Those darm no-seeums!%#*

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:57 pm

Leaving next Friday..can't wait. However, could use a recommendation or two for repellent. Last year the magic hour seemed to be 4:30 on the beach; they were so annoying we packed up each day to avoid bites.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:52 pm

John and I take a three-pronged approach. In the morning, we slather on Off brand active spf 30 sunscreen which has an included bug repellent. In the afternoon after showering we reapply that plus top off with a liberal spraying of the off stuff that comes in the aerosol can. Finally, when it gets to be dusk, we apply repel 100 sparingly around our ankles and on our feet.

We both get minimal bites. We bring spray on benedryl for the bites we do get.

I have heard that avoiding bananas for a few weeks before your trip helps also.

steveo2916 · Post by **steveo2916** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:19 pm

So I keep hearing that Avon Skin So Soft is the magic No-See-Um repellent. I'll admit that I use it liberally when I'm visiting and don't seem to be bothered by 'em. BUT we're usually at the beach in the morning, not late in the afternoon. Anyone else hear this, or am I just prey to the "tourist bug-attack" urban legend??? Maybe I'll just wander over to nopes.com to check...

SteveO.

martini girl · Post by **martini girl** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:23 pm

okay, my next installment of our trip report will wax on and on about my bug bites, but I will say that the guys at Courtesy Car Rental said that Skin So Soft does the trick. Of course I had a bottle of that sitting at home in the linen closet. Fat lot of good that did me! There's also something I brought along called "After Bite". I'm quite sure it has pure ammonia in it - it does list ammonia as the main ingredient. It stops the itching because it burns like h-e-double hockey sticks! It helped me and my 200-plus bites (I am not kidding).

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:33 pm

I remember back during Desert Storm, all the troops in Kuwait were begging for Skin Soft because it was the only thing that kept those nasty Middle Eastern bugs from biting! Apparently it works!

luv2travel · Post by **luv2travel** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:22 pm

So which Avon skin so soft product is the one to get?

Went to Avon.com and there are a lot of products.

Thanks

luv2travel · Post by **luv2travel** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:24 pm

So which Avon skin so soft product is the one to get?

Went to Avon.com and there are a lot of products.

Thanks

Sorry I found it!

Jumbiegirl · Post by **Jumbiegirl** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:11 am

OMG, I've never had that much bug problem on St John! I think I put on bug repellant 5 whole days out of 9 whole trips! Must be the time of year.

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:57 am

Hey Jumbiegirl - Unfortunately it isn't the time of year. I have been in January, February, March and the end of June and have been a meal for those little buggers each time. I haven't tried the fall, but assume the same thing would happen.

It is my blood chemistry - my Dad is the same way. While he was in the military and in Vieques, he was attacked and the medic told him he had never seen anyone with such a problem with the sand fleas/no seeums or whatever. He became swollen and had welts that lasted for years. Fortunatley, I'm not that bad, but it does suck! My husband will have one or two bites and I'll end up with fifty despite the DEET, skin so soft, vitamin B combination.

Oh well! I just need to leave the beach early. Funny, I was just in Jamaica and had no problem at all with them. I was out on the beach until past dusk, early in the morning and very late at night. About three mosquitoes got me the whole time.

FlaGeorge · Post by **FlaGeorge** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:12 am

Living in Florida, we get our fair share of mosquitoes and no-see’ems. I came across 2 products that work great both here in Florida and on STJ.

The repellent that we use is GreenHead insect repellent (http://www.greenheadfly.com/main.html ) the stuff is great and last a heck of a long time. I only apply it once a day when needed. I keep a bottle in my car at all times. Check it out.

The second thing I use is called Pic Citronella Coils (http://www.pic-corp.com/www/consumer/coils.htm ). They have twice the Citronella then the candles do. This is another great product that I use both in Fla & STJ.

In May’ 2005 we used both products on STJ and never had a problem. We set up the coils around the pool area and were never bothered by any bugs. I never though about bring them to the beach, but I think I will do it this May when we go.

CShell1019 · Post by **CShell1019** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:03 am

Not necessarily dependent upon time of year, but the no-see-'ems, et al love the liquid sunshine, early morn and late afternoon. Stay away from walking in the tall grass and they hide in the folage. When it's breezy, I think they are all blown away since that seems to keep the count down. I reassure you that if you visit the same time I do, you will have no problem since they will all be well satiated by dining on me. Been told that it has to do with the pH of one's blood and they must love mine - here or there! I have faithfully used Skin-so-Soft (the regular and not even tried the newer anti-buggie ones) since I was introduced to it at Caneel on one of my first visits to the Virgins years ago where it was among the toiletries. I've not tried but others have had success with mega doses of Vitamin B at least 2 weeks before traveling. At the pharmacy in Red Hook (if it's even still there and I understand also available on STJ at the sister), you can get "GOOP." It is super for all kinds of itches and bites and very soothing especially if kept refrigerated. I always have a stockpile since NJ moskitos are notorious.

BTW, off topic, a friend in the BVI's says it is now confirmed that Bransen bought Moskito Island and is going to build a "family resort" there. BVI is busting at the seams, it seems. Wonder if he'll attract those same families that go to Necker

Wonder what that rack rate will be and if we can use priceline!

kellyanna · Post by **kellyanna** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:50 pm

This is from "drugstore.com" I don't think there are any medical studies re: Vitamin B-1. But I've been told it is only vitamin B-1 that would work. I'm going to try it because my husband is from southeast AR and the mosquitoes are HUGE all year round---so when we go visit maybe I'll be left alone.

drugstore.com "Some people believe that vitamin B-1 repels insects. It may work as you perspire by giving off a taste and odor that insects find unpleasant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the use of vitamin B-1 as an insect repellent and has concluded that it's not effective. But since vitamin B-1 appears to be safe at recommended doses, you might want to give it a try if you spend a lot of time outdoors. A dose of 150 mg three or four times a day has been recommended for adults, starting one day before exposure to insects."

Genral · Post by **Genral** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:32 pm

On island, Pat and I just use the regular OFF and it works fine - no bites. Next time, we're gonna bring the OFF repellant lanterns for use at the villa. Those are the ones that have a small candle burning underneath the repellant saturated sponge thingy. Works like a charm in the woods were we live. Genral

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:30 pm

FlaGeorge.....I am interested in ordering the greehead fly repellant, but I'm wondering if it can be poured into a smaller bottle. I'm trying to get by with carry on only and there is that 3 oz. rule.

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:13 pm

cypressgirl wrote:FlaGeorge.....I am interested in ordering the greehead fly repellant, but I'm wondering if it can be poured into a smaller bottle. I'm trying to get by with carry on only and there is that 3 oz. rule.

I think anything you take in a 3 oz. bottle has to be the original bottle for the product. I don't think you can use those little travel size clear bottles any more.

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