HELP ! Need good sandfly repellent.

Blonderer · Veteran Member

HELP ! Need good sandfly repellent.

Sheba · Guru

Hi Julie,
This is one of my posts from an earlier time. To read all posts related, click on"Search", and type in Sandfly Repellant.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Dettol on mossie bites works . Living on Cape York 20 odd years ago, we used to use a mixture of Baby Oil and Dettol to repel Mossies and Sandflies. I think it was a 2-1 ratio, Oil - Dettol.
Another good repellant at night when you have a mossie buzzing around your head as you try to go to sleep, is a few drops of Eucalyptus oil along the edge of your pillowcase.
Cheers,
xina.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Try Listerine. It's recommended for mozzie control, so it may work for those nasty sandies.
Wash the bites every time you feel the sting. Apply ice if there's inflammation.
They can blister and get infected very easily, especially the first time you get attacked.

Jacko · Veteran Member

Cant help with a repellent
can help with a cure
roll on deodorant
Mitchum works best as highest aluminium content
home brand roll on is good to
you wont believe how well it works till you try it

Happy Jacko

DiB · Member

The dettol and baby oil is one that works - but if biten I am someone who will get infected and as we live with midges & mozies nearly all year - I have found that if I immediately put aloe vera 99% gel on the area not only stops the itch but no reaction - have tried it on granddaughter with her mozie bites and it worked.
Cheers

Zoomtopz · Guru

Don't keep the Chromebright & the mozzy spray handy , especially in th dark .
Old mate did , 1st trip in a brand new Kenworth , left Melb , got up near Toc .
Pulled up for th night , just getting comfy in th bunk. Bl..dy mozzies . Pick up
the spray can cchhhchhhh all through th cab . Cupla secs later smelt th paint,
too late , windscreen , instruments & ceiling nice shade of Silver .
We still call him Chromebrite .
Richo

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks for the hint on Mitchum Jacko. I use it so will now try it on the mozzie bite I got tonight.

Try Eucalyptus Spray for the sandflies, its really strong and might keep them away.

Sheba · Guru

Zoomtopz wrote:

Don't keep the Chromebright & the mozzy spray handy , especially in th dark .
Old mate did , 1st trip in a brand new Kenworth , left Melb , got up near Toc .
Pulled up for th night , just getting comfy in th bunk. Bl..dy mozzies . Pick up
the spray can cchhhchhhh all through th cab . Cupla secs later smelt th paint,
too late , windscreen , instruments & ceiling nice shade of Silver .
We still call him Chromebrite .
Richo

Zoomtopz, if you read my last post, you'll see that all you need in that situation is Eucalyptus Oil. A few drops on the pillow case, or somewhere, and they're gone in a minute. If you get woken up later on, just re-apply.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Sheba · Guru

Jacko wrote:

Cant help with a repellent
can help with a cure
roll on deodorant
Mitchum works best as highest aluminium content
home brand roll on is good to
you wont believe how well it works till you try it

Happy Jacko

Don't forget the Alzheimers' connection with Aluminium Jacko. I only ever use natural Chrystal Deoderants. They are made from Mineral Salts I believe, and really do work.
Straight Dettol works on mozzie bites if you do get bitten.

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 21st of November 2010 11:18:50 PM

Jacko · Veteran Member

Don't forget the Alzheimers' connection with Aluminium Jacko. I only ever use natural Chrystal Deoderants. They are made from Mineral Salts I believe, and really do work.
Straight Dettol works on mozzie bites if you do get bitten.

Cheers,
Sheba.

there is no Alzheimers link with aluminium.

ozjohn · Guru

Good Sandfly spray???
I msut say that don't bother me very much, but make a mess out of the cook.
Over the years she's tried every lotion, cream, solution, pill etc know to man across the universe, but nothing has worked as a repelenat or as a remedy after the bite.
Best thatcan probably be said about them is they are a deterrent when applied often and liberally.
Best of luck, ozjohn.

justcruisin01 · Guru

When we were up north earlier this year we were informed of a product by an old farmer for the deterent of bush flies. We found it will beat any thing else hands down for this application.
I tried it for the mozzie,s worked well there too so may be good for the sandies.
Available at some chemists or rural produce stores. has a pleseant smell as well.

Natures Botanical.
Rosemary & Cedarwood
Oils in a natural creme.

Made in Aust.

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Agree with Justcrusin01 that "Natures Botanical Rosemary & Cedarwood Oils in a natural crème" is top stuff.

We have been using it as an insect repellent for a few years on the recommendation of some fellow campers. It is not that easy to find but places like "Horseland" stock it.

Previously we used a homemade Sandfly/March fly/Insect Repellent that worked for us.
250ml Moisturiser (e.g. "Sorbolene")
100ml Liquid "Rid"
75ml "Dettol"
Shake together and apply liberally before venturing outdoors.

JRH · Guru

Jacko wrote:

Don't forget the Alzheimers' connection with Aluminium Jacko. I only ever use natural Chrystal Deoderants. They are made from Mineral Salts I believe, and really do work.
Straight Dettol works on mozzie bites if you do get bitten.

Cheers,
Sheba.
there is no Alzheimers link with aluminium.

I have read a medical report, please don't ask me where as I simply cannot remember, linking cooking with aluminium pans and Alzheimer's disease and also using deodorants which contain aluninium.

