USVI-On-Line

I just saw on another list that "the skeeters" have now arrived in full force after the recent rains - something that is apparently expected when the first rains come after a relatively long dry spell. I've been to STJ 7-8 times but never in May, always in February or March. As luck would have it, we arrive this Saturday afternoon the 15th and stay until Monday the 25th (Memorial Day). Can anyone shed additional light on how bad this is and what the normal prognosis is for how long it lasts, are there any beaches/areas where it is less of an issue, is it lessened if you set up camp on a beach as close to the water as you can, are long pants REALLY necessary, etc? Many thanks...

Yes, the skeeters did come out in force today. East End at Vie's was skeeterless. Stopped in Catherinberg on way back and they tried to carry us off. Same down in Chocolate Hole.

I have seen worse though so don't fret and let it ruin your vacation.

From previous trips, I found that the worst is over in about 5 days and then some linger. Bring the OFF or whatever you use, and enjoy your trip.

The Avon towelettes worked great for my friend. For some reason they don't bother me..I'm not complaining.

Just give me sun for the next week I'll drink enough so them suckers won't no what hit them if they take a bite of me

We noticed them today more than any other day...mainly at dusk out by the pool. Definately more cause of the rains but with bug spray it did not ruin our outside time. We're having a blast!

Today and tomorrow should be the worst days, tapering off by Saturday, There's a good breeze anywhere with east exposure-- that's helping a lot for those areas.

I appreciate all the prompt replies - thank you! Just got a bit nerve wracked there since this apparent "skeeter season" isn't something I've ever experience on STJ before (and benchill, we're staying in Catherinberg where you apparently nearly got carried off today!). Sure, there are mosquitos, noseeums, etc. - but the descriptions made it sound pretty awful, as if the locusts had arrived! I'll be sure to bring plenty of bug juice, and will pray for the breezes to be up for them to be swooped away.

I'll be there Friday so it looks like I am going to fight the mosquito population and get them all drunk by drinking and drinking and drinking...go ahead you little peckers, BITE ME.

Alright, I'll bring the off.

Glad I took some advice given here and got 2 small spay bottles of Bens Bug Spray...100% deet. Them suckers are gonna die just thinking about landing on me.....

PS. those little bug spray items were the last thing we needed to pack. We are ready to roll.

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nyestreet wrote:ca girl thanks for clearing that up for me, I saw what I thought were some kind of weird tennis rackets, people had them at the beach bar(??) last month. The memory is a little hazy. Now I know what they're for. But how do you use them?? Are the mosquitos whacked like a tennis Ball??

Yes, it's that little yellow "tennis racket". You put 2 AA batteries in the handle and there's a button you push to activate the wires. All you do is wave it across the bugs and when you make contact, they fry! Or, at home, I trap flies against the screen door and zap 'em! It's amazing how much satisfaction you can get with a simple bug zapper! I love the smell of frying bugs in the morning!

When we were on STJ in '07 it was during a mosquito storm and we took our zapper in the car with us. We couldn't manage to get all the doors closed without trapping about 10 or 15 mosquitos in there with us. My husband & friend would zap as I drove!

hmmmmm.....

Yummy...Fried skeeters.

We are here now - were on Trunk yesterday and, unless we were in the water, we were attacked. My husband is COVERED in bites. We have tried different sprays, none seem to be working (I hate having to use 100% Deet but may pick up a bottle today). Out by the pool, forget it! We are in a villa off of Centerline Rd. Great breezes - the little buggers are worse up here! Be prepared! My poor daughter (9 months) is being attacked too. She has my husband's blood! The life guard at Trunk told us that they should be gone in a few days. I don't know though - we have had some pretty good off and on rains. We'll see.