Mosquito Repellent

Hi Alascana,

The most commonly found brand of insect repellent (repellente de mosquito) as you might expect is OFF, there is also Repelex, Exposis among others. You should be able to pick some up at any major (chain) drugstore. Don't know just how effective, or strong,  they are here, so you might want to bring some with you that has a high DEET content.

Here's just one example (don't know if they have 'physical' stores up north though):

http://www.drogaraia.com.br/RaiaEcommWe … ?cdMenu=86

Cheers,
James
expat.com Experts Team

You can buy window screen kits that will keep the bugs out of your home at Leroy Merlyn home improvement stores. 

I also suggest bringing some long sleeve fishing shirts (not white) They are designed to vent heat and will keep you comfortable and bugfree.

I don't know if you've been to Brasil before but, in case this is your first trip, do not try to dress as the natives do until your body adjusts. Bring a wide brim hat (mine is collapsable) to protect your head and neck. A really god pair of sunglasses w/side covers is a must.

Don't worry about how you will appear. No one really cares.

Sunburn and sunsickness are possible if you expose too much of yourself too soon.

Be sure to have a way to carry bottled water with you to avoid dehydration.

If you've ever been to Florida in the summer, do what you did then.

Hi Alascana,

Don't know if you've been to Brazil before, but Belém, the city you're planning on moving to, is probably one of the hottest in all of Brazil and there is virtually no change of seasons. It hovers around 80 - 81º F all year round. The rainy period starts in December (200mm) and runs through May (240mm). The heaviest rains are in March (365mm).  If you're coming directly from Alaska and haven't been in tropical regions on any prolonged basis before you really do need to heed @exnyer's advise about protecting yourself from exposure to the sun until you adapt. It may take a good long time.

You may really want to consider vaccination for Yellow Fever even though it is not compulsory and embarking on an oral program of Anti-Malarial medications such as Doxycycline:

Doxycycline (also known as Vibramycin-D)

    dosage  the dose is 100mg daily as a tablet or capsule. You should start the tablets two days before you travel and take them each day you're in a risk area, and for four weeks after you return.
    recommendations  not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under the age of 12 (because of the risk of permanent tooth discolouration), people who are sensitive to tetracycline antibiotics, or people with liver problems.
    possible side effects  stomach upset, heartburn, thrush, and sunburn as a result of light sensitivity. It should always be taken with food, preferably when standing or sitting.
    other factors  it is relatively cheap. If you take doxycycline for acne, it will also provide protection against malaria as long as you're taking an adequate dose. Ask your GP.

Cheers,
James
expat.com Experts Team

"I don't know if you've been to Brasil before but, in case this is your first trip, do not try to dress as the natives do until your body adjusts. Bring a wide brim hat (mine is collapsable) to protect your head and neck. A really god pair of sunglasses w/side covers is a must."

Oh my God you going to have him looking like Sir David Livingstone as he conquered  the Zambezi in that get up....

Hey stevefunk 2 funny/kkkkk/lol. To solve the mystery, I was up north for the big 90 days and it was good. I wanted  to sign up for 90 more (lol) I  immediately dressed as the natives with white socks and sandals and had a variety of hats even the one mentioned (kkkk) yet the baseball cap seemed to work with no problem, I opted for the recommended shots, yellow fever  and  typhoid and had the doxycycelen  just in case of emergency as the side effects of doxycycelen with the sun is a challenge as I elected not to take it, for i was there for Sun and Fun. I got bite by the "no see em" mosquito and no major problem just a little irretation and called it a day. So I am good. Thanks for adding some fun to the question as I have a lot of questions. Take care

Seriously though ....I use the super repelex family care with deet (12%) and citronella
It's cheap comes in a blue plastic spray bottle and works ok costs about R$15 and goes quickly

Avoid the expensive cream in the white bottle at all costs it is so weak it does noothing at all...

The repelents in Brazil are really really weak and expensive for some reason.....funny for a country with a dengue epidemic.....In Thailand you can buy 50 - 95% Deet repellent - Lethal to small children the sick and the elderly as well as anything that bites crawls or flies

Strongest I've found here is about 15% DEET ....I've found from personal experience that 25 DEET is Ideal

Here is a recipe. Works well.

Need a 16 oz spray bottle.
In the bottle mix the following;
15 drops lavender oil
4 table spoons vanilla extract
1 quarter of a cup of lemon juice

Fill the bottle with water, shake and spray on.

Thanks Stumpy as there are plenty of oils up north.

stumpy wrote:

Here is a recipe. Works well.

Need a 16 oz spray bottle.
In the bottle mix the following;
15 drops lavender oil
4 table spoons vanilla extract
1 quarter of a cup of lemon juice

Fill the bottle with water, shake and spray on.

I found this Recipe on the Web, have not tried it, just information.
How To Make Your Own Mosquito Repellent
https://www.yahoo.com/news/own-mosquito … soc_trk=ma
Enjoy the read if one has time there's also a video on how to and it is amusing.