How bad will the mozzies be around Easter???

[Yorkshire_Jon]

OK, a quick question from Mrs Yorkshire_Jon if I may...

Starting from Good Friday we will be heading down to Mildura, into the Flinders (SkyTrek), then along the Oodnadatta track, across the Painted Desert and onto Alice, before then heading over to Kings Canyon, Ularu and the other "touristy" bits...

The question from Ellie is how bad will the mozzie's be at that time of year?

I know that the closer we get to water, the worse they get, but generally speaking, should we be pestered by them, or is it a good time of year to be travelling?


Thanks
Jon

[UncleHo]

G'day John :)

I would suggest that you take an insect repellant with you to protect also from Midges,one that comes into mind is "RID",available in both pressure pack and roll-on, there is also another good one "Bushmans" available from chemists,or bigger supermarkets, Bushmans from chemist or outdoor stores,we use RID when we go to dog trials or shows :)


cheers
This is not a paid commercial :D

[MickS]

They can get pretty big down them parts YJ...here's a shot of one I took just before it made off with my baby...:eek:

http://roberthood.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/mossie2.jpg

[Bundalene]

Agree with the "Rid" suggestion. "Bushmans" also works but it can cause a rash on some people.

I would suggest to both start taking Vitamin B capsules if you are prone to mozzie/sandfly bites - this really helps my wife, who is a magnet for the little blighters.

Not sure if the mozzies will be such a problem - although with all the water lying around, they may be breeding up a bit.

Flies may also be a big issue during the day, so you may need a fly veil ?

Have a great trip:D

[Yorkshire_Jon]

G'day John :)

I would suggest that you take an insect repellant with you to protect also from Midges,one that comes into mind is "RID",available in both pressure pack and roll-on, there is also another good one "Bushmans" available from chemists,or bigger supermarkets, Bushmans from chemist or outdoor stores,we use RID when we go to dog trials or shows :)


cheers
This is not a paid commercial :D

Thanks. Ive got some bushmans left over from a smaller, recent trip. will use that... and maybe more!

[TwoUp]

The mean low temperature for Oodnadatta track area is 14odd deg c and for the Alice is 17ish deg c so flies will be or could be a problem, Other factors include how windy it is when you pass and if it gets really hot (that dry heat) as mozzies arn't happy with this.

Anyhow have a good safe trip:)

Regards,
PeterW

[dmdigital]

Jon, Bushmans with 80% DEET is the best if you don't want insects to even look at you. Be warned though this will dissolve plastic and rubber, damage painted surfaces and remove the hair from your skin.

I heard of an old guy melting his hearing aids and know of a few people who have wrecked sunglasses and watches with this stuff.

It isn't something to use a lot as DEET is nasty stuff. But when you really need to get rid of bities, this is the best.

[chunk]

Hi Jon as the others have said Rid repellent, Vitamin B plus capsules, they should be taken a least a week before you leave and continued until you get back. Also a bottle of good quality Tea Tree oil, in case you do happen to get bitten the Tea tree oil will stop the bites getting infected and also stops them itching.

have a great trip.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Hi Jon as the others have said Rid repellent, Vitamin B plus capsules, they should be taken a least a week before you leave and continued until you get back. Also a bottle of good quality Tea Tree oil, in case you do happen to get bitten the Tea tree oil will stop the bites getting infected and also stops them itching.

have a great trip.

Never knew about the Vitamin B+ capsules... Excellent. Will be up for some of them!

Thanks

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Jon, Bushmans with 80% DEET is the best if you don't want insects to even look at you. Be warned though this will dissolve plastic and rubber, damage painted surfaces and remove the hair from your skin.

I heard of an old guy melting his hearing aids and know of a few people who have wrecked sunglasses and watches with this stuff.

It isn't something to use a lot as DEET is nasty stuff. But when you really need to get rid of bities, this is the best.


Thanks Derek, have used 100% deet repelents in Africa. They're great but sting when you put it on and it eats anything!

Sounds like Bushman's & Vitamin B+ is the way forward!

[1103.9TDI]

I was told to use vitamin B before I went off to PNG for the first time in 1990. I always thought they meant beer, of which we all drank in copeous amounts while there. No wonder I ended up getting malaria so often:mad::D.

[Tombie]

Mozzies?.. Easter?... Down here?...

LOTS :cool:

Counted 9 on my right arm (at the same time) after sitting outside for a minute having a smoke.

They're everywhere at the moment!