Thorn Tree travel forum

1

My travel doctor recommended taking vitamen b as well as the other precautions, as the mozzie dont like the smell excreting from your skin.

2

Important!! The catnip must be from the male plant or it will not be effective.

3

Did you try it in Panama? Did it work for you?

4

I'm sniggering imagining you attracting playful cats!

Cambo by Moto

5

Mosquito repellent solutions
Sounds very promising. I remain to be convinced about the crocodile repellent.

DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT IF YOU HOPE TO GO WITHIN 10 FEET OF ANY CATS WITHOUT SENDING THEM INTO A CHEMICALLY-INDUCED SEXUAL FRENZY" says straightdope.com

Iowa State University study Catnip

Though there seem to be precious few scientific studies of catnip as a repellent it seems it does work and maybe better than DEET. The great thing about trying it is that if it does not work then DEET is widely available in Thailand. I would be most interested to hear how you get on. Strangely, at present despite lots of rain recently, there seem to be very few mozzies around!

6

Well, I tried several natural solutions over the years, incuding catnip. My experience is that the one and only thing that really helps in every time of the day, metreological situation and, most important, in all places I've been to (including mozzie-infested places like the lakes in Sweden and North Finland in the Summer, the Amazon in Brazil, the Nile in Egypt, the Terai in Nepal, the Mekong-Delta...) was DEET in concentrations of 12-25%. Actually, that is pretty much, what medical research indicates as well, as several doctors spcialized in tropical medicin have told me.
Save travels!

...just returned... leaving again shortly...

7

The Consumer Reports Magazine article that I have posted here several times tested the best results at 35% and diminishing effectiveness as the concentration went down. They also tested 100% to be effective but recommend against using anything over their 2d best result of 35%.

from that CR article:
The next 3 longest lasting protection came from 34%, 30% and 30%, lasting 5 hours, followed by two at 20% then a 15% 7% etc. An obvious correlation to % of deet, not brand.
Use as directed (not under clothing, in an open cut, or w/ sunscreen).
Use the lowest deet % concentration that works, esp on kids, and none on infants.
The best non-deet product was Repel Plant Based Lemon Eucalyptus but volunteers criticed the odor (Not surprising, as my wife threw mine away saying: "minn maak!").
Tests last year 7% picaridin worked well but this time less protection.
Most botanicals (non-deet) tested midling to worse.
The permethrin-treated fabric, washed only once did not work at all.

8

Every year, approximately one-third of Americans use insect repellents containing the insecticide DEET. Duke University Medical Center pharmacologist Mohamed Abou-Donia has spent 30 years researching the effects of pesticides. He has found that prolonged exposure to DEET can impair functioning in parts of the brain.

"Damage to these areas could result in problems with muscle coordination, muscle weakness, walking or even memory and cognition."

Abou-Donia says rats given even small doses of DEET for 60 days had a harder time accomplishing even the easiest tasks. Abou-Donia says short-term exposure to DEET does not appear to be harmful, but warns against using any product with more than a 30 percent concentration. Use as little of the product as you can, and don't use a product containing DEET if you're taking any medication.

"We found that the combined exposure to DEET and other chemicals is more dangerous than just DEET alone."

Abou-Donia also warns to never put a product containing DEET on an infant's or child's skin. The side-effects could be even more serious.

9

...........Thanks you!

Btw, I am aware of the dangers/health concerns related to using DEET however, if you saw what the mossies do to me within minutes of outdoor exposure you'd be my DEET pusher!

I'm just looking for a safer, healthier alternative. I've seen claims online (said with suspiscion) that catnip sprays work 10x better than DEET. Still looking for somepeople who can confirm or deny this for me.

Happy and safe travels all.....

Elana

"There must be more than this provincial life"