Mosquito nets, do I need to take one to Goa & Kerala

Nick-H · Dec 2nd, 2006, 21:54

I guess mossies must make it inside the planes sometimes, but probably that stuff they insist on spraying all over us kills them off.

I doubt very much if anyine bothers to apply repellent before disembarking --- it's probably the last thing on anyone's mind!

But perhaps it shouldn't be, especially if arriving at dusk or dawn, or leaving the airport at those times!

I have to admit that the guy I heard of who got a malarial bite in the first few minutes (it is alleged that that was his one and only bite...) is probably a freak case, but I'm assured it did happen.

josan165 · Dec 2nd, 2006, 23:07

I think in Jan it is very pleasent in Goa.

No need of mosquito nets.

But, as a safety it is advisible to buy All-out etc., if you are staying at city (low budget) hotels.

Nick-H · Dec 2nd, 2006, 23:21

I've certainly been bitten in Kerala in December. And Chennai in january.

josan165 · Dec 2nd, 2006, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I've certainly been bitten in Kerala in December. And Chennai in january.

I have been to Goa for 6 times in Dec- Jan period and never used nets.

But, mosquito repellants work well there in this season as it is very pleasent and mosquitoes are not very aggrassive.

Nick-H · Dec 2nd, 2006, 23:46

Josan.... are you Indian?

Funny question in the circumstances but I have a good reason for asking!

Quite a few Indian people I know simply do not notice the majority of the mossy bites they get, their immune system does not react (my doctor promises me that it will happen to me ...one day

). My wife doesn't feel a thing, and gets only the tiniest of red marks; you'd only notice when there are several close together.

So I am not doubting your experience, but I think that mosquito activity is sometimes underestimated by Indian people.

On the same basis it is often, maybe mistakenly, claimed that they don't bite locals.

But I do agree that they are relatively few and less active in the coolest and the very hottest months. Unfortunately even if there is only one it'll find and bite me

And if you tell me that you get huge red lumps whenever they bite you --- then I'll just have to shut up and go away

leadfeather · Dec 20th, 2006, 23:59

i have used many various brands of bug dope both natural and synthetic and everyone has what works with there own body chemistry but i can say from my own personal experience that "bens 100" is by far the best bug dopeit is 100% deet , now most of you might believe that that's a little heavy on the juice side of things but when you are contemplating a 20 mile hike through the wilds of denali alaska and you are in the middle of no-where you defintely want something you can trust. it comes in a pump spray so you can apply it more to your clothes and hat and a liquid to apply to body parts. as for what was said about baby oil , never tried that but" skin so soft " by avon is a good smelling skin cream that will keep mossies away to a reasonable extent , but wears off easily .... and you''ll know it when it does .so depending on the situaton and weather you care that you smell like a science experiment or not will determine more what your plan is .... for me better safe then sorry.

karma_police · Dec 21st, 2006, 00:13

I worked with an aromatherapist once, who was fully qualified, and she told me that lavender oil works as an excellent insect repellent as the little buggers can't stand it... natural too which is good and you can put it on your skin without the risk of being burnt like with the deet

Noodle · Dec 21st, 2006, 02:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Quite a few Indian people I know simply do not notice the majority of the mossy bites they get, their immune system does not react (my doctor promises me that it will happen to me ...one day

).

Yes, it will happen to you, cause it has happened to me - well almost! I now feel them only if they bite my fingers, otherwise I seem to be immune. How many years have you been living here?

Nick-H · Dec 21st, 2006, 03:28

Most of the last two years, Noodle. I'm glad to hear that it has actually happened to you!

karma_police, however qualified your aromatherapist is, the same arguments apply about what works for them may or may not work for others. There are other oils which are used in some 'natural' repellents which are know and shown to have effectiveness.

Frankly, if the answer was as simple as Lavender oil, then I think everybody would know that --- especially in a country like India where experience and tradition is often stronger than commercial vested interest in selling us stuff.

Noodle · Dec 21st, 2006, 21:13

I guess two years isn't long enough yet for your immune system to relax ...

dhans · Dec 21st, 2006, 23:26

"Good Knight" does the job!

(OK it kills some braincells, but malaria can kill your whole body)

Hans

BabyBlue · Dec 21st, 2006, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibizabum

We're going to India for the first time on 3 January, plan to stay in Goa for one month, and then may be Kerala for one month.

Would like to know if most budget/mid price beach hut type or hotel accommodation have nets?

The last time I went away for a budget long holiday was Thailand and I found accommodation really easy to find with nets.

Just wondered if it were the case in Goa/Kerala or whether its best to take a net.

Hope you can help.

Cheers

Take a net! And please don't burn a coil in your closed room that you're sleeping in - it really isn't good for you at all!

