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Avoiding insect bites?

(36 Posts)
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Casdon Tue 29-Jul-25 10:09:10

Has anybody got any tips? I’m always a target for little bitey things, despite wearing Skin so Soft all summer in an attempt to ward them off, but this year when I’m gardening I am being driven mad, I’ve had ant and midge bites everywhere, despite wearing long trousers and long sleeved tops.

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Patsy70 Wed 30-Jul-25 21:52:07

Avon ‘Skin so soft’, as recommended by a Scottish lady when we were plagued by midges!

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62Granny Wed 30-Jul-25 21:57:04

I have heard take vitamin B1 ( thiamine) haven't tried it as I don't get bitten in the UK and haven't been abroad for years.
"Taking vitamin B1 can help ward off mosquitoes and reduce the likelihood of insect bites."

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Altissimma Wed 30-Jul-25 23:46:58

The OP already said that she's used the Avon Skin So Soft and it hasn't worked.

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Catterygirl Wed 30-Jul-25 23:53:55

I have Skin so Soft at the ready but when sitting outside in the garden here or overseas, I make sure never to wear perfume of any kind. Think that I was bitten so badly as a young girl living in the Caribbean with my parents that I may be immune. I can’t remember the last time I was bitten by a mosquito thank goodness.

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J52 Wed 30-Jul-25 23:54:28

I use Autan insect repellent. But still get the occasional Cleg ( horsefly bite). I carry a tube of
Boots antihistamine cream and immediately dab it on, it reduces the itching and swelling.

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PamelaJ1 Thu 31-Jul-25 06:46:56

grandMattie

Stay close to someone who’s even more tasty than you ? 😂

That will be me then.
Outside yesterday the little *** were all over me. Not one round my husband. I spent quite a while wondering how to make a net that would go over our sun umbrella. I had sprayed myself with jungle formula, they seemed to love it!

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yogitree Thu 31-Jul-25 09:52:25

Casdon I generally put it at 'joint' areas such as elbows, knees, ankles as well as neck and feet if bare in sandals.

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Seabreeze Thu 31-Jul-25 10:53:16

AuntieE Yes cold vinegar compress helped a little. Took antihistamines at night. Can’t take them during the day as I have an over reaction to any medication so would fall asleep within minutes of taking them. After 3 days the intense itching has almost subsided but my poor ankles look like a war zone.

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SilverFoxette75 Fri 01-Aug-25 11:47:31
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I bought this on amazon the other day, it has great reviews. I haven’t had a chance to use it yet as it only just arrived. You zap the bite as soon as you realise you’ve been bitten or stung.

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FranP Sun 03-Aug-25 22:34:16

grandMattie

Stay close to someone who’s even more tasty than you ? 😂

Exactly what my DH does, it does seem that they swerve around him to get to me!
Partial success with a lemon water spray bought in a Portuguese supermarket, I spray it around me when gardening.

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