Rather Lively Mosquitoes

[Bograt]

I've just come back from a four day visit to the Peyia/Sea Caves area, and I found the mossies to be particularly voracious. I know people say "oh, i never get bitten", but - I NEVER get bitten! For some reason however, this time I found myself under attack from some whoppers! (Mosquitoes, you understand ). A friend of mine who found herself in the same boat says that the late rain this year has led to lots more of the little bleeders than usual. Has anyone else thought that they are being snacked on more than usual? I hope it is an aberration, not that I have suddenly become irresistible to the fiends.

[cyprusmax47]

I've just come back from a four day visit to the Peyia/Sea Caves area, and I found the mossies to be particularly voracious. I know people say "oh, i never get bitten", but - I NEVER get bitten! For some reason however, this time I found myself under attack from some whoppers! (Mosquitoes, you understand ). A friend of mine who found herself in the same boat says that the late rain this year has led to lots more of the little bleeders than usual. Has anyone else thought that they are being snacked on more than usual? I hope it is an aberration, not that I have suddenly become irresistible to the fiends.

Bograt, that's not really fair from you hanging around with a friend while last week you posted: " Bograt wrote:
Whenever I see a post come up from Max I just know it will be interesting. Think we need to get married Max, if that suits you....." and now you ask for clever answers about biting insects.
OK, lets try to forgive ... I remember from the past that every year in June when air is very dry, little tiny bastards coming out of the sand searching not for blood but for humidity. They go mainly towards your nose and ears and are very annoying. The next two weeks with great heat will kill them..Where I live in the hills there are much less this year, luck of rain, I know because the first one around get's me as there is nobody else here
Of course this is disturbing you if you are up to no good...

Max

[Bograt]

Of course this is disturbing you if you are up to no good...

Max

I'm always good...... obviously too good for these damn nipping little swines, I didn't think I was that tasty! It's just interesting to me that a few people that I know who normally reckon themselves immune to mossie bites, are getting attacked this year.
I shall try that geranium oil that Road Warrior mentions, I've also bought some of the roll on Mosquito Milk. Zivania was put to the test, I must say it did seem to reduce the itch I wasn't brave enough to drink it (much, hic) but did dab it on the scene of the crime.

[Dominic]

Apparently eating potatoes helps. You sweat out starch which the mozzies hate. I heard that on a radio program when one of the people who work with David Attenborough was being interviewed.

[cyprusmax47]

Apparently eating potatoes helps. You sweat out starch which the mozzies hate. I heard that on a radio program when one of the people who work with David Attenborough was being interviewed.

Interesting, as I changed my diet recently towards more potatoes and less pasta because even 1 of them in the house got me in the past - not this year.
But also I realized that this year are less larvas in used drums of old rain water in the garden. In the past I also used the electric shocker, Road Warrior told us which helps because with the pain you forget the bite (only joking), no the swelling goes down and one stops scratching.
A very good cream after bites is called Calmiderm from the pharmacies. Helps also with Sunburn.
Max

[Bograt]

Thank you for all the help. Road Warrior, I have just ordered a zapper, and I will get some essential geranium oil as well, thank you. Max, I am hoping that you are indeed joking, and that I do not end up feeling like I have been plugged into the mains. And Dominic - another excuse, if one needed it, to eat more of the fabulous Cyprus potatoes.
What ghastly things these female mosquitoes are. I did not know about the CO2 tracking, but that is quite creepy.
Now I will wait for the genius Max to come up with an idea to prevent your breath attracting all the females.......

[cyprusmax47]

Thank you for all the help.
What ghastly things these female mosquitoes are. I did not know about the CO2 tracking, but that is quite creepy.
Now I will wait for the genius Max to come up with an idea to prevent your breath attracting all the females.......

