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Gardening

Avoiding insect bites?

(35 Posts)
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.

yogitree Tue 29-Jul-25 12:43:04

I use Autan stick to good effect.

Casdon Tue 29-Jul-25 15:20:29

Thanks, I’ll definitely try that - do you just use it on your hands, face and ankles, or everywhere? I seem to have been bitten in the weirdest places, like behind my knee, on my back etc., I can’t work out how they are getting to me.

Samsara1 Tue 29-Jul-25 15:27:03

Me too I was absolutely covered in bites gained on the golf course a few weeks ago which are still not healed. I put Jungle Formula on to no effect. I expect they are getting resistant.

Oreo Tue 29-Jul-25 15:31:11

They seem to love some humans don’t they? I rarely get bothered by insects but they home in on DP by the handful.
He’s given up on using anything.

crazygranmda Wed 30-Jul-25 13:47:34

DD introduced me to to PESTECTS Mosquito Repellent Bracelets. Lovely plaited leather bracelets. I feel a bit as if I've returned to my hippie days but no more bites!!! You can also buy spray to recharge them.

Seabreeze Wed 30-Jul-25 13:55:06

Not mosquitoes but red ant bites to my ankles. Lethal things. Redness and swelling up to my calf. The itch is driving me crazy. Nothing seems to help.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 30-Jul-25 14:00:52

I use a combination of anti-bug bands (ankles) leather Bear Grylls anti mosquito bracelets wrists and liberally spraying anti-bug spray extra strong with deet. I still get bitten 🤬🦟

If a mosquito/ant/bug of any sort is in the same country as me then it will bite me.

My skin reacts really badly, I have to take strong antihistamines.

Bookfan Wed 30-Jul-25 14:05:52

Have heard good reports about using Avon Skin so Soft spray .

AuntieE Wed 30-Jul-25 14:36:54

Seabreeze

Not mosquitoes but red ant bites to my ankles. Lethal things. Redness and swelling up to my calf. The itch is driving me crazy. Nothing seems to help.

Have you tried antihistamines? Or dabbing the bite with vinegar? The effect of the last is short-lived, but it does give a respite.

IMO everything sold as bug repellents are a waste of money.

Sadly, if you want to garden, go for country walks, sleep with a window open in hot weather, you will be eaten alive, irrespective of what you wear.

grandMattie Wed 30-Jul-25 14:45:48

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

Bazza Wed 30-Jul-25 14:53:08

I’ve only had one bite all summer but the itching has driven me mad until I found an old bottle of TCP, my mum’s cure for all illls. A cotton pad and I couple of applications did the job very well well.

Snowbelle Wed 30-Jul-25 14:54:29

Apply jungle formula as you would do perfume ie inner wrist and behind ears also ankles. The same effect as perfume the warm blood close to the surface causes evaporation and the insects detect the aroma. Or wear mosquito net sleeves and leg covers and use a hat or all of the above. Hydrocortisone cream for the bites which do occur.

LindaJ Wed 30-Jul-25 15:11:29

Smidge insect repellent - formulated originally for scottish midges but works for all biting insects - can highly recommend. Link for their website below - also available on the big South American river site.
www.smidgeup.com

Time2 Wed 30-Jul-25 16:42:10

'crazygranmda' you mention that you can buy spray to recharge the bracelets, can I ask please, do you use the 'Insect Repellent Spray' that they have on the site to do this, or something else?

Smelps Wed 30-Jul-25 19:01:26

I was recommended using lemon shower gel. The original source one. So far, for me, it has worked like a dream … not one bite since and it smells lovely - cheap too.

Astitchintime Wed 30-Jul-25 19:14:01

Eat LOTS of raw onions……many years ago I used to holiday in rural France and we would BBQ every day and have salads containing onion, lunch was also a chunk of baguette with slices of tomatoes and raw onions……there may have been some cheeses too. But We very soon noticed that the insect bites were no longer a nuisance……..and we put it down to the onions. Whether it was coincidental who knows……but they sure tasted blooming good! 🧅🍅🧅🍔🥖🥖🍅🍔🥩🥩

petra Wed 30-Jul-25 19:19:55

Bookfan

Have heard good reports about using Avon Skin so Soft spray .

It works for my friend. Cheap as chips in Superdrug.

Greyjoy1953 Wed 30-Jul-25 19:49:55

Boots do an after sun lotion called Soltan after sun. With insect repellent. I out it on everyday as a body lotion and it keeps me free of bites. I use it all year.

Casdon Wed 30-Jul-25 20:04:24

Thanks all, there are some good suggestions here for me to have a go with. I have my fingers crossed, but not ankles because some little biter has got me three time right on my Achilles tendon this afternoon

Penygirl Wed 30-Jul-25 21:15:06

I use the Pestects bracelets too. For me the advantage is that once I’m wearing one I can forget about the need to apply anything else. They’re not perfect but a whole lot better than without them.

win Wed 30-Jul-25 21:29:18

Avon's Skin so soft is a mosquito repellent and works, it is also lovely on your skin and smells of lemon just great.

win Wed 30-Jul-25 21:31:43

Bookfan

Have heard good reports about using Avon Skin so Soft spray .

Sorry only just saw you posted that before me. At least we agree it works.

grannyqueenie Wed 30-Jul-25 21:32:50

grandmattie that’s a strategy that has served my dh well for years!

NanKate Wed 30-Jul-25 21:38:46

To stop the itching of my many bites, I used Anthisan from Boots.