Mosquito Bands

A band on a wrist impregnated with DEET/Citronella or similar may well give suitable deterrent for that arm in the immediate vicinity of the band but is not a substitute for applying the chemical to cover each arm/wrist and all other exposed areas, and reapplying it regularly. Use a mozzie net too-impregnated preferably.

We don't advise them in our travel clinic. They look nice and easy but but don't give full cover if that is what you want.

Bruce

'Eau de poulet' is what you need...according to recent research!

G

In my experience, mainly with midges in the UK, and mosquitos in Europe and India, the only really effective measures are DEET, applied thoroughly over all exposed skin, and mosquito nets. Other measures may provide some reduction, but only to a limited extent, so if you're travelling in an area where mosquitos carry nasty diseases, don't cut corners for the sake of convenience.

A common mistake when applying any repellent is to wait until you've been bitten once, then decide you'd better get out the DEET or whatever. Bites give out a smell that acts as a magnet to other insects, which is generally enough to override the deterrent effect of a repellent.   

Not this then...

Ok, cheers guys

I would also encourage you to wear long pants and long sleeved shirts/tops.  Good advice used to be to avoid going out at either dawn and dusk as that's when the little B%^&*ters were most active.  But it seems over the last number of years that they're out and about, and biting, during most of the daylight hours as well (here in North Florida at least).

There is no way a bracelet repellant would prevent biting other than possibly very close to the bracelet.

speaking as someone who is always the target of mossies, getting large numbers of bites when others only get the odd one or two. When I am in a location where they are prevalent I use DEET - the strongest available (40%). But although called a repellant, it isn't: they dont bite where it is applied, but they do bite where it is missed, even if very close tomwhere it is applied. After dusk I wear long trousers  and a long sleeved shirt, socks, and put DEET on my face and neck, well below collar level, backs of hands , wrists and forearms for a few inches past  the cuffs, and aborve my ankles in case they try to get me there. not sandals. I still get a few bites - but as i don't use during the day unless, say, a trek through swampy land, It is probably from daytime bites.

Although sweat is said to attract them, they bite me just as well after a shower as before, so I think it is probably more down to inherent scent. Someone suggested to me that blood group may be significant in their finding certain people tastier than other, but I have no idea if true.

OK thanks. it's certainly true that my wife and daughter tend to fall victim far more often than I do. I do have a funny blood group tho' or perhaps I just smell bad..

Hi Jamie,

I live in Germany and most repellents here, at least the non-eco ones which don't actually work, are based on icaridin, see link. I was a firm believer in DEET and wouldn't use anything else but have found this to be as equally effective, if not more so, and a lot more pleasant to use. You can get formulas that are fine to use for children down to 6 months old. Not sure this is available in the UK at all.

I spend quite a bit of time in southern africa & have done so for many years,  I always buy in SA as something in the available brands seems better than the same brand names bought in Europe or USA.

 My 1st brand choice is Natrapel, they have a range of DEET free products & various application methods.  2nd choice is Jungle Formula, but beware of DEET with this if handling camera's & other plastic products.   My wife has skin allergy issues & finds Pyramid 100 better for her skin but will use all the above.  She is a real mossie magnet & also uses preemptive antihistamine to help with septic bite infection,  but if we are in a particularly bad area she will go for Natrapel every time.