Jungle Formula is effective against mosquitoes, midges and a variety of flying biting insects. Those found in the UK and other non-tropical areas such as Europe and the Mediterranean are not as dangerous as those found in the tropics. Although the reaction to an insect bite can be uncomfortable, itchy and painful, it is rarely fatal.

The most irritating insects in the UK are mosquitoes and midges and in areas such as the Scottish Highlands and Lake District, they can be particularly menacing.

Travelling abroad, particularly to tropical areas is more dangerous and special care should be taken to protect yourself against being bitten especially by mosquitoes, which can carry serious diseases such as Malaria, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever and West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes – the facts
Mosquitoes are like mini vampires, most species of mosquito feed between dusk and dawn, however, they can tolerate sunlight and can be present during daylight hours, often taking refuge indoors. Only female mosquitoes bite because they need the protein from the blood for their eggs to develop. Male mosquitoes prefer to feed on flower nectar. Mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs in stagnant water and humid conditions help the development of the larvae.

Mosquitoes are attracted to people by various factors including warmth, movement, smell and carbon dioxide from our breath. Insect repellents work by making it difficult for them to find us, they inhibit receptors in the mosquitoes antennae which would normally be stimulated by these attractants. Some people smell much more appetising to mosquitoes than others and it is worth remembering that perfumes found in soaps, skin and hair-care products may also attract mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are responsible for the spread of serious diseases, some of which can be fatal.

Just One Bite
Despite popular belief, everyone gets bitten, it is just that some people do not show a "reaction" to the bite. This reaction (itching, swelling and redness) is caused by an allergic response to the insect’s saliva, which is injected into the skin. Those individuals who think they never get bitten, are simply not allergic to the saliva, and therefore have no visible reaction.

This is why it is vital that everyone takes precautions against being bitten, particularly in countries where insect transmitted diseases are endemic.

Remember it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to contract a serious disease such as malaria.