I don't know if this topic has been covered on here before, but is there any cure for midgie bites or more importantly, keeping the little suckers from biting in the first place.
On our first visit to the North in 2006, I was told to get the vitamin B into me which I did around six weeks prior. To be honest, I had not a problem with midgies or mosquitos but they tend to impede my sleep a bit.
In 2008 we set off again and my first bite was at Karumba and it never ceased until we left Darwin a month or so later. I ended up on antibiotics, the bites being so bad, poisoned the system I am afraid.
I have tried a lot of lotions and potions but to no avail. I am hoping the combined mite on this forum may hold the secret.
We are going again next year and if I hear of nothing else, I will go back to the vitamin B for sure, combined with a sedative.
JRH said
08:22 PM Jul 31, 2009
Make sure you have the vitamin B1 and not just vitamin B. I believe you can have an injection from you local GP and then take 1 vitamin B1 tablet each day. We have used B1 for many years now and I have to say it works for us.
Wombat 280 said
08:55 PM Jul 31, 2009
My wife starts taking the Telfast tabs about a week or so before exposure doesn't stop the little suckers biting but prevent the big red and itchy spot coming up . There are two types or strengths she takes the larger one. WE once had access to insect repellent which contained DEET but I think it has been removed from sale. The tropical strength repellents are of some help as a preventative measure . Females appear to be more susceptible to bites and adverse reactions than males for some scientifically unexplained reason
dave06 said
09:13 PM Jul 31, 2009
sorry, I use bushmans to stop them in the first place, but I'll bet you a dollar to a dog biscuit that Xina has an answer for you
Dragonfly said
09:20 PM Jul 31, 2009
Dettol mixed with baby oil... not sure of the quantities, sorry... and rubbed onto exposed skin. That and time, most people over time gain a tolerance to the bite of the little critters.
Ma said
09:41 PM Jul 31, 2009
Not 100% sure but I think I saw some Bushman's with DEET in Charlies Bait and Tackle in Bateman's Bay this morning......round $15.95 a can
xina said
09:45 PM Jul 31, 2009
dave06 wrote:
sorry, I use bushmans to stop them in the first place, but I'll bet you a dollar to a dog biscuit that Xina has an answer for you
You're right there Dave, but Dragonfly beat me to it. I've posted it before, but I too can't remember off-hand the Quantities at the moment. When I get time, I'll go back and look for them. Used to use it for all bighties up Cape York when I lived there.
Just found it! The ratio was [I think] 2-1, Oil-Dettol. On Page 31, Road Ranger also posted the address of a guy who used to make and sell a product that RR said was excellent.
Cheers, xina.
-- Edited by xina on Friday 31st of July 2009 10:02:42 PM
Freddos future said
11:16 AM Aug 1, 2009
Go to a HORSELAND store and buy "Nature's Botanical" Rosemary & Cedarwood (oils in a natural creme). I works fanastic with mossies. Let me know if it works as well on Midgies, we're on our way to Tin Can Bay and last time there I forgot to bring it along and I was eaten alive. Cheers, The Freddos
Cruising Granny said
11:45 AM Aug 1, 2009
xina wrote:
dave06 wrote:
sorry, I use bushmans to stop them in the first place, but I'll bet you a dollar to a dog biscuit that Xina has an answer for you
You're right there Dave, but Dragonfly beat me to it. I've posted it before, but I too can't remember off-hand the Quantities at the moment. When I get time, I'll go back and look for them. Used to use it for all bighties up Cape York when I lived there.
Just found it! The ratio was [I think] 2-1, Oil-Dettol. On Page 31, Road Ranger also posted the address of a guy who used to make and sell a product that RR said was excellent.
Cheers, xina.
-- Edited by xina on Friday 31st of July 2009 10:02:42 PM
You can also add Citronella to the mix. I take a Mega B everyday and have done since I knew I was heading to the Kimberleys in 1996. My first confrontation with sandflies did result in blisters and infection, but after that all I did was wash the stinging off with water and no more problems. The mozzies don't affect me at all. If they keep you awake just dab some of the mixture on your ears and neck. Sweet dreams. Cheers Chris
Firefly said
01:46 PM Aug 1, 2009
Thanks guys, thats a great help and I will get back onto the Vitamin B1 for sure.
Nothing seemed to work last time, I had the Bushmans with Deet and every other mix on the planet. I think I was just too far gone to notice if it helped. Certainly does with mozzies and flies for sure.
