So... These mosquitos... Do they bite through clothes?

Larkilli

yes - exactly.. i start wondering that too.
Never been in Goa, but have spent almost 2 months in Kovalam ten years ago - without any sort of vaccinations etc - and the only precaution i remember to have used against mossies was some brand (probably was Autan) of mosquito repellant and sleeping under the net.

Now... why am i getting more worried about it?
I'm reading of mosquitos that bite in the night and carry some kind of disease... but of course there are also mosquitos carring other dangerous stuff that bite night & day... than somebody just earlier said that north of goa is a risky area for malaria - and at the same time i think about some friends living in Chapora from years that seem so chilled about the all mosquito business...

Oh... and about the permethrin stuff, if i don't get wrong, few shopkeepers told me that that stuff is not sold in europe cause "dangerous" or i don't remember what kind of spooky answer they gave me (when i say i don't remember exactly it's because most of the travel shopping for my India journey was made in january...)

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My India Pixx

“Never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”
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Nick-H

Just because other don't worry doesn't mean you shouldn't!

Also, it is a different situation for long-termers, and travellers should not follow their example.

Hypothetical example: say... I live here (I do), and you are coming for three weeks (just for the example).

I catch Malaria: I spend some time, maybe a week or two feeling absolutely bloody lousy, probably including some time in hospital (the drugs for malaria make you so sick that next time it is suspected I'll go the IV route). After a week, or two, or three, or however long it takes, I return to life as normal.

You catch malaria, your trip is screwed, or at least, disrupted in a major way.

It's the same with tummy bugs: for me, it is two days not getting much further than the loo. For a traveller, that may be a substantial percentage of their trip.

I do remember something about permethrin not having an entirely clean sheet.

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Haylo

I'm only coming for a week this time so my fingers are firmly crossed!

That's where visitors do have an advantage over residents, some things are safe in the short term, but not advised for long term use. I'm thinking of malaria meds here but it may apply to permethrin too.

synthette

The Avon "skin so soft" range works great - but only the "original" formula - apparently it contains citronella. Bath oil and body lotion.

Don't wear pantyhose.
Don't.
I ended up with a trail of bites right up my leg.....

wonderwomanusa

A trail of bites is often caused by bedbugs. Not disease carrying, but terribly itchy, especially in the daytime.

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The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

PeakXV

...... Or fleas - especially when they start at the ankle or wrist line. Skeeters usually bite less linearly - but 2 or 3 bites together in the same area is not an uncommon 'calling card' from those persistant gnats.

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What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.
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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

synthette

nope - skeeters - outdoor banquet at a casino in the B'kaa valley, Lebanon, 1994 - still got the itch! In fact, both ankles got mauled, but one mozzy made it under the hose, and worked her way up, ceaselessly........

edwardseco

Nick is right, Permethrin is a very powerful natural substance that should only be applied to clothing and nets. When its applied to skin by the dim bulbs it serves to remind us of the beneficial aspects of evolution..