Mosquito Bites

[Kezza66]

Like sandy's idea of the quinine in the G & T doing the trick - sounds preferable to the doses of Thiamine ( Vit B1 ) contained in the Marmite on Debz1's toast

 

[Sparky]

I drink Vodka and Tonic in the evenings, hate to say this but it doesn't work for me, however any mozzy that bites me dies of alcoholic poisoning soon after.

 

[Cocoa07]

I take Vitamin B complex throughout the Summer as have been in the UK too. On holiday we always take an aftersun with an insect repellent already in it. This goes back to when my daughter was very young and it was nightmare trying to get either after sun or insect repellent on her - never mind both!!
I used to get one from Avon but for some reason they discontinued it. I bought one from Superdrug last year and it was great - have bought it again this year. It is £3.99 a bottle but is on their buy one get one free offers so works out at less than £2.00 a bottle.

 

[Sparky]

Sound like a good deal Cocoa, i will have to get some.

 

[Mark]

My wife gets a bad reaction to bites so I have researched a little bit about bites and my wife has tried a few ways to help when bitten, as sometimes the bites can cause nasty swellings. Almost a doctor visit once on holiday..

One way that helps is to take a Hayfever/ allergy drug daily such as
http://www.galpharm.co.uk/products/product.cfm?product=43 or
http://www.galpharm.co.uk/products/product.cfm?product=45

Really cheap from some supermarkets etc ( in England)

No need to buy expensive brands, if you read the label most are the same drug or a different drug for the non drowsy version.

Be careful if driving with the kind that can cause drowsiness.

If you get bitten the swelling will not be as bad as the anti histamine may stop the swelling reaction.
http://cks.library.nhs.uk/patient_information_leaflet/antihistamine_drugs#



Also try a device called Zapperclick http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/itch-relief-gadget-zapperclick-for-mosquito-bites
these really do work
Puts an electric shock across the bite and stops the itching for a few hours.
Works like one of those piezo gas hob lighters.
Make sure you travel with it in your suitcase, NOT hand luggage ! as it might be taken off you.

Google to find a supplier, Check ebay etc and amazon etc.



Then there is anti histamine cream such as Anthisan http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100002971.html
also works to stop the itching and swelling.

Dont be tempted to scratch an itchy bite, as that's a sure way of infection.

Dirt and bacteria from underneath your fingernails can get in the small hole in your skin where you have been bitten. The bite hole goes deep into your skin, much deeper than a little scrape which is why there is risk of infection.

a diagram here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/07/30/GR2007073000742.html



For property owners in areas where mosquitos are a problem there is a device called Mosquito Magnet http://www.mosquitomagnet.com/mosquito_magnet/

I have seen these used in Scotland for clearing midges, they do work apparently, but you need to buy gas bottles every few weeks.

Hope that helps someone !

Mark.

 

[Belladonna]

They're Back!

OTHER NEWS
PLAYA DE PALMA PLAGUE OF MOSQUITOES
STAFF REPORTER
LAST month was one of the wettest Septembers since records began in 1971 and the heavy rains over the past few weeks have sparked a plague of mosquitoes in the Playa de Palma.
The situation has become so serious that Palma City Council has set up a special unit to monitor and combat the plague while residents are claiming they are fighting a losing battle this year.


MARSHES
The wet lands and marshes which run along the back of the Playa of Palma are popular havens for mosquitoes but the heavy September rains and unusually wet conditions have created a plague of mosquitoes which has put some local residents in hospital.

One Sant Joan de Deu neighbour was taken to hospital suffering from mosquito bites to her whole body. “We can’t even open the windows,” one Ses Fontenelles resident complained.
Local business, especially restaurants are also complaining about the plague which is making it nearly impossible for clients to enjoy the bar and restaurant terraces. “This is just what we need at the end of a season like the one we’ve had,” one local bar owner said.
Palma City Council has sent a team into the area to tackle the plague using special biocides.

