The requested URL /forums/index.php?/topic/805627-natural-mosquito-repellents/ was not found on this server.I am from Minnesota-thus, I have an extremely intimate relationship with mosquitos. Especially given the time I spend up in the north woods. I’ll never forget the evening I was visiting with an out-of-state friend and, without even thinking about it, idly clapped a mosquito straight out of the air that she hadn’t even seen. She was quite impressed as I continued to do this throughout the night. Detecting, deterring, and ridding the area of mosquitos is something us Minnesotans learn to do practically before we learn to walk. Female mosquitos are attracted to us, and other animals, for our blood. They take about 3 milligrams per bite, and use the iron and proteins in it to develop their eggs. The mosquito doesn’t actually “bite” of course. She pokes around with her proboscis (a long, needle like mouth part) and finds a blood vessel close to the skin. She then punctures the skin with her proboscis, and sucks out the blood.
The irritation that comes after the mosquito bite is the result of the mosquito’s saliva, which acts as an anti-coagulant that keeps the blood flowing while she’s feeding. The human body reacts to the foreign saliva by releasing histamines, organic compounds that (put very simply) regulate inflammation. The itchy swollen red bump (called a wheal) that raises up becomes a bullseye target for your itching and scratching. A dab of apple cider vinegar may help with inflammation and itching-especially the itching. I couldn’t tell you exactly why it works, but it does. It’s just one of those things. If you’ve scratched at the bite and it’s open, this will sting. Sometimes even that is preferable to the infuriating itch you’re feeling though! Soak a cotton ball in the ACV and squeeze out the excess so it’s not dripping all over the place. Press over the bug bite for 5 seconds or so. Repeat if needed (which it probably will be.) When it starts to really drive you nuts, break out the ice.
The coolness reduces the hot, uncomfortable inflammation, and numbs the area enough to drive away the sensation of itching for the time being. It can get a little messy, but I prefer to place an ice cube directly on the bite, versus putting some in a plastic bag and holding it on. Hold the ice on the bite until the ice cube melts-or at least until it’s halfway melted. It’s really not an exact science. The same as icing it-only with a cucumber instead of ice. And with less mess. It’s not *as* effective, in my personal experience, but other people experience the opposite-where the cucumber is more effective than the ice. It’s a matter of trial and error, as everybody is going to respond differently. Cucumbers do have an anti-inflammatory constituent known as fisetin, which has been shown to inhibit several inflammatory causing cytokines. Cytokines are basically a broad and generalized group of proteins that signal cells to act a certain way. I would think you’d have to ingest the cucumber to get these benefits, but if your bites are terrible and you’re desperate for relief, feel free to see if it helps with the itching.
(And do report back, as I am curious to see if this would have any effect-although I suspect you’d need to consumer quite a few.) Slice up a cucumber and store the slices in the refrigerator. When you need it, hold the slice over the bite until the itching stops. It’s cool, soothing, and unlike the ice the cucumber won’t melt against your skin (and if it does you have bigger worries than a mosquito bite) so simply hold it there until you get relief. This one is good if you’re REALLY in a pinch. Apply some (organic) peppermint toothpaste to the affected area. It can help take the bite (pun totally intended) out of the itchiness. The menthol in the peppermint will create a cooling sensation that can bring you some measure of relief until a more formal (for lack of a better word) remedy becomes available. Dab a small amount of toothpaste over the bite and spread it in a thin layer. Before reapplying, rinse the old stuff off first.I am NEVER with lemons on hand-especially if I know I am going to be getting eaten alive by mosquitos.
Honestly, I think the sting, or potential to sting, is what takes away some of the discomfort, as odd as that sounds. It may also help prevent bacteria from entering or irritating the area if you’ve scratched it open. -A lemon OR lemon juice, if you don’t have the fresh fruit on hand. Cut a slice of lemon, then wrap the rest of the fruit and stick it in the fridge for a later use. Rinse the bite with cool water, pat dry, and then squeeze a few drop of lemon juice out directly onto the bite. Alternatively squeeze it into a bowl, then use a cotton ball (or your clean fingers) and dab it on. Ever get the feeling that you’re getting singled out when you go camping? Like all of your friends are untouched by mosquitos, and you must have sweet blood because you’re getting eaten alive? It turns out, it may not all be in your head. Studies have shown that mosquitos will land on folks with blood type O nearly twice as often as people with blood type A. Based on other genes, about 85% of people secrete a chemical signal through their skin that tells what blood type you have.