Like with most females it is not only the breath which attract them also the body odor. Eucalyptus sweets (in Lidl) for example make a better breath and
mossies don't like Eucalyptus. If you use a shower gel or deo stick or eau de cologne heavy on cedar wood it would perhaps help as well ( about your partner I don't know) Sweating in a hot bedroom without air-con will definitely not attract the females... but the mossies

Max

[Bograt]

Like with most females it is not only the breath which attract them also the body odor. Eucalyptus sweets (in Lidl) for example make a better breath and
mossies don't like Eucalyptus. If you use a shower gel or deo stick or eau de cologne heavy on cedar wood it would perhaps help as well ( about your partner I don't know) Sweating in a hot bedroom without air-con will definitely not attract the females... but the mossies

Max

I think that air conditioning puts the mossies to sleep, am I right? Sweating without air conditioning is a definite no-no
Good idea about the shower gel/breath sweets etc, mind you eucalyptus - yuk!

[Bograt]

Avon 'Skin so Soft' is the favourite of Scottish fishermen to combat armies of 'midges' - which can be worse than mossies! So all the macho fishermen in Scotland have been lathering this on for years and have, only now, let us into their secret.

And therefore I have just ordered some of that. I am going to smell quite indescribable with the mixture of recommendations, nothing will come close.

[Bograt]

And therefore I have just ordered some of that. I am going to smell quite indescribable with the mixture of recommendations, nothing will come close.

Bograt, you will smell beautiful - to all except the mossies - and will have the most amazing skin!
[/quote]

I'm going to name the aromatic mix of geranium,eucalyptus, fishermens sandals and all "Eau de Bog". Who will be able to resist??

[MacManiac]

Avon 'Skin so Soft' is the favourite of Scottish fishermen to combat armies of 'midges' - which can be worse than mossies! So all the macho fishermen in Scotland have been lathering this on for years and have, only now, let us into their secret.

And therefore I have just ordered some of that. I am going to smell quite indescribable with the mixture of recommendations, nothing will come close.

Is this sold in Cyprus or do you have to order it overseas?

[kansas]

MacManiac - yes, it is sold in Cyprus but Avon have changed the formula and the packaging. I know this to my cost as I was sold some at the Duckpond market and when I got it home it was not at all like the original (I had a small amount left so I could compare), and have now ordered a bottle of the original via Ebay. Fingers crossed........

[MacManiac]

MacManiac - yes, it is sold in Cyprus but Avon have changed the formula and the packaging. I know this to my cost as I was sold some at the Duckpond market and when I got it home it was not at all like the original (I had a small amount left so I could compare), and have now ordered a bottle of the original via Ebay. Fingers crossed........

Thank you for that information.

[Bograt]

I ordered some from Amazon, it says it has citronella in it so I am hoping it is the right one.

[PW in Polemi]

I remember shortly before our first trip to Sri Lanka, the pharmacist I was quizzing about the differing insect repellents told me that taking a high dose of Vitamin B would make your skin smell offputting to the likes of mosquitoes. We tried it. Didn't notice our skin smell, but the pee was a different matter altogether! And I don't recall whether it worked or not, just that awful smell .....

[PaphosAL]

Citronella is definately the ingredient that keeps the mozzies away when applied to exposed areas like ankles, calfs, shoulders, neck, and ears before you go out in the evening.

Also, observe the locals when they're eating al fresco... Sprigs of Basil spread around and under the table, and even dangled over their ears! Flies hate basil and do a U-turn mid-air in order to find a more fly-friendly meal table to annoy diners at!

As for a decent mozzie-free night's sleep, use a plug-in insect repellant device available from all the local supermarkets. The type that has a screw-in liquid container. Switch on before you go out in the evening and leave it on all night. You can leave your window or balcony door securely cracked open, just shut the bedroom door. Mozzies will NOT pass through that ventilation gap (another mid-air U-turn as soon as they sniff that instant death lies ahead!).

Cheers- AL

[Bograt]

Have just checked what we have here and the original body oil spray does have some citronella in the list of ingredients. Seems it's been popular for longer than I thought!:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/avon-s-spr ... -1-1403152

Hurray! I will hope therefore to be kept insect free. I won't be testing it in Cyprus until September though, but at least I will be prepared.