Hi, I'm off to Africa in 3 weeks. I have sorted my malaria tablets, insect repellent and mozzie net but I have been advised to also get a 'knock down spray' to kill any of the mozzies that may be in the room of an evening before I go to bed. I can't find anything like this on the internet. Can someone shed some light on it????
You CAN transport liquid stuff by aeroplane, just not in your hand luggage in case it is a liquid explosive. Sun creams, mozzie sprays etc are all allowable but not more than a few cm3 on your person and in a clear polythene envelope. This includes things like lip salves.
What will your accommodation be like? If you are staying in native huts, tents, open air etc I would say buy the stuff. However, if you are staying in air conditioned rooms you won't need it because the air con will give the mossies hypothermia and they won't come anywhere near you. I lived and worked in Liberia for 6 months alternating between a room with air con and living in the bush. Not once did I get a mossie in my room.
Other than that I have used http://www.lifesystems.co.uk/psec/insect_repellents/plus_insect_repellent.htm this on me at all times and it really works. I'm highly allergic to mozzie bites (and angel ants, sea ants and any tropical biter you can name) and it kept me safe and out of the medical centre. On my first trip to a tropical area, using only "natural" or "Boots-style" insect repellents, I was quite ill due to the reaction to mozzies and I didn't get much sleep.
I second NPC's suggestion re the lifesystems products. In particular they have a roll on treatment for bites which I found very effective. It contained witch hazel and was very good if the skin had been broken. However, if you go for the 100% DEET products, keep it away from plastics etc as they will melt.
You don't need 100% DEET though, as tests have proved that anything over 50% has the same effect. That's why I prefer the one I said as it is 50% DEET with some aromatic stuff to make it smell nice and work more effectively to mask you from the mozzies.
It'll still dissolve certain polymers though; it made the strap of my diving watch go a wee bit soft but after removal of the DEET and a wash it hardened up again and was as good as new.
And before anyone comes out with the "DEET is obviously a strong solvent so don't apply it to your skin" thing, many spray underarm deodorants dissolve things too - like permanent marker - we used to use Brut underarm spray in the workshop to remove "permanent" marks. Lynx also does it but it triggers very rapid asthma in me. Lots of people use those solvents!
