Insect repellent

[Orchid]

I'm going to florida in June/july and was wondering if you needed to use any insect repellent like you do in some hot countries. Just checking as I don't want to be covered in bites.

Thanks.

[pieman790]

Most of the villas in the Orlando area have pool screens to keep the bugs out. Hotels dont generally have screen around their pools but you more likely to see bugs at night time
I would say as in many other hot countries you will definitly come across bugs when you are out and about. You can buy some repellents in places like Walmart, Target etc if you dont want to take your own.

[bluebirds]

Yeah i am wodering too? What insect repellant to take. How bad are the mozzies and other little critters?

[ujpest doza]

Make sure you get one that contains "Deet".

[CERICROWLEY]

You only tend to have the mozzie out early in the morning and late evening. If you are in the parks, they don't seem to bother you. Unless you are very prone to getting bitten, we have never had a real problem. Sprays and creams are widely available in Walmart or you could try Walgreens pharmacy. A good tip is to try and drink a couple of glasses of bitter lemon or tonic water, as this has quinine in which mozzies don't like. Got this tip from India. The story is that when we had a british colony in india, Gin and tonic's were very much the british thing, as they were always getting bitten by mozzies, no real drugs or anything available for this, and that is why gin & tonics and bitter lemon were very popular, as a natural remedy.

My youngest (10) has only one kidney, and tends to get a lot of cramps if we walk a lot in the parks, trying to keep her hydration levels up, we have bitter lemon is a great cure for muscle cramps as well.

[resorthomerentals]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ujpest doza
Make sure you get one that contains "Deet".

[/quote]

Deet works the best, but is not recommended for very young children. Since my kids are very fair skinned and are a favorite snack for the mosquitos, I use a product called "Bug & Sun" made by Coppertone. SPF 30 Sunscreen and bug repellant in one kid formulated lotion!

[becbecs]

We have always bought the local Insect Repellent from the country we are visiting when on Holiday. Might be a old wifes tail or something but we seem to do alright this way.

[Ray&Sarah]

Last summer I took the advice of one of the forum members and took a vitamin supplement for 2 weeks before I went, as I am prone to getting bitten (think it was vitamin B). This seemed to work a treat, so will be putting it into practice again this year, must do a search to make sure it was viamin B.[msnsmile]

[Snapper]

Denise - you can get products with different concentrations of DEET. If your children have any reactions to one of them, maybe try one with a lower DEET concentration. IMHO you don't need the 40% or 50% DEET products for Florida, much lower concentration products should be fine.

Ceri - isn't tonic water still labelled 'Indian Tonic Water' for exactly that reason. I think the idea of plenty of G&Ts instead of some spray on DEET is an excellent plan. Bring on the mozzies!!! [msntongue]

[dj_padd]

just dont go driving after taking yout new "remidy". though, if you do get pulled over you can always say it is medicaly proven to stop the mozzies and its ur subscription