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Mosquitos in Europe

In our recent visit to Bavaria and Northern Italy, my son, granddaughter and I experienced heavy amounts of mosquitos and the resultant highly irritating bites, complete with welts. We had visited Munich, Zurich, Venice and Innsbruck and did not go into places that normally would have lots of mosquitos, like forests or swamps. I had not read anything about this and so was unprepared with repellent and salve. I don't know whether this particular summer was unusual, but I would caution people to be prepared for this onslaught!

Posted by
5398 posts

Given the flooding that Bavaria experienced, I don't think it's surprising that mosquitoes followed. We had quite dry summers for the 3 years we lived there, and didn't have a mosquito problem even though we lived near a river.

Posted by
7292 posts

Indeed I feel that there are more mosquitos than usual this year in and around Paris... but fewer wasps. Silver lining I guess!

Posted by
8859 posts

I am so sorry about those bites! I have learned to always carry mosquito repellent wipes with me in my purse or backpack. They are individually packaged, take up no space or weight to speak of and don’t count against my liquids. I have saved myself, and my travel companions more times than I can count. They are worth making part of your regular travel kit.

Posted by
740 posts

Have always taken anti mossie stuff when in southern Europe in the summer. Summer = mossies!

Posted by
8919 posts

I'm pretty skeptical of most bug bite products, but have been using this device when I get a bite. amazon breuer bug bite It generates a tiny brief sting of heat on a bite and the itch goes away.

Posted by
8919 posts

Thanks for fixing the link. The directions say apply as soon as possible after the bite, but of course you dont always know when you've been bitten until it starts to itch.

Posted by
341 posts

I have found hand sanitizer effective at eliminating the itch when applied right after the bite.

Posted by
3456 posts

Vick’s VapoRub, or the generic equivalent, also takes the sting out of bites!

Posted by
2756 posts

I have noticed mosquitoes in southern France but they are tiny girly-man sized, not the Hulkamaniac mosquitoes that you find in 'merica. Learned to keep the skylights closed at night the hard way.

Posted by
1032 posts

I am traveling to Munich and parts of Germany later this year. How were you dressed? I have been wearing closed-toed shoes, long hiking pants, long-sleeved shirt, and sun hat, outside, in warm weather. This is why I suspect I don't notice a problem with mosquitos even when I am with others who are complaining about the mosquitos.

Posted by
7762 posts

I brought these to Slovenia & Croatia last year and needed them. I shared them with another lady in my tour group who was attracting those pesky mosquitoes:

Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Towelettes - DEET-Free, Oil-Free, Protection Against Mosquitoes, Deer Ticks, Gnats, No-Seeums, Sand Flies, and Biting Midges

I tend to get more bites than the average person, and the towelettes kept me from more than 1-2 bites.

Posted by
9199 posts

The mosquitos in Frankfurt are awful this summer. I have a Bite Away device that works with applying a few seconds of high heat to the bite. It works really well and is a life saver. The neighbors have one too and use it on their kids. Sometime you have to use it a 2nd time if the itch comes back.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y3X5JDZ?maas=maas_adg_FAD470803F57E015CB5CC130FB476DA7_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsy1BhD7ARIsAHOi4xZgk1HNm-x7nzdWXSmqf5WTRCwGJBSXrh1xtRtBWvP2VbWaOJ1HCbcaAtFiEALw_wcB