Richard Green
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We are visiting South Africa, Zambia and maybe Botswana in November, and mosquitoes just love my skin. Have you any recommendations to prevent being bitten? Christine Winnard, Oldham
Sunday Times travel expert, Richard Green, responds: It's true that some people get bitten more than others, and while research continues as to why, you'll have to arm yourself with the right anti-mossie arsenal. Of course, this is as well as malaria prophylactics, prescribed by a doctor.
The good news is that there are fewer mosquitoes in the dry season, which in southern Africa generally runs from October to December. You should still pack plenty of repellent, and most important, use it frequently. It'll be hot and humid, and you'll be active, and mixed with sweat, repellent quickly become pretty useless. You shouldn't apply it and then leave your lodge for the evening, without taking some spray with you even to apply every hour or so if it's very hot.
In areas with malaria, opt for a repellent that is at least 50 per cent Deet, and go a step further by treating your clothes with an insecticide called Bugproof (about £6.50 per bottle). Along with repellent, Bugproof is available from Nomad or Cotswold Outdoor stores, or via the internet.
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There are 2 simple things you can do to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.
1 - to ensure that if you've had your windows, doors, curtains open in the daytime - You DON'T switch on any lights until you have closed some of the openings and tightly shut the curtains. Then you won't attract the mosquitos into the room.
2.. 7-10days Before you go away, buy & start taking One Vitamin B1 strength 100 mcg, am & pm, ie twice daily, to create a build-up in your blood.
Everyday that you are away, & for a few days after you return - ensure that you take them once or twice daily - depending upon the quantity of bites on other people.
The reason being that mosquitos dont like the smell/taste of you when you've been taking the Vit B1.
I know it works well as I took it daily in China in August. I got 2 bites the first day as I hadnt begun taking it quite early enough before & that was it... But the rest of the group all got badly bitten every day & night. - and I gave them all my sprays.
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Cynthia Lewis, London.,, England UK
Citronella oil works very well. You only need a few drops rubbed into exposed areas. It's also much cheaper than fancy branded sprays or aerosols.
Mike Anderson, Kuwait,
I always take Brewer's Yeast a few days before I go away and throughout my holidays to Spain and haven't been bitten by a mosquito in five years!
Berenice Moran, Dublin, Ireland