BabyBlue · Dec 21st, 2006, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by karma_police

I worked with an aromatherapist once, who was fully qualified, and she told me that lavender oil works as an excellent insect repellent as the little buggers can't stand it... natural too which is good and you can put it on your skin without the risk of being burnt like with the deet

Malaria is a little too serious to mess around with & I don't believe this for a second, I'm sorry. My good friend is a GP in the UK but also runs a private clinic specialising in homeopathic & alternative medicines & he told me there is no natural anti malarial or any natural effective repellent EXCEPT citronella oil which must be used in conjunction with other repellents as a precaution.

puppydogben · Dec 21st, 2006, 23:33

There is malaria in Goa, plugs are not 100% effective and Skin so Soft by Avon works very well and is excellent for the skin, though mine did take a few weeks to come through the post when I ordered it.
I would take a mosquito net from the west if poss, new and impregnated.

Nick-H · Dec 21st, 2006, 23:39

There are tables of repellent test results available on the net.

The Avon stuff is there, and it is found to be be effective, but is, IIRRC, quite a way down the list, with DEET clearly leading the field.

Much of the effectiveness test is how long it lasts. A high-concentration of DEET is about the only thing that will egt you through the night.

Dec 2nd, 2006, 21:54	#31
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	I guess mossies must make it inside the planes sometimes, but probably that stuff they insist on spraying all over us kills them off. I doubt very much if anyine bothers to apply repellent before disembarking --- it's probably the last thing on anyone's mind! But perhaps it shouldn't be, especially if arriving at dusk or dawn, or leaving the airport at those times! I have to admit that the guy I heard of who got a malarial bite in the first few minutes (it is alleged that that was his one and only bite...) is probably a freak case, but I'm assured it did happen. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 2nd, 2006, 23:07	#32
josan165 Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 80	Mosquito nets!!! I think in Jan it is very pleasent in Goa. No need of mosquito nets. But, as a safety it is advisible to buy All-out etc., if you are staying at city (low budget) hotels.

Dec 20th, 2006, 23:59	#36
leadfeather Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: nantucket ma. usa Posts: 4	the dope on bugs... or bug dope in depth i have used many various brands of bug dope both natural and synthetic and everyone has what works with there own body chemistry but i can say from my own personal experience that "bens 100" is by far the best bug dopeit is 100% deet , now most of you might believe that that's a little heavy on the juice side of things but when you are contemplating a 20 mile hike through the wilds of denali alaska and you are in the middle of no-where you defintely want something you can trust. it comes in a pump spray so you can apply it more to your clothes and hat and a liquid to apply to body parts. as for what was said about baby oil , never tried that but" skin so soft " by avon is a good smelling skin cream that will keep mossies away to a reasonable extent , but wears off easily .... and you''ll know it when it does .so depending on the situaton and weather you care that you smell like a science experiment or not will determine more what your plan is .... for me better safe then sorry.

Dec 21st, 2006, 23:26	#41
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,437	"Good Knight" does the job! (OK it kills some braincells, but malaria can kill your whole body) Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

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Dec 2nd, 2006, 23:21	#33
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	I've certainly been bitten in Kerala in December. And Chennai in january.

Dec 2nd, 2006, 23:46	#35
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Josan.... are you Indian? Funny question in the circumstances but I have a good reason for asking! Quite a few Indian people I know simply do not notice the majority of the mossy bites they get, their immune system does not react (my doctor promises me that it will happen to me ...one day ). My wife doesn't feel a thing, and gets only the tiniest of red marks; you'd only notice when there are several close together. So I am not doubting your experience, but I think that mosquito activity is sometimes underestimated by Indian people. On the same basis it is often, maybe mistakenly, claimed that they don't bite locals. But I do agree that they are relatively few and less active in the coolest and the very hottest months. Unfortunately even if there is only one it'll find and bite me And if you tell me that you get huge red lumps whenever they bite you --- then I'll just have to shut up and go away

Dec 21st, 2006, 00:13	#37
karma_police Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 8	I worked with an aromatherapist once, who was fully qualified, and she told me that lavender oil works as an excellent insect repellent as the little buggers can't stand it... natural too which is good and you can put it on your skin without the risk of being burnt like with the deet

Dec 21st, 2006, 03:28	#39
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Most of the last two years, Noodle. I'm glad to hear that it has actually happened to you! karma_police, however qualified your aromatherapist is, the same arguments apply about what works for them may or may not work for others. There are other oils which are used in some 'natural' repellents which are know and shown to have effectiveness. Frankly, if the answer was as simple as Lavender oil, then I think everybody would know that --- especially in a country like India where experience and tradition is often stronger than commercial vested interest in selling us stuff.

Dec 21st, 2006, 21:13	#40
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	I guess two years isn't long enough yet for your immune system to relax ...

Dec 21st, 2006, 23:33	#44
puppydogben Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SE Asia Posts: 164	There is malaria in Goa, plugs are not 100% effective and Skin so Soft by Avon works very well and is excellent for the skin, though mine did take a few weeks to come through the post when I ordered it. I would take a mosquito net from the west if poss, new and impregnated.

Dec 21st, 2006, 23:39	#45
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	There are tables of repellent test results available on the net. The Avon stuff is there, and it is found to be be effective, but is, IIRRC, quite a way down the list, with DEET clearly leading the field. Much of the effectiveness test is how long it lasts. A high-concentration of DEET is about the only thing that will egt you through the night.

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