Venice in August--should we bring mosquito repellent?

Mosquitos can be a problem in most of Italy in August, so yes, do bring repellent (whatever works in Florida will work in Italy). Or you can find it there very easily - if you only travel with cabin luggage, it might be better not to bring repellent with you if it exceeds the volume limit.

Where would you buy mosquito repellant? That is always the challenge overseas. I have found that beyond food, my US based knowledge of what type of store sells X is not very useful!

Is DEET-based repellant available in Italy? I have a vague recollection of reading that it's difficult if not impossible to find in the EU. I could be misremembering, however, or the situation could have changed.

Yes! Bring (or purchase) it. Not only in Venice, but everywhere in Italy. Except over 3000m we have mosquitoes everywhere in Italy in August -.-'
You can purchase it in almost any kind of supermarket, but even in the most of pharmacies, tobacco shops (where isn't sold only tobacco) or general stores.

When we went to Italy, I took insect repellent in the form of “Off” wipes. (Mosquitos tend to like me). We did carry-on only, and I’ve never counted wipes as liquids, so it was easier to pack. It’s not as good of coverage as a spray, but If nothing else, they’d hold you over until you’re able to find a can of repellent in a store.

Ok, sounds like we have to include attention to mosquito repellent. I had not thought of Italy as being mosquito prone, I must admit. But glad to know easy to buy there, although might include some of those packets too. I don’t intend to check luggage.

This size is 3-1-1- compliant ( https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-3-1-1-liquids-rule)

https://www.amazon.com/Bens-Mosquito-Insect-Repellent-Ounce/dp/B00HJTH0EE/ref=asc_df_B00HJTH0EE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312149930530&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11348140217130093244&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=200709&hvtargid=pla-569966919835&psc=1

and should give you a good start until you can track some down locally.

I highly recommend this:

https://www.rei.com/product/887628/sawyer-picaridin-insect-repellent-lotion-4-fl-oz?sku=8876280001

There is no deet and you can spray it on your clothes. You can spray on your skin too, but it's not necessary.

I did what Barbara G did. It doesn’t count as a liquid.

Both of us brought a 2.5 oz spray bottle of Off Smooth & Dry - it was 15% Deet with no unpleasant smell and powdery feel. We were glad we did because the late September - early October mosquitoes were pretty brutal. We had an outdoor evening wait at the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and the mosquitos were intense. We sprayed some before leaving our room but I wish I had brought some to help others who were suffering. There were plenty in Venice as well and they infiltrated our room. Our Florence hotel room was supplied with the pug-in mosquito device but we still needed our sprays. The mosquitos weren't as bad for us in Rome and Ostia Antica but I was glad I brought a small suncreen in my 3-1-1 ! We had 18 very sunny days, 2 overcast days and one rainy day. There wasn't a sunscreen strong enough for me!

Thanks for the additional recommendations. Will have to decide between bringing spray or towelettes.

If you prefer towelettes, do bring them, because (in France at least, and I assume similarly in Italy) they seem far less common to me here. As in, I never noticed them in supermarkets and pharmacies.

I had not thought of Italy as being mosquito prone, I must admit.

Malaria is an Italian word after all.

We forget it because it was mostly eradicated before WWII, but once upon a time 1 Italian settlement out of three was in a malaria zone, the remaining ones were on top of hills to escape both the invaders and the Mosquitos.

Besides unsolicited history lessons, AC and fans are the best way to keep mosquitos out of the hotel rooms during the night. The typical plug-in repellent is a more environmentally sustainable alternative.

When we checked into our hotel room in Florence we were impressed with the red flocked wallpaper. Until that night we realized after several rounds that in fact the red color came from squashed mosquitos. Bring the wipes.

Oh my goodness!!! I am certainly glad I asked.

Beth, I will be in Venice in August as well, and I am very glad you asked!