Mosquito advice

[niandsa]

I have just got my first allotment and everytime I have been down there I have been besieged by mosquitos. There are literally scores of them hovering around me at all times. I have Jungle Formula roll on with 50% deet but despite this I got bitten over 80 times on my neck and back on Saturday (the little b*ggers must have got inside my top) I also have bites on my face and arms and even in my hair!

The site chair did warn me about them prior to taking on the plot but I had no idea they would be this bad! I need to find a solution otherwise my enjoyment of the plot is ruined before I even start!

I will be asking anyone I see down the allotments but what do you all use to stop getting bitten?

[PyreneesPlot]

Horrible for you
You need to find the source of stagnant water that they are breeding in and cover it if it is waterbutts or otherwise solve the problem. I don't know where you are, but even down here in sw France there are some nasty illnesses carried by mosquitos.
Is it in the allotments or outside? Sounds like it might be an environmental health issue as it is that bad. At least they should go with the colder weather.

[Bigmallly]

I don't know what scientific evidence is behind it but everytime I went abroad, I took a packet of Brewers Yeast Tablets & they worked a treat. I believe it gets into skin which then repels the mozzies.

[Bigmallly]

https://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/201...ects/J1321.pdf

[bearded bloke]

As PP says above probably the best thing is to find what is attracking them & removing it, is it just your plot or the site in general ?
I see from a previous post you are in NW England, some of our Scottish members might have ideas on this as I believe they sometimes suffer from invasions of midges.

[Alison]

OH goes mountain biking in Scotland quite a lot and was recommended Avon's Skin So Soft. Apparently the midges don't like it but I'd agree with comments about finding the source. Assuming you're in the UK your problem shouldn't be that bad!

[muddled]

Avon do a suncream that a lot of my friends swear by as a gnat and skeeto repellant.

I was given a tip from a plotter at my first ever allotment.
Stan had contracted malaria while interred as a POW by Japan. He told me that all those years later, he would get flare ups if he got mosquito bites at the plot. So despite absolutely hating the stuff, he always ate marmite on his toast!
Lucky for me, I love marmite....and I very rarely suffer with gnat bites.
Got to be worth a try?

[veggiechicken]

I don't know what scientific evidence is behind it but everytime I went abroad, I took a packet of Brewers Yeast Tablets & they worked a treat. I believe it gets into skin which then repels the mozzies.

I was given a tip from a plotter at my first ever allotment.
Stan had contracted malaria while interred as a POW by Japan. He told me that all those years later, he would get flare ups if he got mosquito bites at the plot. So despite absolutely hating the stuff, he always ate marmite on his toast!
Lucky for me, I love marmite....and I very rarely suffer with gnat bites.
Got to be worth a try?

Both made from Brewer's yeast

[Bigmallly]

OH goes mountain biking in Scotland quite a lot and was recommended Avon's Skin So Soft.

Gees, that rolls back the years Alison, I used to use that about 30 years ago. I can't remember why though.....................

[Lisasbolt]

Lots of people use avon over here as well, swear by it. The english shop is always out of stock.
I have not used it but there is a great spray over here, it works a treat for me.
Like others said get rid of the source if you can

[Aberdeenplotter]

OH goes mountain biking in Scotland quite a lot and was recommended Avon's Skin So Soft. Apparently the midges don't like it but I'd agree with comments about finding the source. Assuming you're in the UK your problem shouldn't be that bad!

I'm told even the SAS use it

[niandsa]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I cannot remove the source, the site is near a marsh which is renowned for the problem. The council have tried many things to help such as spraying at different times and flooding the area more to reduce the issue but nothing really works.

I will cover up a couple of open water butts on my plot and buy some skin so soft to try and see how I get on. I am hoping they will die off soon when we get the first frosts.

[Plot10]

Interestingly, this documentary was on BBC Scotland last night

BBC iPlayer - Search - The Secret Life of Midges

Apparently people who are rarely bitten have a higher level of a repellent chemical in their blood.