Bring Good Mosquito Spray

[outofofficebrb]

Has anyone seen Thermacell refills available in Cozumel? Would be nice to have one sitting on a balcony without having to use spray. I am pretty sure flying with the butane fuel they use would not be possible.

If you don't want to spray, using Insect Shield treated clothing is another excellent option. I have traveled to many extremely buggy areas in Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Central America and that along with picaridin 20% (as good as DEET) keeps me bite free. I am extremely allergic to them (I get skeeter syndrome and they turn into the size of pancakes with pain and throbbing) and am usually especially attractive to them.

 

[Streydog]

If you don't want to spray, using Insect Shield treated clothing is another excellent option. I have traveled to many extremely buggy areas in Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Central America and that along with picaridin 20% (as good as DEET) keeps me bite free. I am extremely allergic to them (I get skeeter syndrome and they turn into the size of pancakes with pain and throbbing) and am usually especially attractive to them.

I will use spray when I have to, just don't like to. I grew up in an area where mosquitos could get very bad, we had the trucks going around town fogging just like Cozumel does. Thermacells work OK if you are just sitting in one place and it not very windy. I always take mosquito spray down with me but have not once used it, been lucky. Sounds like I will need it this week though.

 

[nwflyboy]

In the past, I've always sworn by 100% DEET (from REI, small, cheap and pretty effective IME). I've never needed to use any in Coz. I was recently in northern Japan (Hokkaido's extreme eastern tip), in a large national park/bear reserve. The skeeters there were moderately aggressive (I've had far worse in Alaska) but enough of a bother to address. Since I had neglected to bring along my jug of 100% DEET, I shrugged and bought some local natural alternative. I was HIGHLY skeptical initially - peppermint oil...I ordinarily would scoff at such hippy-dippy wishy-washy weak stuff. I sprayed this stuff on my arms and legs and back of my neck....OMG, it burned....for hours!!! I'm not sure if I got any bug bites since all of my skin was burning all day...surprisingly strong stuff!

 

[outofofficebrb]

In the past, I've always sworn by 100% DEET (from REI, small, cheap and pretty effective IME). I've never needed to use any in Coz. I was recently in northern Japan (Hokkaido's extreme eastern tip), in a large national park/bear reserve. The skeeters there were moderately aggressive (I've had far worse in Alaska) but enough of a bother to address. Since I had neglected to bring along my jug of 100% DEET, I shrugged and bought some local natural alternative. I was HIGHLY skeptical initially - peppermint oil...I ordinarily would scoff at such hippy-dippy wishy-washy weak stuff. I sprayed this stuff on my arms and legs and back of my neck....OMG, it burned....for hours!!! I'm not sure if I got any bug bites since all of my skin was burning all day...surprisingly strong stuff!

I made the mistake of using peppermint soap all over my body once. Something was tingling and burning for a bit when it shouldn't have. I won't make that mistake ever again.

 

[gopbroek]

Figured it was update time: Mosquitoes are still thick and the main stores have run out of Mosquitoe spray. Hopefully they will get more in but as of this weekend there was none at Chedraui, Mega, Akai and Soriano. Heard a rumour that the city was broke and we're not going to spray but I have heard that in years past but then they seemed to find the funds so hopefully they will be able to knock the population back. Have not heard of any large scale virus outbreaks like last year.