I am the mosquito queen. I am their godess. They want to partake of my blood. Not only do I react horribly to mosquito bites (giant raised white swellings the size of quarters when I’m lucky, but which sometimes reach the size of dinner plates) but I attract them like…well like mosquitos. When I go out, I’m often covered in dozens of bites when everyone else doesn’t have any. When I went to Maui, I somehow ended up with over fifty mosquitos bites per a leg. It’s crazy.
Now I am heading to wear the mosquitos carry malaria, enchepelitus and any number of deadly fevers. I don’t want to die of some mosquito borne disease.
So I’ve read up on Buzz Off mosquito repellent clothes. I need to go travel shopping anway, but the prices are really high for someone used to shopping at thrift stores. I was looking at a pair of convertable pants, a polo shirt and a button up shirt (and a bandana for when I wear something else.
I have some questions- they reccommend a full outfit (of course they do) but is that really neccesary. Would pants and a bandana around my neck or head work? Will they work if layered under other clothes (then I could buy the cheap tee shirt and just wear stuff on top of it)? Are the clothes otherwise comfy and well made?
I’ve never heard of mosquito repellant clothes. I have no idea if they work, but I can tell you some stuff from personal experience. Depending on where exactly you are going, the ‘quack’ anti-mosquito gimmicks do less than nothing. If the bugs are going to be light, some OFF (should be at least the Deep Woods variety) should work. If they are going to be heavy then you need long pants and shirts and a head net is a good idea as well, you may also need 100% deet for your exposed areas. I know that doesn’t dound good, but last time I was in Belize that was how I spent my month (had to reapply the DEET every 3 hours).
At the very least you should be on anti malarial medication (2+ weeks before you leave). If you want to try the anti-mosquito clothes, go ahead but make sure you have a rock solid fallback position.
If you’re the mosquito queen… well… I’m royalty! Mosquitos love me… and I hate them with a passion. When I was 6 I had to go to the hospital. My eyes were swollen shut from 2 mosquito bites on my forehead.
Garlic tablets helped me a lot. It repels the mosquitos somehow. They don’t make you smell like garlic or anything. You can get them at health food stores. They don’t start working for a couple weeks.
Perfumes, scented lotions and dark clothing seem to attract mosquitos, so you might want to avoid those also.