War Against the Mosquito Continues ... This Time with a Certain Yellow Fruit!

My sister-in-law recently sent me an interesting article about the most beloved of fruits, the banana. You know, stuff that we all know like, how bananas are an instant and substantial boost of energy; and that 2 pieces of this super fruit will provide you with enough energy for a 90 minute workout. 

But this piece of writing also had some other interesting facts about why we should include bananas in our daily diet. For example, did you know that bananas are essential for combating mild depression and PMS? They are also helpful in the fight against anemia and high blood pressure as well as soothing heartburn. Oh yes, and they are a useful foodstuff when suffering with morning sickness. 

Now obviously the latter is of little concern to me these days, and to be quite frank the only thing that soothes my heartburn is half a pack of peppermint Rennies. Nonetheless, what really interested me, and probably the reason why I was sent the article in the first place, is that apparently bananas are good for mosquito bites. I mean, who would have thought it? First time I've read anything in the same thread and believe me I have read a lot this past year about mosquitoes! Anyway, it's not the eating of the tropical fruit that offers up the the supposed salve to those irritating bites. No, it's the inside skin of the banana being rubbed on the infected area that many people find successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

The things is, I'm pretty good during my waking hours at NOT touching the irritating bites. But at night! In my sleep! I can't tell you how often I have woken myself up because I'm scratching at my ankles ferociously. 

So last night, I thought I'd give this 'new-fangled-miracle-cure' a try. I broke my rule of eating something sweet before bed time (c'mon, who am I kidding), and much to the horror of DH, I proceeded to rub the discarded banana skin over my legs and ankles. Hmmm, a much more pleasing aroma than my usual night-time perfume  - Eau de Deet! Mind you, my legs smelt ever so slightly sickly though, a bit like those banana sweets you can buy at a pick-a-mix stand.

The result? Well I'm not really sure. I mean, I didn't wake up itching or anything. 

So, in the name of science, and for the good of all humanity, I am willing to undertake to the experiment a few more times. If nothing else, at least I can make use of the skins on our new crop of bananas when they are ready!

Our latest crop!

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Rango the Iguana v Malcom the Mosquito.

Last night as I was plagued with insomnia (again), I started contemplating how long Rango (see yesterday's post) had been playing hide and seek in our bedroom? An hour or two, possibly a day or even more? I'm not sure really, because after all he only left 1 solid present for us and no puddles (sorry for being so crude!). 

Out of interest, does anybody know how long an iguana can hold its bladder for? No me neither.

Malcom the Miserly Mosquito

Anyway, for the first time in about 3 nights, my arch-enemies, the mosquitoes, returned, feasting on my legs and ankles with a vengeance. So I got to thinking that perhaps Rango had actually been protecting me all along. Kind of like a fairy godmother ... admittedly in an uniquely strange and unconventional disguise, but who am I to say what a fairy godmother should be wearing these days? But I digress. Instead of gratifying me with a pretty frock, a pumpkin carriage and ultimately a handsome prince, (which would have been very nice don't get me wrong), maybe Rango was in reality charged with preserving my (delicate!) limbs by overindulging on the pesky flying bugs that I 'love' so much. 

Who knows. 

But I feel really bad that we have banished Rango to the garden now, because as I am itching like CRAZEEEEEE!!

Mosquito update!

With the rains come more bugs, or so I'm told.

Well, so far, here in PlayaHermosa, we have only really encountered two or three major rainfalls. The landscape is slowly turning green - hence it is known as the 'green season' rather than the 'rainy season': far more romantic a term, one that hooks the tourists in better too, I'm sure.

However, has no one told the bugs that we haven't experienced much rainfall yet? More specifically the mosquitoes? 

I was beginning to think that I had adapted to the damn creatures, because over the past few months, I had been getting bitten less and less. But alas no, a few drops of rain and their super-duper tracking devices have found me yet again. My lower legs, ankles and feet are reminiscent of a child's 'Dot-to-Dot' picture. In fact, the mosquitoes must have had difficulty finding a space to bite last night, as they ventured up towards my arms instead. 

Recently at school, YS made some concoction of cloves, alcohol and baby oil that is supposed to protect you from the blighters. Not sure if it does, but I rub it on every evening religiously. Combing his mixture along with the Deet that I also spray over myself, plus the couple of garlic cloves I eat every day and the vitamin B tablets that I take (if I remember),  I smell delicious!!! I think people can smell me coming before they see me. 

But guess what? I still get bitten more than anyone else. 

It's just not fair!! (Slight temper tantrum similar to a petulant toddler ensues!)

Mosquitoes.

As Dwight David Eisenhower once said, 

"Ankles are nearly always neat and good looking, but knees are nearly always not." 

 I think mosquitoes agree, because they love my ankles. No, let me rephrase that; mosquitoes ADORE my ankles ... and my legs ... and my wrists ... and ... well you get the picture. (They do seem to avoid my knees interestingly!).

So for the past three months, my lower limbs have looked similar to a Dalmatian; instead of white with black spots, my legs are brown with red spots. Most attractive!

I have tried dressing in a decorous Victorian fashion and show as little leg as possible, but in this heat it is too much for me to bear, although I have yet to swoon!

So to make myself, and the family, less attractive to these blood-suckers, we all eat plenty of garlic infused food; when ingested, garlic makes the blood less attractive to female mosquitoes. I also regularly cover myself in Deet insect repellent; as you can imagine, I smell great! At home we have plug-ins in the bedrooms and burning, swirling smelly things and citronella candles are lit most evenings. Oh, and don't forget the cans and cans of bug spray that are stored in various cupboards around the house, and the insect nets on all the windows. But nothing works. My legs still have the appearance of carrying some infectious disease.

Thankfully I am not too vain: what with my polka-dot legs and my once dark brown hair turning ginger (with an inch thick black roots and gloriously grey streaks - please pick up on the sarcastic tone here reader!), I must look as good as my Deet-sprayed body smells. 

However, for the past ten days, I have been taking Thiamin Plus. Recommended by our neighbour, Randy, it apparently produces a body odour (brilliant, another one!!) that female mosquitoes hate. The supplement, otherwise known as Vitamin B1, is supposed to take two weeks before it becomes effective, but so far ... so good. I have not been bitten for about a week. 

Thank God as I don't relish the next product on my list of preventative measures ... apple cider vinegar, yuck!