Posted By Sean Fraser We've just been advised of a contractor who has been working outside replacing a reactor vessel on site at Ramsgate. Apparently the area was infested with biting insects and it wasn't until after he had compelted the work and looked properly that he estimated between 45 to 50 bites on the face, neck and hands, some of which caused him sufficient discomfort to seek advice from his doctor. As a result, he has been prescribed an antibiotic course (Amoxicillin) and hydrocortisone for the bite areas. Since we as a nation are experiencing a general increase in temperatures over time (more extreme in the south than in the north), we are seeing an influx of mosquitoes form the continent beginning to take up residence in the UK. Although malaria was effectively eliminated in Europe decades ago, is there still a risk of serious diseases other than adverse reaction to the insect anti-coagulant, the most common problem caused by biting insects in the UK such as midges and klegs? I have been told recently of someone who developed septicemia from an infected insect bite, but such episodes are rare and are more to do with hygiene and general health than the nature of the insect and the bite itself. What can we do to advise our outdoor workers - provide insect repellant? And if so, what is the most effective? On warm days, additional PPE would not be a welcome suggestion!

Posted By Andy Petrie Garlic capsules work, however they can make the breath a bit smelly. I think you can get odourless ones though.

Posted By Sean Fraser Peter, Thanks for the suggestion - I'll look into it. I know that some repellents are more effective than others but since I don't use them myself I wouldn't know which ones were on the market! I'm not too sure how garlic capsules would work, although it does have a mild antiseptic effect but I always thought it had to applied topically (i.e. biting into a raw clove sooths a toothache but makes you less than popular in enclosed spaces) rather than ingested and digested. Still, always worth a try from a health point of view too! I thought of an additional concern - biting insects are a distraction, and a work site is a dangerous place. Put the two together and it is important that we include such considerations in our risk assessments along with sun exposure and dehydration.

Posted By Struan News Flash -Man bites Midge causing a discrimatory divide in an entimology lab. Midge is not happy and has called his pals

Posted By Ron Hunter A bit of confused advice suggested above for easing toothache! Cloves (and particularly oil of Cloves) is a natural antiseptic and painkiller and works wonders on toothache. (Remember Dustin Hoffman/ Laurence Olivier in Marathon Man? ("is it safe?"). Can't see how a clove of garlic would make you anything else but unpopular.

Posted By Andy Petrie I was right about the garlic you know: http://www.garlicbarrier.com/ and this extract is from the Gaurdian: Fortunately, natural medicine offers quite a few effective means of protecting our bodies from the unwanted attentions of tiny winged creatures. Garlic, for instance, has long been believed to have insect-repellent potential, as this herb does not just taint the breath, but the sweat, too. Garlic odours literally ooze out of our pores, and it appears this may act as a deterrent to insects. One study found that individuals supplemented with garlic capsules were much less likely to be bitten by ticks compared to those taking placebo. In this study, the dose of garlic used was 1,200mg (1.2g) per day. This is roughly equivalent to one clove of garlic a day. Ideally, the garlic should be taken raw, as cooking tends to reduce its pungency and may diminish its repellent effects.

Posted By Laurie I have always believed that garlic is a good contraceptive, as long as only one of the hopefuls has been chewing it!! Laurie