Did You Know?

No Mozzie was born in 2012, but it took years for us to research and finesse the finished product. Our field-testing around the world, from Vanuatu to Costa Rica, was itchy but invaluable! Below we’ve collated some nuggets of information that we found along the journey.

There are over 3000 species of mosquito

… and they’ve been around since the dinosaurs. Mosquitoes similar to those we know today were around millions of years before humans appeared.

Only the female sucks blood

Both male and female mozzies feed on plant nectar, but only the female sucks blood and does so for the protein necessary to produce eggs. A very few species do not bite at all.

Humans aren’t the main source of blood

Humans are recent additions to the list of blood meal providers. Other mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs are also targets.

Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest animals in the World

Mosquito-borne diseases kill around a million people every year. Malaria, Dengue, Zika, Yellow fever, West Nile and Chikungunya are just some of the better known. There are many more.

Mosquitoes are (almost) everywhere

With the exception of Antarctica, Iceland and maybe one or two other places, mosquitoes are pretty much omnipresent. Global warming means that some of the more “exotic” species, notably Aedes albopictus – the Asian Tiger, are creeping North.

Many claimed “repellents” are completely ineffective

Sadly there are numerous so-called “repellents” available for purchase in the UK that offer no protection at all. Candles, wristbands, electronic devices, pills, fans – even laundry detergents – are all utterly ineffective.

What’s the best advice for avoiding mosquito bites?

Cover up – especially at dawn and dusk. Use No Mozzie or other PMD-based repellent (or DEET-based if you can’t get hold of No Mozzie). In tropical areas use a mosquito net. In malaria zones take antimalarial tablets – Malaria is largely preventable but can be fatal.

Flying insects hate oil

We found this out in the early days of our tests. Flying insects hate oil because it impedes their ability to fly. Also, if oil gets onto their body they can suffocate because they breathe through their skin.

Mosquitoes love water

Mosquitoes breed in water and are attracted to humidity. No Mozzie is anhydrous i.e. it contains no water. Why? Because water actually dries the skin, and mosquitoes are attracted to the humidity produced when water evaporates from the skin.

What is PMD Rich Botanic Oil?

PMD Rich Botanic Oil is also known as “oil of Lemon Eucalyptus” (not to be confused with “Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil”) and by the brand names Citrepel® or Citriodiol®. It is a natural product derived from essential oils – predominantly Lemon Eucalyptus or Lemongrass – and is proven to be as effective as DEET. PMD has been notified under the European Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) 98/8/EC (now BPR Regulation No. 528/212).

Use repellents properly

It’s no good just applying repellent to your “pulse points”, or spraying it in the air and walking through the mist! All repellents, including No Mozzie, will only protect the skin that they cover.