Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

Having searched through all the previous posts about avoiding mosquito bites we have not found any answers to the following questions.

Do you ever get immune to the effects of mosquito bites?
Are there any particular months in Spain for mosquito activity?
Has anyone used the several hundred euros mosquito killers that use co2 canisters and are effective for 1/2 acres?
Has anyone used the american therma cell mosquito killers? or found anything similar that is effective?

My wife and I react quite badly to mosquito bites and although we can put up with the symptoms rather than miss out on living in Spain, would rather prevent getting bitten in the first place.

On holiday it is no problem, we use the electrical/chemical mosquito killers in our room and mosquito repellant sprays/creme when out and about after dusk.

I feel though that the permanent use of these chemicals may not be good for our health and my oh does not want to venture out smelling of deet for the rest of her life.

Obviously mosquito nets over the windows will sort out the sleeping but what about after dusk dining alfresco?

We hope that some members have come up with some new solutions.

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

Yeh, move back to my previous neck of the woods in the hills of N.E England.
Mossies don't seem to survive up there.
Mind best take your thermals if you want to avoid frost bite, (much worse than mossie bite), when you're dining Al bloody Fresco. ;)

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

We haven't moved anywhere yet! Anyway we're not much further south than you used to be so we know all about thermals.

Any answers on how to cope when in Spain?

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

We have the mossies nets on all our windows and the heavy chains on the doors, so rarely ever see a mossie or fly in the house, we also have a screen to the back terrace so we can eat outside without a problem, but on the roof terrace there are mossies, normally in April I think then again in October time, but I haven't had a bite for years, I used to get bitten and end up with infections, but it seems to have stopped, I don't use any creams or plug ins.
I haven't heard about the plug in that covers a large area, do you know what it is called ? Its a good idea to but long cotton trousers on to cover your ankles if you go out early evening at some times of the year. Enjoy Spain :thumbup:

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

In asia where we lived for several years there was a company called Villa Lifestyles that sold Mosquito electric magnets. They were used in school playgrounds as well as people having them in their gardens. Not sure if they sell here but you could look at their webiste and see if there is a UK/Spain equivalent or if indeed they stock anywhere in EU. Mosi guard for us was the most effective repellent and can honestly say we only got a few bites in several years and this was when we didn't apply in time or enough - where we were living mosi's were present all day and night for more than 6 months of the year.

Also look at certain plants - again lots of locals would have pots and pots of mosquito repelling plants - geraniums/marigolds/citronells - many many more do a google search

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

Try doing a search on here as I believe that a couple of years ago someone said that the Avon Skin So Soft products seemed to ward off mossies.

Rosemary

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

When I was stationed out in Singapore we found that regular "doses" of Tiger Beer (which was a local brew) built up an immunity to mozzies, and after a few months there they weren't interested and went on to bite others who had just arrived from the UK, and were still very fair skinned.

Or did we just not notice being bitten !! :confused:

Sorry, that doesn't really help very much at all. Back to the drawing board.

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

We use skin so Soft watered down with 5 parts water, then spread allover. Mosquito screens on all windows and doors. Plugins from mercadona on timers in all bedrooms and lounge. Mossies love me so I am paranoid! Still suffer start of summer with a couple of bites that get big and itch for days.(Usually from being out at friends and forgetting to put on SSS) After that I seem to get immune. They bite but it does not swell up. Seems worse at sunset 9-10 pm after that outside is ok. Keep all outside water (ponds etc) covered or with fish in to eat mossie lava.

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

Does it matter which fragrance skin so soft you use as there seems to be a choice or does it all work and just go with the version you prefer?

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

Check on possible sources or breeding sites around your property and in your locality and deal with them wherever possible. Areas of stagnant water, buckets and watering cans with water left in them, unused swimming pools etc., no breeding sites, no mossies.
Deet is possibly the best repellant to apply to the body, however much the same as the others, it is only effective for a short period of time, maybe half an hour for most of them,a little more for Deet.

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

My wife was very susceptible to mosquitos, and used to get bitten a lot, but we found that one of the moisturisers sold in Mercadona was very effective. Just look at their own brand moisturisers, and there are a couple that contain citronella, these are the ones thaat work as citronella is the stuff in the cacdles, and in Avon 'Skin so Soft', if you want to use the Avon thing, then ensure that you get the dry oil spray, this is the one they issue to troops in the jungle.

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

Me......................I swear by it. Also M&S lemon shower gel, and tea tree oil if you do happen to get bitten. We don´t have mossie window blinds as our cats would tear them to pieces within hours. Also keep away from any areas with pine trees.

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

Thank you for the info about the skin products, we do use them when we are on holiday.

However when we are living in Spain we had hoped that we would not need to either because we built up immunity to their effects or we could kill the little blighters.

That is why I was asking about the wide area killing machines that use a BBQ sized LPG bottle to burn and create co2 to attract the female mosquitos. I have only read about them on USA sites and wondered if they are available in Spain and if anyone had experience of them. They are supposed to cover an area up to 1/2 acre.

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

Interesting, your refence to lemon shower gel and the previous posters with citronella.
When I was in Turkey one of the locals saw I was bothered with mossies and came up to me with half a lemon and proceeded to rub it on my arms.
The pure lemon juice proved quite effective,so if you have a few lemon trees in the garden or around your location, no need to waste money on fancy products from the shops, as a half lemon itself is probably much more effective and in addition freshens you up,though best keep it well clear of your eyes.

Re: Mosquitos-again sorry!
 

Ummmmmm could also make you a bit sticky.