San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu
Your help and reviews are required => Information and help please => Topic started by: mike30542 on June 01, 2012, 06:14:16 PM
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How much of a problem are mosqitoes in June?
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A big problem, take a lot of repellent, you'll need it.
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Think they're a problem anytime
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Definitely a problem. Tend to find them worse from early evening onwards. Plenty on repellent required!
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Funny, that. I find Ag Stef more or less mosquito-free :-)
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I've always found the opposite Jimbo - take the jungle formula and Boots after sun with insect repellant - and voila - say No to Mossies!
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Plug ins in your room a must as well.
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When we last visited in June 2010 they were a nightmare!
Defo the worst we've encountered in 20 years in the Med.
And yes we spray every evening after showering with Autan - tried the smelly stuff they sell in the supermarkets in San Stef as well.
Seriously, prob the worst ever - and we used to visit Torrevieja in Spain 3 times/year staying right by the salt lakes there and that wasn't as bad as SS.
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In ss now. Not too bad at mo though to be honest they r only biting 2 of our party. The other 3 have only the odd bite.
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I have quite a reaction to mozzie bites so have experimented with various products over the years. In san stef I find mozzies are a bit of a problem (usually travel in July Aug period.) For me I keep coming back to the Jungle formula high strength lotion. I know deet is an issue with some, but for those, like me, who have an allergic reaction jungle juice is a must! I find dusk and early hrs of darkness are the most likely times to be bitten.Antihistamine's can help if bites do become a problem.
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I always get bitten really badly almost wherever I go so I went well prepared last year. Malc never gets bitten but he got bitten really bad in SS. I use Jungle Formula. I hate using it but I hate getting bitten too.
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That's the one I use Sellsy . I always have to use deet . I preferred it when it had an alcohol base though. I don't like the greasy formula but I still use it !
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Thanks to all for your replies.
I had hoped to be told they were not a problem until later in the season but forewarned is forearmed. I have used Mosi-guard roll-on repellent in the past & will be taking that plus the Soltan after sun with insect bite protection (as mentioned by Debra) & Boots bite & sting relief liquid. Also have a couple of plug-in repellents. Hopefully will remember to use the stuff before getting bit. I do intend to take the names of any of the little buggers that by-pass my defences: lol.
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I'm lucky enough not to be generally bitten - but after living in the African bush for four years (where bite might = malaria) I do have a bit of understanding.
It's possible, but unlikely, to get bitten in the daytime.
Just before sunset the little ******s wake up and need to feed. They generally seem to prefer munching women (as do I!).
I always wear long trousers, socks, long-sleeved shirt in the evening, put some Jungle on the wrists. They usually go off and bite somebody in a mini-skirt!
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I usually use jungle extra strength which works well but last year I bought some stuffoff ebay called Repel 100 or 55 which is either 100% deet which is supposed to sting a bit but VERY effective if you have problems with getting bit. I bought the 55 which is 55% deet and nobody in our group got bit once whilst in Arillas. Its worth a try and not expensive.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=160813842011
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I suffer mosquito bites every year and I am allergic to them. 2 years on trot had to have steroid injections from the local doc!! Have tried everything but I find the Jungle sprays are very good, but you need to spray as soon as it gets dusk. If I do get bitten I start to take Piriton tablets straight away and they usually work. We use the plug ins but still find mossies flying around the room, so best thing is keep doors and windows shut as soon as it gets dusk. Oh and they don't seem to like air conditioning.
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Take your Jungle Formula out with you as well so you can top up if needed. Roy never gets bit and he puts it down to eating marmite.
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Speros (Nafsika) told us to go and buy cheap insect spray and always spray the room as we go out in the evening. Windows closed etc. Plus, I never even go out on the balcony without jungle formula and also the Soltan insect repellant after sun on. Following this I have managed to beat the little b's for last 4 visits! Someone also told me that Avon SKIN SO SOFT - DRY OIL BODY SPRAY IS GOOD TO USE TOO. So, I NEVER wear perfume (the mossies love that) and spray with Avon! I am definitely prepared. Got a bite by a horsefly on my foot on the beach 5 years ago - blimey that really did hurt!
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I am also lucky, I have never had a mozzie bite in Ag. Stef, (in 27 years now), but Linda does get the odd bite though!
Mozzies are a pain, but they like the freshly sunned the best, when skin is reddish, and you have just arrived, I find.
Eat lots of garlic, some say marmite - but it's pot luck - just use the spray!
I always use a mozzie spray there, but I think maybe because I take anti-histamine all summer helps as well.
