctor and let them know. There may be something else (stronger antihistamine) that you can be prescribed.

Hope this helps.

Answer 10

You can only prevent it. Mosquitos like certain type of blood, your blood might be delicious so it attracts a lot of mosquitos where ever you go.
Just use bug spray. And make sure it all natural ingredient.