Vitamin B and Insects

B6 ... works well.

There is no scientific evidence that I am aware of that proves this works. We tired it once and it made no difference - bitey things still attacked. Given the risk of catching something nasty from mossies I suggest you stick to the stuff you have to physically apply eg bushman, rid etc. They also help against the other annoying flying and biting insects. Those midgies can be a lot worse than mossies and you can't see the little buggers as easily, nor do you hear them. Sneaky and bloody itchy they are!

KO2004,

We have heard of it being successful, but must have ot rake a fair bit because it did not seem to help us greatly.

Tried a home made repellant; 2 parts baby oil, 2parts citronella oil and 1 part Detol. Seemed to work Ok but left you feeling very oily and dirty. However, it is cheap and you can spray it (use a trigger bottle) around the campsite, on the ground and on bushes etc and it keeps the bities away. Also another effective tool is to fill the old hurricane lamp with citronella. Gives light and keeps the bugs at bay at the same time. Leave 2 or 3 around the campsite for a comfortable evening under the stars.

With the vitamin B we p[erhaps did not take enough or did not start taking it soon enough.

I'd try everything for a bight free camp.

Good luck
Duncs

It's more to do with the prevention of infection from their bites rather than as a repellant.

Use a good quality repellant - ask the locals when you get up towards Cairns/Mosman what they use and not something that you by down south. It needs to be of tropical strenght.

Interesting, might explain why some people get bitten half to death while others get left alone... I'd still be taking the RID with you but what the hell, migth as well eat vegimite sandwhichs for lunch and see what happens! ;-)

hi guys,

you are all gems!! I often wondered why my husband who drinks been doesn't get eaten while me (who only drinks wine) gets eaten alive.

This was a suggestion by a friend but I might give everything a try. The car's going to be full of citronella, vitamin b, vegemite and rid.

KO2004
I am a believer in Vitamin B. You have to start taking it every day at least 2 weeks before you leave, and continue each day while camping. I take the higher dosage tablets. It changes the colour of your urine, so don't freak if you haven't taken Vit B before. I am prone being eaten by mozzies at home and while camping they leave me alone. But if there is nothing else around to eat, the vitamins will not make a difference. I like the vitamins becouse it means I don't have to be smothered in repellant 24/7. We camp a lot on Stradbroke and Moreton Islands so I have put the theory to work in some serious conditions. The midges even stay away - most of the time. You will still need repelant for the times that the bities are going to feed no mater what. It works for me.

Paul

Ko my wife gets bitten by every thing and has tried vitimin b and the only thing that works for her is bushmans.

All the best
Eric

Hi,
Can I suggest that you buy some "VEGAMITE" and spread it evenly all over yourselves or get someone to help you!

I'm sure nothing will bite you.

Cheers aston

Suggest you read up on vitamin B poisoning

Bushmans is definatly the go, a little bit pricey but well worth it.
Cheers Tim

I presume when you say Vitamin B you are referring to the CUB product in the green cans?

I am allergic to Mozzies and Midges etc and have tried all the above mentioned without success. I have found one that definately does work however. Go to the chemist and ask for TELFAST. It is used for hayfever but will not stop the bites but will stop the itching. I know this works every time for me. Before I started using them I had several holidays ruined and once had to go home.

As a pharmacist, I'd have to agree. There is no hard proof that any of the B vitamins stop you getting moz-merised...

Bushmans is the best product with a high concentration of DEET, although prob a little high for small kids. Rid's fine for them.

Another little hint. Buy some 1% cortisone cream. You'll have to ask for it, it's not on display (in NSW anyway...) Won't stop bites but fantastic treatment. Have a tube of this handy to dab on any bites as soon as you get them, with or without the Telfast.

Just never use the cortisone on an infection...