USVI-On-Line

Hi everyone - Sorry, but for some reason I am unable to search previous posts. Anyway, I am starting to buy things for our trip in July and bug spray will be on the list. My one daughter is always getting bit when the mosquitos are out what should we use? Hopefully, the bugs will not be an issue but want to be prepared. She is 10 and son is 13. Thanks.

Hi Hawaii
We were on St John the last week of July into the first week in August last summer. They had a ton of rain in the middle of July so you can imagine what the mosquitos were like two weeks later when we arrived. Mosquitos really seem to love us especially my kids, so I brought a bunch of different bug sprays with me after reading lots of posts on here as well as the review of sprays on consumer reports. I really liked Bull Frog Mosquito Coast (I think it was Deet free and also worked as a sunblock which worked well because there were tons of mosquitos even hiking to get to some of the beaches.) We also used Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard sunscreen insect repellant during the day. At night we used Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus or sometimes OFF Family Care Smooth and Dry. I personlly try to use the ones without DEET, but I always kept some OFF DEEP WOODS towelettes in my purse at night just in case the other spray wasnt effective. But for our family the others seemed to work fine. I know some folks on here say that only the really strong DEET products work for them. Good luck! Were heading back in July this year too and Im hoping the skeeters wont be as much of an issue.

Mar - Thanks for all the great information will have to print this out. When are you going in July and where are you in Pennsylvania? This is our first trip and we are super excited.

Hi Hawaii
We are from Harleysville and we are going July 14. What are your dates? Were really excited too. Can't wait!!

Hi Mar - I sent you a pm.

Be careful with DEET, especially around kids. It is a strong central nervous system toxin and melts plastics, leather and paints (including nail polish). My own personal DEET reactions include incredibly swollen hands and feet.

We go with the Cutter Advanced Picaridan spray for mosquitos. You need to re-apply it more often than the DEET-based sprays, but its good for a couple of hours. We haven't had any negative reactions to Picaridin.

Cheers, RickG

RickG - Thanks for the info. Hopefully, we will not need bug spray but just want to be prepared. I definitely do not want to use anything that will be harmful.

I agree with Rick on the Deet. My husband and son are both bug magnets and get bitten very easily. We switched to California Baby Bug Repallant and have great success with it on STJ. My husband just asked me to stock up on it for our trip in May. And you don't have to worry about putting chemicals on your kids

During our trip last summer my wife & I used Off Active: http://www.off.com/en-US/Products/Pages ... llent.aspx We got a couple of the small 3oz. pump spray bottles. It worked great.

I lived in Ponce Inlet, Fl for many years, used to be known as Mosquito Inlet, anywho, learned that people who eat bananas on a regular basis(me), something about the way it metabolizes in the body attracts the bugs. Tried this, and alot less bites. Laura