Mosquitoes in Stresa?

Yes, I experienced mosquitoes in Stresa a couple of weeks ago while sitting outside on our hotel balcony overlooking Lake Maggiore. Luckily, I had brought along a small, lightweight (1 oz) "Mosquitogrid" from REI. (DEET free, but it does smell of citronella.) I place the grid on the balcony and the mosquitoes immediately disappeared! I also brought along a couple of DEET free mosquito repelling bracelets, but we never used them.

Consider packing along some Calagel. I buy the little individual packets of the gel-type (which I think works best and it is cooling) for pocket and purse. They are magical at reducing itching and swelling from bug bites. Not available in Italy, so bring some from home. The packets are expensive but oh-so-worth it when you need them!

Hi, Priscilla!

I hate putting stuff on my skin, too. Many places have citronella candles on balconies, or plug-in repellants. You can buy one when you are there if necessary. Won't help when you are out walking, though.

I remember mixing Avon SkinSoSoft with water to deter mosquitoes, don't know if that's still available.

Thanks Christine!
I know I will be going to my local REI at least one more time before my trip, so will look for the "Mosquitogrid".
I've not used the insect repellant bracelets before, do they really work?

Thanks Laurel!
Anything to help with the itching and the swelling is well worth it, thanks! I will see if I can find them at my local pharmacy or will order online.

Thanks Zoe! I remember using the plug-in repellant when visiting Padua a couple of years ago and it worked great for our room.
I should have purchased one for future use but I didn't. Then when we were in Varenna (at the end of our trip), I was able to buy the repellant tablets (at a pharmacy) but not the plug-in device!

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Priscilla,

I also try to avoid using things like insect repellents unless absolutely necessary. However, using DEET when required is preferable to the alternatives, such as Lyme Disease or other diseases. Here are a couple of examples of the devastating effects of Lyme Disease - http://globalnews.ca/news/3424165/shania-twain-says-lyme-disease-caused-her-to-lose-her-voice/

DEET can be washed off so would only be in contact with skin when you're out touring. Here's an interesting article on the safety aspect.....

http://www.popsci.com/article/science/deet-safe-use

One alternative would be to use insect-resistant clothing treated with Permethrin. You may find this interesting.....

http://www.consumerreports.org/insect-repellents/permethrin-treated-clothing-mosquito-bites/

According to Wikipedia, both the U.S. and British Army are now treating all new uniforms with Permethrin. That may not be a good idea in homes that have cats as it's toxic to them.

Consumer Reports has good non-anecdotal information on repellants. Wear light colored clothes, long sleeves and pants. Most mosquitoes bite in morning and evening. They are not strong fliers, so a breeze can be enough to keep them away.

Permethrin in spray cans or liquid form has been available for many years (usually in outdoors or sports stores) that can be used to treat your own clothes yourself.

Most so-called natural chemicals are still chemicals, including the ones you wrap around your wrist.

Skin-so-soft had a word-of-mouth reputation as a DEET-free repellant without any clinical proof, so they began marketing a version labeled differently that contained . . . chemicals, that is sold as a repellant.

If anything were as effective as stated in anecdotal accounts on the internet, we wouldn't have hundreds of thousands of people dying of malaria every year. Oh, and Zika is still out there too.

Thanks Ken & Stan for all the helpful information!