We always use a plug-in (liquid) in the room as well.
Just sensible precautions.
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Speros (Nafsika) told us to go and buy cheap insect spray and always spray the room as we go out in the evening. Windows closed etc. Plus, I never even go out on the balcony without jungle formula and also the Soltan insect repellant after sun on. Following this I have managed to beat the little b's for last 4 visits! Someone also told me that Avon SKIN SO SOFT - DRY OIL BODY SPRAY IS GOOD TO USE TOO. So, I NEVER wear perfume (the mossies love that) and spray with Avon! I am definitely prepared. Got a bite by a horsefly on my foot on the beach 5 years ago - blimey that really did hurt!
Speros gave us the same advice and it works well!!
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I would say try all the above, and stick with whatever works - funnily enough - I get gnat bites at home but not mozzies - strange!
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Ive heard that coating yourself in the juice of a Kumquat wards them off!!
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Ive heard that coating yourself in the juice of a Kumquat wards them off!!
I always wondered why I never get bit. Now I know it is down to the copious amounts of Kumquaut jam I consume at a certain hotel in San Stefanos.On second thoughts this is a very old story and probably best if it is not revisited.
Yammas
Yiannis
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is that because someone got better jam - - - or more - - - perhaps?
- - - no surely not - - - back to the post!
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Hi
My wife reacts very badly to mozzy bites but the last couple of times we have been she has been ok. Two weeks before we go and while we are there we take vitamin B1 and garlic tablets, and use a 100% deet spray.
Works for us
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The mossies are extremely voracious at the moment and were very obvious at dinner at the LP last night. I was bitten three times the first night after stupidly forgetting to put on the spray ??? They still got me twice the second night in spite of being covered in the stuff and a small bite to the forehead last night, the only bit of me not sprayed. As ever, Beryl has not been bitten. The wing commander in charge of the mosquito squadrons must be telling them to target the big ugly Scotsman, he's an easy target ;D Anyway, we now need to buy more spray, perhaps taking a flamethrower to the reeds might also help!!!
We got our own back a bit last night, managing to kill a few at the table, one was trying to drink my Mythos, completely unforgiveable!
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It always amazes me how some people are never bothered by mosquito's and others are plagued night after night! As I fall in the latter category I feel unfairly treated! It appears that some people just smell more attractive to the things, a mixture of sweat and carbon dioxide I believe? Anyhow I'm sure I read that many of the recommended home grown protective measures, garlic, vitamins etc have never been scientifically proven to work. However if something appears to work for you I guess that's all that matters! For me its DEET it makes me less attractive to mozzies and the missus! As all biting mosquito's are female, I wonder if its just a woman thing!
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Wondered what that pong was that used to float round the Romanza around 7pm each night........reminded me of muck spreading in Thirsk!!
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Wondered what that pong was that used to float round the Romanza around 7pm each night........reminded me of muck spreading in Thirsk!!
Gav
Now you know why the mosquitos keep well away.
An added bonus is being a Yorkshire lad the fresh countryside smell stops me getting homesick.
I better just clarify one small point which may stop you being barred when you return to the Romanza.It is not Nitsas Kumquat jam you can smell.It is that well known skin softener that is said to protect you from mosquitos.I was told from a trusted source that its main ingredient is Essence of Yorkshire Dung.
Yammas
Yiannis
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We get bitten on the odd occassion but find the Jungle Formula and taking anti histimines starting a few days before we go usually works. Last August we didn't get a single bite in 2 weeks.
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we used the avon skin so soft, was recomended to us by a forester from scotland, they all use it.It seams to work well for us.
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I know I sound like a bit of a whinger, but I also got bitten/stung by something in the sea last year. It wasn't a jelly fish but something actually in the sand on the sea bed itself. (Any ideas?). Within minutes my foot had swollen up like a balloon. I do also use Boots anti histamine cream for bites and that is fairly quick acting if you do get bitten and have an allergic reaction to bites/stings.
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I was stung under my foot by a dead wasp or bee a few years back, right on the water-line of the beach.
Well it was dead after anyway!
Really painful! foot swelled up for a day or two - maybe that's it!
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It could well be Tony. Unfortunately these things can't be avoided wherever you go. Just painful and inconvenient when it happens, especially when you can't get your high heels on!
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I must remember to - - - or was it not to - - - wear high heels then - - LOL
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:)
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Last week I used Boots aftersun with repellant and Jungle Formula (medium) and didn't get bitten once, Jackie just had 1 bite on each hand and that was all.