For sandflies and such we spray around the campsite with diluted Listerine, the original brown one seems to work the best. It keeps all sorts of biting insects away and if you feel so inclined you can also spray some on exposed areas of skin but we find whist it works very well for us it is rather sticky on the skin.

petengail · Guru

We use a commercial product called "Off" works well, however a bottle left on its side on top of the beer fridge leaked and took the enamel off the top of the beer fridge. Like I said, it works, but at what price who knows...

Firefly · Guru

I have tried everything as well. Covering myself in fly spray of every description. Nothing seems to stop them biting but now I take an antihistamine each day while up north and I no longer scratch so no infection.

I have had antibiotics etc from infected bites a few years ago.

Last trip, my daughter purchased for me, online, a product by a company called miessence. Its called baby bottom mist and it stopped the itch for me most of the time till I turned to the antihistamine. smile

Happywanderer · The Master

I'm with you firefly. Once bitten I take Telfast every day, it takes the itch right down to NEARLY nothing then I dab each spot with whatever you lot here are saying is the best. haha.
Have tried tootpaste, Eucalyptus spray, perfume, aloe vera, tea tree oil, pawpaw ointment, elmore oil and now Mitchum deodorant today which definitely is taking the sting out of the one on my arm.
There probably is more, just can't think of them at the moment. Oh and NZ SkinCalm in a tube I brought back from my last trip.
They all work at different levels. But would rather have something that stopped them biting.
I make a point of never scratching no matter how itchy they become.

Ma · Guru

Wish I could make a point of not scratching Marj. It's bloody near impossible when they itch and itch and itch.

Happywanderer · The Master

You must dab with whatever you are using at least every hour or even half hour if need be. I'm off to the bathroom again to the mitchum, gotta keep it up.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Have you tried Soove? It has a local anaesthetic in it, if you can leave it till it dries, it really takes the worst of the itch for a few hours.

DiB · Member

Yes if I don't get something on them the only thing that works is Zrytec or telfast - but taking antihistamine on a regular basis - check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have high blood pressure because they could react with your blood pressure medication if taken routinely - that is what I have been advised.
cheers
Di

Sheba · Guru

There is an itch you can pick up from the grass. I can't remember it's name.
I believe it's something that originates with Kangaroos. It wanders all over your foot, and can move very fast. It can go from one side to the other in a matter of an hour or so.
It wakes you up in the middle of the night, scratching yourself raw. You feel as though you're going to go mad.

I found the only thing that helped with that, was Kerosene. Rub it right in. You might have to redo it once through the night, but it works so that you can get some sleep.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

Oh my god Sheba, that sounds awful. Have never heard of it. Is it a grass to a particular area?

DiB, only take the telfast for the about 4 days I need till the bite has gone down, not continually over the summer. Once I get the bite its a matter of getting one of the stop itches cremes on immediately, seems to be more effective. Then may have to take the Telfast on day 2,3 and 4. Might be another couple weeks before I get bitten again as I try to be so careful not to get bitten.
Don't have a problem with blood pressure, but thanks for that, had no idea it could effect it. Will pass that on to other family members

Rolly · Guru

Hi,
Thanks for all the pointers here.

Re. the aluminium/alzheimers connection: It was a technical laboratory error that started the whole thing off.

Think of all those folks with acidic stomachs who have been using aluminium hydroxide etc. in their Mylanta type products for over half a century with no associated rise in dementia ratios.

It's a bit of a myth now.

Sheba · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:

Oh my god Sheba, that sounds awful. Have never heard of it. Is it a grass to a particular area?

No Particular grass Marj, and I'm not sure if it's confined to a particular area or not. I was living at Baffle Creek at the time. One of the guys working on the Macadamia Farms at the time had a much worse case than mine, which did eventually clear up thank goodness.

I don't know how he managed it, but his was on his face, and used to travel all around his eye area.

Have you tried the Dettol for the Mossie [and other] bites ? I does work.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

I'm getting some dettol tomorrow, payday. Will be trying it then. Thanks.

jonathan · Guru

.. the only thing that I found satisfactory as a repellant for sandflys and midgies is Bushmans Plus ..
Its popularity now has it available in most states of Oz ..

now .. once you are bitten .. ouuuuch !

.. again .. its another product I found thats manufactured in Qld .. Its called ..

"Itch Eze - Plus" cream .. found in a yellow tube .. Basically its an antiseptic cream with Super-strength Anaesthetic .. and includes a warning if used by children ..

My way of application is to apply a healthy amount to the bite area .. dont rub in .. but then simply to cover it with a band-aid for at least 24 hrs ..

enjoy .. Jon

currently in Wattle-Grove, Sydney

Happywanderer · The Master

I'm wearing the Dettol mix today, its hot and humid here after a rainy night and lots of mozzies around. I am wearing a sleeveless top so spread it all over my arms. Haven't been bitten today.
Took my little dog out by the park for a walk. The mozzies were landing on her back but none came near my arms.
Not sure about the smell though!!

Sheba · Guru

There is also a product from Avon, called Bug Guard. A Spray mosquito repellant, and a SPF 30 Cream.

Haven't tried them personally, but others say they are good.

I prefer the Dettol mix myself.

Cheers,
Sheba.

stickybeak · Newbie

"The Sandfly and Mozzie Stuff" made by a West Australia company "The Locals" is the best. Not only does it keep the sandflies off me it also stops the itch of any bites I get when I forget to put it on.