Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Malaria anyone? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu
jgd41i 15:00 UTC 01 Jun 2007 | Without wanting to start the debate about whether to get various tablets etc to combat mosquitoes...what is the most effective repallant for the dreaded mozzy. I was talking to someone recently who though that tropical strength aerogard was like an appetiser for the dreaded insect. Any thoughts? Is it worth taking a net? cheers JGD |
Laszlo 18:24 UTC 01 Jun 2007 | Any repelent that has DEET in it - often sold under the name AUTAN. A net is definitely worth carrying - even without the malaria, having mozzies buzz into one's ear at night is hardly the key to a good night's sleep! ;-) | 1
bendigo 08:12 UTC 02 Jun 2007 | Light clothing, with long sleeves and legs is also a useful precaution for going out around sunset / in the evenings. DEET based repellants usually contain a warning against use by children and pregnant women so I usually try to avoid copious re-applications (not that I fit into either of these categories!) It's also a good idea to go easy on perumes / after-shave, cince these can often attract mossies. I also take the relevant tablets if heading into a malarial area. But most importantly, since tonic water contains quinine, make sure to buy some Duty Free Bombay Gin, and have a G&T at sunset every night - for medicinal and soul-soothing purposes. Cheers, Rob | 2
islandboi321 20:11 UTC 02 Jun 2007 | I quite like that G and T option, Rob! Great for relaxing on warm summer evenings even here in non-malarial countries like Canada. | 3
jgd41i 17:07 UTC 11 Jun 2007 | Hi thanks for your thoughts. I'm practicing the g & t option and so far.....NO MALARIA. Of course that may be because all the mozzies have frozen to death and I'm still in Melbourne. cheers JGD | 4
bendigo 19:48 UTC 12 Jun 2007 | Bloody cold in Bendigo too, so I've cut down the G & T's a bit, and replaced them with Scotch and a few Red Wines - seem to be equally efficacious, although I have also noticed a distinct lack of mozzies! (And on reading my previous post, it looks like I'd had a couple before typing - don't you hate it when your brain goes faster than your fingers, and you're too busy to go back and check?) Ah for a gentle tropical breeze, bringing the fragrance of frangipani and gardenia, the distant sound of surf crashing against the reef, and the constant buzz of mozzies OUTSIDE the net..... Rob | 5