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Richard - rumour has it that you were the one that bit her - - LOL
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Sea Cucumbers - read Grandma Unplugged Blogspot for all to do with it....?????
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Over the last few years we've taken lots of advice and this combination seems to work really well for us:
1. Start taking a one-a-day antihistamine tablet 2 weeks before you depart (this doesn't stop bites, but does help with the reaction if you get bitten), we use the one beginning with a 'P'
2. Also, start taking a one-a-day vitamin B complex tablet at the same time (this one appently helps with the prevention)
3. Finally use an aftersun with a mosquitoe repellant.
Continue with the above throughout the holiday and use a plug-in in your room as backup. Over the last few years this combination has worked really well for the two of us. It cuts down the number of bites and it really helps with the reaction you get; its almost non existent. I think last year I ended up with a single bit over the two weeks in September and it was quite damp at times (the weather that is!!).
As always, I'm sure there are health warnings about mixing drugs etc, so read the small print first. Hopefully it will help you as much as it has for us. :)
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That's pretty good advice, but be careful with taking Piriton Anti-histamine tablets, they definitely make you drowsy.
They are banned by my Company's Occupational Health Doctors for that reason.
I have to deal with medications at work for my staff, who all work in safety critical jobs.
There are plenty of good alternatives, over the counter, which are much, much better.
I personally take one called Fexofenadine 120mg, the generic name, it's very effective and non-drowsy.
I have never been bitten
This and other brand name ones work well.
You do as richnsare say, need to take them for around 2 weeks as they rely on building up in your body, and they don't work like asprin etc, by taking one as required.
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All good advice. It's probably a no-brainer, but sitting as far away from flower-pots and foliage when having evening meals is a good idea.
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Good advice from Jimbo, I'd sit AD far away from flowerpots too!!
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When you've "AD" a few it seems!!
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Aloe Vera is supposed to be very good for mosqito bites.
If you can get the gel from actual plants and put it on as soon as you can I've read it can be very effective.
Am going to give it a try this year.
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Rob - I am going to try once more - - -to not get a bite.
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Piriton and alcohol taken at the same time is not recommended.
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No commmmment.
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Nonsense.
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Nonsense.
Well I respect your opinion,
but the medical fraternity disagree.
check http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/allergy-and-asthma/medicines/piriton.html
Quote:
Piriton allergy tablets and Piriton syrup both contain the active ingredient chlorphenamine maleate (previously spelt chlorpheniramine in the UK), which is a type of medicine called a sedating antihistamine. (NB. Chlorphenamine is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Chlorphenamine works by preventing the actions of histamine.
Alcohol is not recommended by the manufacturer, although when Piriton was the only one available, years ago,
I used to take them eventually got used to them, and then I'd drink a few pints - - slept well though!!
These days it is on the list of banned medication by many companies, including Tfl, all railway companies and anyone doing safety critical work.
Also:
From the NHS - - http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?condition=Allergic%20conditions&medicine=Chlorphenamine%20Maleate&preparation=Chlorphenamine%204mg%20tablets
Quote:
Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
In the case of Chlorphenamine maleate:
this medicine interacts with alcohol
You should seek advice from your prescriber as to whether you may drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
There again the Doctors say everything is bad for you so - - - - your choice.
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No commmmment.
Really - - - - LOL
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My hubby drank alcohol after taken Piriton and he had severe hallucinations so just passing on to be careful whilst having them with both. This is my opinion anyway.
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Oh dear, I meant no offence and certainly can not give medical advice, but;
1. Alcohol can make you hallucinate
2. Antihistamine can cause drowsiness
3. If you are a pilot,bus/train/taxi/truck/or any other driver be aware of side effects of any tablets you take
4. Alcohol can be bad for you, even without other tablets
5. If you are on Holliday drowsiness may not be a problem
Hint- look at the antihistamine in Piriton, and then go to Asda and buy the same tablets for a fraction of the price.
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Alcohol & Piriton = hallucinations? I must be do something wrong as I take the tablets an havy plenty to drink on holiday and have never had one hallucination! Note to self - must drink more!
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Think I'll just stay off of the......Piriton and stick with the alcohol! Sidenote.. we are off to Gran Canaria on Monday and the reps tell you that they don't have pests like mosquitos, but they do have pests..they are called Time Share Touts! :)
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There are plenty of alternatives to Piriton and just as effective - and more alcohol friendly, just as your local chemist.
Jules- - - you've been on the magic mushrooms again - I bet - - - LOL
(PS - - send me some!!)