Straight dope on Marmite and mosquitoes.

[legion]

I read in todays paper that eating marmite for a couple of weeks helps to repel mosquitoes.

As I usually find myself to be a "walking buffet" for mosquitoes while on holiday, I would be prepared to fight my natural revulsion of Marmite and consume some before this years holiday.

Do any Dopers out there have first hand knowledge that consumption of Marmite leads to no mozzie bites?

[Martha Medea]

Sounds like a variation on the belief that a diet deficient in vitamin B6 makes you more susceptible. If this is true, vegetarians are more prone to getting bitten, and taking B6 supplements and/or eating marmite is supposed to compensate. If you are a meat eater and eat extra B6 or marmite maybe the effect is enhanced? I have no idea. I take vitamin B supplements and eat marmite most days (I am a veggie) and although I'm not a mozzie magnet I still get bitten. You're better off investing in a good repellent.

[TheLoadedDog]

Some Australians swear smearing yourself with a Vegemite (similar stuff) warpaint will keep the mosquitos away.

The only one I ever met that actually did this is utterly eccentric though.