Originally Posted by DaniL

I always find toothpaste on the bites stops them itching and usually takes the swelling down. I've never really found a decent repellent. When I was out for an evening picnic a couple of years ago I found rubbing beer on my legs kept them away - makes you smell a bit manky though!

Originally Posted by lindaf

A couple of times I've felt a stinging on my legs, looked down and there has been a fly on my leg. What are these flies and are they actually biting flies?

Originally Posted by Gio

Yes, the flies bite. Well, I would find a fly on my leg and then a hole and a trail of blood sometimes. They are quite clever and in fact you do not feel them biting. Tricky buggers.

Originally Posted by Pete Grey

Come on you motley lot. What do you put on the bites to stop them itching and what do you use to keep them from bitting in the first place.

I live in the centre of the rice growing of Monferrato so we have lots of the little and big buggers.

I will kick of with.

I rub a fresh lemon on the bite. It stops it itching and developing into a big red welt / spot. But it only seems to work if it is done straight away. I also don't know why it works.

I use anti zanzari spray but it doesn't seem to work very well. Maybe my blood is extra sweet.


Pete (bit to hell) Grey

Originally Posted by chasdav

I don't care anymore!, they've done their worst! Recently spent 6 months in Papua New Guinea and now get Malaria, on and off. Now I sometimes HOPE I get bitten just in case i've got any anti-malarial drugs still in bloodstream and just MIGHT make 'em a bit sick!

Originally Posted by Pete Grey

Toothpaste!!!!! I like the beer idea. I haven't heard the expression manky for ages. Are you from the North of England? We used to use it in Sheffield a lot.

Pete