 

[whaleywanderer]

We did the CSV walk yesterday and although the weather was glorious we were eaten alive by mosquitoes but think that some of these were whilst having a snack at the Marinas bar, where we had to take refuge inside, but found it no better in there. They are definately back, with Vengence

 

[CathB]

thanks for that...just started the packing so will go and hunt the mozzie stuff

 

[Bigandyg]

Hate to say it but been going to PP for about twenty years and never even seen one.

 

[Belladonna]

Some people are just SO lucky! Obviously depends on the time of year, but also for some reason the little suckers just dont go for some types of blood! Have tried the garlic pill eating trick, but think I would rather have the bite Long grass and water / rain obviously bring them out. Have also found that you do get fewer in the room the higher up you are, although that does not stop them totally, especially if you have trees by the window!

 

[joelise80]

Hi All - I hope I have beaten the mossies once and for all, the last 3 visits in the last year have been bite free. I know they have been biting when I was there as two weeks ago was sat near a poor lady covered in calamine splodges one evening. Anyway rather than re write what my plan of action is I hope this link works and good luck to you all as I hate the b*****s!
http://www.forum.puertopollensa.com/medical/3628-do-i-need-bring-anti-mosquito-sprays-plugs.html

 

[Belladonna]

We were looking today for the "bite pen" at Boots, but couldn't find it, instead there was a gadget that you pressed onto your skin after you have been bitten, and it emits an electrical spark to stop it itching!
It advises that you dont use an insect repellent that includes alcohol though, as it could ignite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is even one for children!!!! X 100000!!
Well, we bought one, but have been too scared to try it out! Have been playing at being either a farmer with a cattle prod, or a policeman a with taser gun!!
Maybe if we actually TELL the mozzies we are packing a lethal weapon, they will just buzz off!!!

 

[debz1]

Bella I've got a zapper from the days when I used to get bitten. It doesn't exactly hurt it just makes you jump.... a lot I always used to take ages to pluck up the courage to use it! It's also a handy tool to get lazy husbands out of bed...not that I'm a sadist or anything

 

[Belladonna]

LOL! Well I'm not going to use it - not on myself anyway!

 

[CathB]

just back and the mozzies are definately out in force....i have never been bitten until now !!!!
took the plug in's for the apartment and husband went on patrol with a large can of spray every day...the problem seemed to be sitting outside at some restuarants...also a few nasty nips from the sand flies which are also having a grand time

 

[ray]

if you don´tlike taking vitamin b tablets, eat marmite, it should have the same effect- it would certainly keep me away! also mossies are supposedly attracted to bright non patterned material (this would include white shheets)

 

[frito]

Mozzies.

If you get bitten, go to the chemists, and buy a tube of "NEOSAYOMOL".
It really works.
There seem to be a lot more mozzies about at present, so why not use what lots of the locals (including me) use?

I hope this is useful.

Frito.

 

[RingSpin]

I got about 14 bites one night last week in the apartment - some of which swelled quite badly so I felt like a freak
I could hear the little blighters buzzing about in the night
They must have been attracted to my big white non patterned body

Went to Eroski and bought a plug-in which apparently lasts for 45 nights, and also a can of killer spray.
At the chemist they sold me a tube of Fenistil Gel. It's a antihistamine which certainly did the trick on reducing the itching, redness and swelling. Also it's clear, so not too unsightly going about with great big blobs of it slapped on

Result! - no more bites for the duration of the week.

 

[whaleywanderer]

We were bitten quite badly whilst walking over the hills to CSV on our most recent visit. Apparently the heat, coupled with the week of rain in mid September had brought them out in swarms.

A long swim in the sea (salt water) took all the swelling/itching away and they were gone in two days - natural remedy me thinks!

 

[curlytom]

My husband and I were both bitten on our recent holiday in PP and my husband reacted badly, even the joints in his hands and ankles became swollen. We have been coming to Majorca over the past 40 years and have never had trouble before.

We were watching Spanish TV while there and there were at least 3 separate items on the news programmes about mosquitoes in Spain. There has apparently been a "tiger mosquitoe" causing problems in the country recently and we wondered if that was what had attacked us.