Mosquitos seem to favor them, versus the 15% who kept their blood type “secret.” So, the world is a wildly unfair place, and mosquitos might just like you more than everyone else on your camping trip. (You may also like: 4 Homemade Traps to Get Rid of Fruit Flies) P.S. Click here to download my free Coconut Oil eBook. It has over 107 everyday coconut oil uses, including uses for- weight loss, pet health, hair, skin, house cleaning, pests, DIY beauty products and so much more. + Make sure to claim your free jar of organic coconut oil (while supplies last) Claire is a lover of life, the natural world, and wild blueberries. On the weekend you can find her fiddling in the garden, playing with her dogs, and enjoying the great outdoors with her horse. Claire is very open-minded, ask her anything 🙂 Meet Claire We Want to Hear from You! Let us know which remedies work and do not work for you, ask a question or leave a comment:-Arche NoahArcadia HostelArco IrisAqua Hostal ValleduparBidea HostelBuga HostelCasa BeulaCandelos HostelCarpe Diem HostelCasaCarola B&BCasa Colibri MincaCasas ColoráCasa de los Santos ReyesCasa de NellyCasa ElementoCasa en el aguaCasa GregorioChoibanaCoffee Town HostelCosteño Beach SurfcampDC Bushcraft & SurvivalDreamer Hostel Santa MartaDreamer Hostel PalominoEl Jardin HostalEl NomadaEl Viajero CaliEl Viajero CartagenaEl Viajero San AndresFinca RomeliaGolden Elephant HostelHacienda VeneciaHappiness Hostel RiohachaHostal Casa BaluarteHostal La Finca - Culturas UnidasHostel Tralala SalentoJackie’s HostelKasaGuaneKolibri HostelLa Candelaria Coffee FarmLa Casa De HerciliaLa Casa del Viajero MompoxLa Laguna HostalLa NiñaLa Pacha HostelLa
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The sun goes down between 6 and 7pm (depending on the time of the year) and comes up between 5:30 and 6 am. Be aware: The sandflies and mosquitos are an super active when the sun is going down or coming up.In general everyone buys expensive products like DEET, Antibrumm, Nobite, ... in their country back home but you can also fight against those mini-fuckers in a cheaper way:Buy Nopikex @ Colombian pharmacy / supermarket (price between 3.000 and 5.000 cop, in soaps or sprays).Buy Menticol @ Colombian supermarket / supermarket (price 7.900-8.1750 cop, liquid 250ml).-> Mix these two liquids 1 & 2 together and spray it on your body.TIPSIn the jungle: Go to the outdoor toilet and pull your pants down around your knees WITHOUT any light on!Always try to sleep in a bed with mosquito net, preferably with a companion who's willing to watch and swat while you sleep ! This is called TRUE LOVE!A ventilator, citronella or vitamin B1 tablets (which you need to start taking one or two weeks before you go to an area with lots of mosquitoes) can help too.
Don't forget to take one tablet a day because the vitamin B1 is quickly out of your blood. You can also choose for a vitamin B1 injection.You can also protect your clothes against mosquitoes by using a spray (it lasts for 4 weeks)! Buy a spray online here. AGAINST ITCHINGUse this -> Curarina (@ Colombian health shop) or use Euceta (50 ml = 6,60 € in Belgian chemists but probably buyable all over the world) which is the best product to sooth mosquito bites and sunburn! Ingredients like chamomile flowers helps swelling and skin irritations to disappear and gives a refreshing feeling. Arnika is a plant that has been valued for centuries and speeds the disappearance of bruises, spots and swelling.You can put some VapoRub (Vick: camphor, menthol, eucalyptus) on your bites to cool them down. You can find it in any drugstore for 2.500 cop. Another local product is Caladryl which you can find in all supermarkets. Available in transparent or pink colored cream for 7.540 cop (100 ml).CHIKUNGUNYAThe Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is associated with fever and joint pain and transmitted by mosquitoes.
The disease is also called bowed man. Since 2013 there were reported cases for the first time in South America.The exact diagnosis can be made only by blood tests.Where: Santander, Atlantico, Bolivar, Magdalena, ... What can you do: use lots of mosquito repelent! Especially at the time around 5pm when mosquitos are the most active. Symptoms: joint pain in the hands and feet that starts 3 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito; joint swelling and rash. The presentation of Chikungunya is similar to Dengue. What can you do when you have it: there is no real medication to treat it or to avoid it. Take paracetamol against the pain and to reduce fever. Sleep and drink enough water! It is not contagious!MALARIAIn regions with Malaria, it is important to prevent oneself from being bitten by mosquitos between sunset and sunrise. It is advisable to smear on mosquito repellent containing 30-50% DEET. At night it is preferable to cover your naked skin with clothing (long sleeves, long pants, socks, closed shoes).