TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Mosquitos

Any tips keeping these relentless bugs away

Use the highest percentage of deet you can find and reapply often.

Where will you be staying and what season?

I much prefer Permethrin over DEET - far less toxicity. The U.S. military has used the Permethrin approach for years. You can treat your clothing (and bedsheets) with it, and it will last for several washes. It actually kills insects on contact; and doesn't melt plastic like pure DEET does.

Agree with Zanshin, but if you want to go with the non DEET strategy, they are really repelled by peppermint, lavendar, or eucalyptus, so find some soaps with one of those scents.

However, if you do want a spray-on repellent, I really like this one, Repel, which has a lemon eucalyptus base; you can buy in bulk on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008H5B95A/ref=dp_iou_view_item?ie=UTF8&th=1

We used to use coils in a like ash tray in our room at night. They really bug me at night so I am going to keep my ears covered too Will probably ware lite white pjs too. And keep a small fan really small next to my bedside.

The rechargeable Thermacell actually works. Maybe try one of those.

Here right now in virgin Gorda

They say thet mozzies cant fly in more than 5 mph wind so I find a strong fan and trade winds do the trick!

If only there was more wind today! Lots of rain lately and the mozzies are out for revenge.

The mosquitos on Anegada don't know that rule.

They are usually the worst at dawn and dusk, staying inside then helps. Lightweight pants, and lightweight long sleeve tops. Bug spray. Fans if outside (especially if it is not windy)

An old timers advice...anchor or moor where you are downwind from any land, or as far from the land in your lee as possible. Mozzies find you by smell and then home in on heat...make their flight to you from shore as long as possible. And yeah, they are brutal right now