after many years ducking and dodging mozzies, quite successfully . I got myself a bot fly.

For those of you who don't know what this is, don't google it before your morning coffee.

OUCH ! where is it located?

Outside my lower shin. Had to be quite the contortionist to find it without a mirror.
I just don't bend in that position.

Wow. We were thinking forehead!

Ugh !!! Those things are nasty !!!

Hope you heal quickly.

Ok, Yuck
I've never heard of these things.
How common are they?
What do I need to do to avoid them?

Mike

Currently they are pretty rare in the Caribbean. figures....

I got the little F-er out, and am applying a triple anti-biotic. But with the number of ships that come from costa rica and panama...:it" happens.

DEET is your friend. We met one "whole food" kinda people that brought all their eco-freindy bug sprays. They were buying Deep Woods Off on the second day there.

Right on Robert. DEET is king!!! No bath in it necessary. Just a little here and there. Only thing to worry about are bot flies. They must be immune to the stuff.

Highly recommend DEET. I'm bringing several bottles of it when I come down in two weeks. I fly a mosquito control helicopter in Florida so I have learned all about what is effective and what isn't. DEET works, use it and keep the bugs away.

That being said, I hope you're doing well. Those Bot fly's are nasty. I hear whiskey helps it heal faster. I'm no doctor but I stayed in a Holiday Inn sometime in the last ten years.

Robert,

Sorry to hear about this. Without getting too graphic how did you remove it? Did you tak matters in your own hand or see a doctor?

Hope you heal quickly.

Tony

Again, these F'ers are rare in the islands...for now.

I shaved then doused with peroxide, pat dry
BIG dollop of neosporin (with pain relief!), covered with duck tape
go to sleep
find curved forceps (just happened to be on the boat:), clean them off
remove duck tape, grab with forceps
slowly pulled the F'er out

I'm sure the three nurses and one doctor on Reef Song would have done better!

It's down to about a nickel diameter/height. doing well. down from 2 inches/8mm.

Cover that wound with a bad kitty titty tat. Sounds like you are well on the road to recovery.

Tim, no mention of why my son needed a condom? Can't believe you let that one go. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

It was for his big toe, he tried to kick a cinderblock when he was running. We went to 5 places on JVD to try to find one, none to be found, of all places.

We looked everywhere but in his wallet!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

Only sailors use condoms yeaaaah baby!!!

Might have been easier to find some rubber/vinyl gloves. Might even have had them on the boat ???

Classic busy restaurant first aid. Bleeding ? Bandaid wrapped tight and then take a finger/thumb off a glove and slide it over the bandaid. Tape it at the base and keep right on going.

His big toe would have not fit a glove!

That is an OUCH!

Ok, I googled images....NASTY! I do wish you quick recovery. care to share a photo? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Which island were you on/near when you received that nasty little gift?

I noticed the little F'er when we were sailing from Peter Island, Great Harbor. While we had a PERFECT wind (18 on stern) I felt an itch. Previously we were at Norman watch the awesome spectacle of the poker run.

My alert was raised when I thought I had a sand flea, when I touched the "snow cap" it retracted, and oooged white carppy stuff and it hurt it heck. plan B.

the snow cap was harder then I thought it should be. and then it went away...crap.

More good reasons to wear bug spray! We've had friends get these nasties in Africa and South America.

Cheers, RickG

I get the message. Is this (DEET bug spray)available at Bobby's or Riteway?

Off has deet.

Sally might have fly on foot!

Jeeze ... I've never heard of Bot Flies in the BVI before now and have never seen one in my entire life!

Scary stuff. I watched this one ... OMG, so gross!

Hope you get better soon. Lord almighty, that is nasty!

I guess I will have to read up on these disgusting critters now.

Sally turned out to be a splinter!

That video was gross. Good luck Robert.

Robert, How is your very rare bvi bot fly wound doing?
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Still healing, It doesn't hurt unless I hit it. All but the littlest of bump now.

Still can't believe I've never heard of these F'ers in the islands before, and I get "lucky"

They say bull [censored] draws flies!!!