The best Anti-mosquito protection or spray

[Randy Cornhole]

Good point made by prcscct. Make sure whatever you buy has the word DEET on it somewhere...

[moja]

Off now do a spray especially for Children.

When last I looked the cheapest place around town for OFF is the Old Shopping Mall, it is often on offer there. Tesco is about the most expensive place followed by Watsons.

[hhfarang]

From what I've heard, Deet is not good for anyone if used on a regular basis as one would need to here to keep the mozzies away. Being allergic to many chemicals, I'm less afraid of the bites than I am the poison in the sprays.

I've seen a herbal roll-on advertised in one of the free Thai tourist brochures. I can't remember the name but it's something like Taico, Jaico or Daico. Has anyone tried this one and does it work?

[JW]

Try taking anti histamine a week before you come so when you do get bitten you dont have a bad reaction - i have a friend who used to get huge lumps after a bite.

[JW]

.... and he doesnt anymore!

[Huahinian]

Was just a bit of trivia that's its only the pregnant females that bite you as they want the protein from your blood for their unborns. She'll smell you if your chemical emissions aren't right she'll move on to the next person. While drinking your blood she inserts her saliva which our body then reacts to making it itch.
Our blood for their itchy spit, not a fair trade

SJ

Interesting point! As a cigarette smoker until 10 months, 13 days and 5 hours ago, I was rarely bitten by mossies but now I get bitten very regularly. I guess my chemical emission has changed. I wonder if ........... no that is another thread!

[yabz]

Lemon grass is both safe and effective. You can buy it in OTOP fairs and many shops too.

[hhfarang]

The lemon grass I've seen is a rather long stiff herb. Where, exactly do you put it?

[MrPlum]

I use Citronella or Lemon Grass sprays, about 70 thb.

Don't wear dark clothing, especially black.
Don't scratch! Pull your children's finger nails out.
Rub the bite with a touch of Virgin Coconut Oil or a Basil leaf. 10 minutes and it stops itching,
Best defence? Keep the doors closed.
In an emergency rub your most attractive bits (to the mossies) with a slice of lemon or lemon juice.
Play tennis with the bats. You know you've got one when you smell the barbecue.

[yabz]

The lemon grass I've seen is a rather long stiff herb. Where, exactly do you put it?

You have to use the sprays. Planting it around your house don't work unfortunately...

[Sabai Jai]

I have been using 'Mosiguard' cream from their Natural range for years - it is eucalyptus based so no nasty chemicals which is important if your putting it on your skin every day. It is good and effective too.

Not sure about putting DEET on your skin long term?

If I'm going 'up country' I would take some 'Jungle Formular' liguid for reserve in case it gets bad.

I had malaria twice when i worked in Africa, so i am wary of the buggers!

Regards
Sabai Jai

[Spitfire]

Well, MrP can correct me if I'm wrong on this one as it's more in his field than mine but have heard that mosquitoes find you unpalatable if you eat a lot of garlic, have alot of B-1 vitamins in you(cannot OD on them as they are water soluble), drink beer(don't like the yeast coming through the skin) along with using citronella candles(as MrP mentioned). I hear that these are effective if you don't want to spray deet etc all over you.

Don't know if it's just an old wives tale but have heard pennyroyal oil is effective aswell.

Maybe MrP can judge my suggestions.

[hhfarang]

Pull your children's finger nails out.

They'll just find a stick to scratch with... I think you have to cut their entire hands off!

[margaretcarnes]

hhfarangs 'herbal roll on' - I can't remember the name either! But didn't find it as good as the little wipes in blue and white packets which danthai mentioned. '15' on the packet. 2 wipes for 5 baht. I usually found that one wipe on exposed areas at dusk was enough, and they are pleasantly oily but not greasy. You can get boxes of 25 packs at G Supermarket which work out even less.
There are various 'food' theories to deter mozzies, including garlic and tonic water, but for me the bigger peril is ants. They get your feet and ankles and can cause really bad reactions. Again - the '15' wipes seem to keep the little B's at bay.
For treating mozzie bites try the Poy-Sian inhalers. Those little plastic tubes available from pharmacies and most corner shops, for about 16 baht. These are double ended. One end the inhaler - very good for stuffy Bangkok noses. The other end is a dabber for putting on bites.

[Calvin]

Well, MrP can correct me if I'm wrong on this one as it's more in his field than mine but have heard that mosquitoes find you unpalatable if you eat a lot of garlic, have alot of B-1 vitamins in you(cannot OD on them as they are water soluble), drink beer(don't like the yeast coming through the skin) along with using citronella candles(as MrP mentioned). I hear that these are effective if you don't want to spray deet etc all over you.

Don't know if it's just an old wives tale but have heard pennyroyal oil is effective aswell.

Maybe MrP can judge my suggestions.

I tried spraying a garden solution of Garlic water on some shrubs that seemed to attract the mozzies like a magnet. And on my legs as a test. Wasn't effective and I think you have to eat a lot of it.

Beer is very effective. Drink enough of it and you won't feel a thing. I've heard about the B vitamins from a friend but never tried it. He swears by it. He also drinks like a fish, which I suspect is the real secret.

For the jungle types you can put citronella grass under the bed. And a few drops of citronella essential oil in a diffuser will see you sleep undisturbed.