Unwanted attention from pests on holiday

10:31am Friday 29th August 2008

HELEN Spath and her team at Tullivers Health Store, in York, write a regular column to advise on the spectrum of health issues and how to treat them with natural remedies.

Q: Whenever we go on holiday, I end up getting eaten alive! How can I ward off unwanted attention from mosquitoes and other biting insects?

A: In some parts of the world such as Africa and South America, mosquito bites can lead to serious diseases such as malaria, which is why, when travelling to these countries, you need to take precautionary measures.

More often than not, however, mosquitoes tend to be more of a nuisance than a health hazard.

A good insect repellent on exposed skin should help. Most sprays and lotions will contain a chemical called DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide), which although effective, can produce adverse reactions in some people.

Natural remedies can be just effective and are often a safer alternative. Neem is often a popular choice – the Neem Herbal Insect Repellent from Bioforce, for example, has been found to repel mosquitoes and help prevent them from biting.

The scent of neem confuses them, masking your individual scent and making you less easy to find.

It is also effective against midges which are particularly troublesome here in the UK, especially in the north of England and in Scotland.

Neem Herbal Insect Repellent is suitable for all the family and should be applied to exposed areas of skin every three hours or as required.

In addition to neem, garlic, eaten on a regular basis, can also have a repellent effect and should make you smell less appetizing to hungry insects.

Reducing your intake of sugary foods before you travel can also help. Sugar makes your blood taste sweeter, especially to mosquitoes, so by cutting down on the sweet stuff, you shouldn’t taste as good.

Finally, mosquito nets at night can of course make a huge difference. For further advice, ask at your local health shop.

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