TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico No See Ums

Okay, last January on St. Thomas around Sapphire Beach I daily had at least 20 bites on me. I saw only the ocassional mosquitto, but I'd never saw the 'no see ums' - which is what others said were attacking them.

Some people in the area swore they'd never return to USVI because of the bugs. Some friends can't believe I'm going back.

So to better prepare myself for this coming January, I am doing my research ahead of time. Last year I used Cutter Deep Woods Off in the 20-30% DEET range depending upon current label. I'd spray in morning, especially legs and arms, I'd spray in evening.

Bites never really itched so bad, but I was full of red dots on my arms and legs. My body didn't like the bites as the dots would swell up like a thumb tack. Treating bites with tri-bacteria ointment or cortozone didn't make a difference.

In fact, spraying didn't seem to help on number of bites, but in evening around pool or out walking, spray helped reduce what was flying around me.

I tried garlic tablets, no effect.

And it doesn't help that the patio door on condo doesn't really seal.

Thoughts on improving my chances this coming Jan? Never had this problem sailing all those previous years.

Thanks for assistance. Oh, and those silly little lemon scented braclets don't work, but they sure smell nice.

Sounds like bed bugs!

"Never had this problem sailing all those previous years."

That is because you are not on land, never have no see um problems at anchor. Did anyone else get bit?

Suppose they're Sand Flea's?

I pretty much ruled out bed bugs, as I used to give talks on bed bugs at state fair for work, and I've worked with some leading authorities on how to check for them, roommate never had bites in room or on shore, or at night. I'm the lucky one.

Lucky you...I empathize as I was bitten badly one year on St John...the key for us was leaving the beach by 4 or as soon as the wind died down...the trade winds did a good job of keeping them away but sitting on the beach in the late afternoon can be iffy <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

I get these symptoms from No See Ums. Claritin/Allegra helps. Dosing my ankles with bug spray is the key for me. We use the picaridin sprays such as Cutter Advanced or Repel.

Cheers, RickG

Anyone have any luck with the patches or B1??

1. I regularly take a multi-B of high dosage, and it doesn't help me with bugs. I am a bug magnet, while those with me experience nothing I am a pin cushion.

2. I will be taking picaridin spray with me in Jan, as well as DEET.

3. I do use medication to control itching like Allegra or whatever.

Like I tried to imply, I never noticed the bites or the bitters, just the red spots afterwards and it didn't matter which ointment I used post-bite to treat the bite/red spot; after several days they would clear, but there were always new ones to take their place.

Fortunately, there is always Cruzan rum around as well as Carib beer (no I don't mix them together).

Which may explain the error in my other current postings to snorkeling locations on St. T.

Not sure if the bars and restaurants still do it, but Gin always seems to keep the no see ums away.

There has been many a night at Rhumb Lines, Beach Bar, etc... that the bartender would give you a shot of gin for the bugs. Rub down your legs and ankles and no bites.

For me it works better than any spray.

Hmmmm, How bout the internal use as an alternative. Sound more fun and maybe kill two bugs with one "STONE"..

Always recommend Internal and External usage.

When in STJ
Bar grade for the legs
Good Stuff with Ting for consumption.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Actually Gin or Vodka and 151 proof rum will work, but only for A few minutes.
DEET @ 20%+ is the only proven solution.
But don't worry the No-Seeums go to sleep around 8pm.

I will not disagree with you on the deet, but what I was trying to point out was when you are at Rhumb Lines or Beach Bar please use gin, vodka, or 151. Please avoid applying deet in a public place. A few drinks and rubbing down your legs with a little alc will keep the bugs away.

If you are at your villa or on your boat spray away if you like.

DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus and IR3535 all work as bug spray. Permethrin works for clothing. I prefer Picaridin, but keep Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus on the boat. DEET is the only one that will melt you plastic and your DNA. If DEET works for you, go ahead and use it. But apply that toxic it well away from me.

There are plenty of references out there on this, from the EPA to REI and Consumer Reports.

Cheers, RickG

Picaridin is absorbed through your skin and can effect your kidneys because it's expelled through your body during urination.
Now DEET destroys your brain cells but so does rum. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Jeez, so you're saying one is better than the other?? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />

Do the math, we have billions of brain cells and only 2 kidneys <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

If you say so. Doesn't sound a great choice either way.. I don't want to be hanging around without brain cells..

I haven't found a magic formula for No seems, but in my experience:
1. DEET works best
2. Staying around crowded places works some, but I hate this solution.
3. Vit B complex did not work for me.
4. I recommend the combination Avon sunscreen and bug repellent since it is long lasting, doesn't have a DEET odor, and you only have to apply one thing instead of 2.

PS: My worst experience was in a remote, isolated villa on St John.

Dan - you are talking about no see ums right? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Not to worry... alcohol kills the weaker brain-cells first, leaving the smarter stronger ones. So, your average intelligence per brain cell increases. It's like lions picking off the weak gazelles in the herd. The herd benefits in the long run, and the lions get lunch.

OK, Twanger, if you say so!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

OK, so I googled DEET EPA and found this:

http://www2.epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet

An excerpt:

"After completing a comprehensive re-assessment of DEET, EPA concluded that insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern."

Dan <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

I totally agree, it's a scientific fact.
It's also reccomended to occasionally take a shot of 151 to track down the weaker cell that got away. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Yes I was talking about NoSeeums. The Villa was on a bluff above the water with no other villas very close at the time. The owner said they were NoSeeums and I agreed based upon previous Caribbean trips. There were also some mosquitos, but they did not seems to be as aggressive in seeking a victim as the NoSeeums. They were prevalent until ~ 9am and starting returning at ~4:30 pm. We also saw some at Lameshur beach, but at most beaches they weren't a problem (maybe because we missed prime time).

I am now up to 3 variations of chemical formulas for no-see-ums to take with me. we'll see which works best.

It appears from most readings, that the Avon and other such lesser damaging products work for those lucky ones that are not natural magnets for bugs.

I have used military grade sprays that kept everything away, but one typically sprayed their clothing the night before - outside and then put clothes on the next day. That was nasty stuff but it worked.

And yes, DEET and others melt paint off pens and pencils and plastic.

But malaria, lyme disease, sleeping sickness, and some of those other pesky infections are worse than the bug sprays.

As I am a magnet for these things, as well as mosquittos; I'll be spraying myself. But those around me need not fear overspray, as I remove myself from bar, restaurant,and then spray so I'm down wind of people.

Oh, and stocking in antihistamines.