I had heard of the Detol and oil, will mix a lot of that as well and might try the Natures Botanical over this summer break and see what it does.
Robbo3 said
03:48 PM Aug 2, 2009
Dettol and baby oil are the go, 50/50 mix. It is greasy and smells but it works.
twobob said
07:53 PM Aug 2, 2009
Vitamin B is the cure for bites no mistake, expecially for woman, as they tend to be low in it, normally.
This produces a "odour" on the skin that the insects do not like, not that we will smell it, but they do.
While that takes care of 90% of bites, it does not stop that annoying buzz around you as you try to sleep. I use the Sandlewood insect sticks around the doors or openings to prevent them entering. They are good as you can use them indoors as well, without the headache that other commercial burning sticks seem to give. Nice smelling too.
Neem and Citronella oils are good mossie repelant,and if you are bitten, use vingar on the site and this should prevent a rash.
In really bad areas, "Bushmans" is effective. Have used "Vicks" when there was nothing else available, also effective.
xina said
08:14 PM Aug 2, 2009
If any mozzies do happen to get inside and buzz around your head, a few drops of Eucalyptus Oil on the pillow-case will send them packing in seconds. Another tried and true one from the Cape. Cheers, xina.
-- Edited by xina on Sunday 2nd of August 2009 08:17:59 PM
Firefly said
09:40 PM Aug 2, 2009
So many good tips here guys, once again, thanks heaps.
twobob said
09:33 PM Aug 3, 2009
Forgot to add, replace external light globes with yellow ones, these reduce the attaction for insects, to attend your site.
ballast2 said
12:56 AM Aug 6, 2009
Sorry this will not stop then biting but if you are able to carry a potplant of aloe vera with you you will find once you are bitten break a leaf of the plant it will soon ease any pain .Only needs a small plant as it regenerates. Hope this helps
ballast2 said
12:57 AM Aug 6, 2009
Sorry forgot to mention you need to rub the gell on the bite.
Firefly said
01:13 PM Aug 6, 2009
Thankyou all for the advice once again. The aloe vera I could take without a worry.
I don't know if this topic has been covered on here before, but is there any cure for midgie bites or more importantly, keeping the little suckers from biting in the first place.
On our first visit to the North in 2006, I was told to get the vitamin B into me which I did around six weeks prior. To be honest, I had not a problem with midgies or mosquitos but they tend to impede my sleep a bit.
In 2008 we set off again and my first bite was at Karumba and it never ceased until we left Darwin a month or so later. I ended up on antibiotics, the bites being so bad, poisoned the system I am afraid.
I have tried a lot of lotions and potions but to no avail. I am hoping the combined mite on this forum may hold the secret.
We are going again next year and if I hear of nothing else, I will go back to the vitamin B for sure, combined with a sedative.
Just found it! The ratio was [I think] 2-1, Oil-Dettol.
On Page 31, Road Ranger also posted the address of a guy who used to make and sell a product that RR said was excellent.
Cheers,
xina.
-- Edited by xina on Friday 31st of July 2009 10:02:42 PM
I works fanastic with mossies.
Let me know if it works as well on Midgies, we're on our way to Tin Can Bay and last time there I forgot to bring it along and I was eaten alive.
Cheers,
The Freddos
I take a Mega B everyday and have done since I knew I was heading to the Kimberleys in 1996.
My first confrontation with sandflies did result in blisters and infection, but after that all I did was wash the stinging off with water and no more problems. The mozzies don't affect me at all.
If they keep you awake just dab some of the mixture on your ears and neck. Sweet dreams. Cheers Chris
Nothing seemed to work last time, I had the Bushmans with Deet and every other mix on the planet. I think I was just too far gone to notice if it helped. Certainly does with mozzies and flies for sure.
I had heard of the Detol and oil, will mix a lot of that as well and might try the Natures Botanical over this summer break and see what it does.
This produces a "odour" on the skin that the insects do not like, not that we will smell it, but they do.
While that takes care of 90% of bites, it does not stop that annoying buzz around you as you try to sleep. I use the Sandlewood insect sticks around the doors or openings to prevent them entering. They are good as you can use them indoors as well, without the headache that other commercial burning sticks seem to give. Nice smelling too.
Neem and Citronella oils are good mossie repelant,and if you are bitten, use vingar on the site and this should prevent a rash.
In really bad areas, "Bushmans" is effective. Have used "Vicks" when there was nothing else available, also effective.
Cheers,
xina.
-- Edited by xina on Sunday 2nd of August 2009 08:17:59 PM