USVI-On-Line

I just read Rick G's DEET allergy comment and it got me to thinking... I been to STJ 5 times, always in the January - April time frame and I can't remember applying insect repellant once! I've been bitten a few times at Francis Bay or the villa but I either left or went inside. This poll is just to determine if I am an anomaly or if there are others that don't have bug issues on the Island.

we went armed with it last year but I honestly didn't use it much nor did my husband. Can't say I didn't come home with a few bites but it was nothing that got in my way while I was on vacation.

I travel with my husband & daughter who are my personal bug magnets...so I personally apply very little if any bug repellant. The two of them bathe in it! We do non-deet for her and Ben's for him.

Our recent stay found us as breakfast for the Skeeters at the Donkey Diner. I was miserable for the about the next 5 or 6 days. From that point forward I never went out without spraying my feet.

Last December, we got some patches from STJ Spice and they worked nicely for me. However, they did not do the trick this trip.

Other trips in July and August, no need for anything. I guess it just depends.

We've only been there once and we didn't have any problems with bugs. The girls were bitten up by skeeters one night on the lower deck of the villa but the lower deck is protected by trees and shrubs. For the other nights that just lit a mosquito coil and didn't have any more problems.

I always get attacked EVERY year we go to St. John. I think a lot has to do with the time of year and if it has been raining. We go in October and the bugs are relentless!

I agree, first time we went was in Oct. and got bit up big time. Now always go back in May and no problem.

Anyone remember my posts re: vitamin B1 as a bug/mosquito repellant? I was going to purchase some last week at the pharmacy. I asked our good friend the pharmacist about using it...he said it works by releasing an odor from your body. I had read that part. But he went on to say, the smell is like sulphur. Darn. I don't want to smell like sulphur (rotten eggs). I imagine it would smell even worse if I'm hot and sweaty! Guess, I'll take something with DEET just in case I have a problem with bugs. Just wanted to let ya'll know what I had learned about vitamin B1 (thiamin).

I thought that women didn't sweat they glow

Kellyanna, that is exactly what is in the patch. It is all natural and the main ingredient is B1.

But you smell like a flea collar while wearing it.

We always use bug repellant. One time when we were staying on Fish bay we forgot and ate dinner outside with no repellant--I think I had 60 bites on my legs! Our routine is to apply a sunscreen with added insect repellant in the morning, top with a layer of spary-on off in the afternoon, and then apply just a little bit of repel 100 around our ankles at dusk.

They have a bug spray that a lady who lives on the island makes - it's call Shaz's Outdoor Lotion. I use that faithfully. The bugs love me (on STJ or not) so I always bring some home too. I know that Ruth @ St. John Spice sold it. Ruth, you still have it there? Anyway, it is all natural - no Deet - so if you want a good bug repellent w/ no Deet, try it!

Bug

Yes, waterguy. Thanks for reminding me. Ladies don't sweat, they glow.

We will be there in July hows the bug situation then, first time we will be there in July. Use to go in November. Push comes to shove I will sacrifice the children to the bugs.....

I am waiting to try my MOSI-BAND as mosquitos are going to start popping up here any day now since it is HOT again.

It supposedly works REALLY well and alot of the people doing work outside down here post-Katrina are wearing them.

Here is the link: www.mosquitoproduct.com

I will report back once I have tried it. They LOVE me so I will know right away.

nothintolose

p.s. they ALWAYS bother me at night when we go out to eat - hasn't been an issue at the villas or Estate Lindholm.