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No See Ums
#69469
09/26/2015 05:39 PM
09/26/2015 05:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294 Stillwater, Minnesota
BobA
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294
Stillwater, Minnesota
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Okay, last January on St. Thomas around Sapphire Beach I daily had at least 20 bites on me. I saw only the ocassional mosquitto, but I'd never saw the 'no see ums' - which is what others said were attacking them.
Some people in the area swore they'd never return to USVI because of the bugs. Some friends can't believe I'm going back.
So to better prepare myself for this coming January, I am doing my research ahead of time. Last year I used Cutter Deep Woods Off in the 20-30% DEET range depending upon current label. I'd spray in morning, especially legs and arms, I'd spray in evening.
Bites never really itched so bad, but I was full of red dots on my arms and legs. My body didn't like the bites as the dots would swell up like a thumb tack. Treating bites with tri-bacteria ointment or cortozone didn't make a difference.
In fact, spraying didn't seem to help on number of bites, but in evening around pool or out walking, spray helped reduce what was flying around me.
I tried garlic tablets, no effect.
And it doesn't help that the patio door on condo doesn't really seal.
Thoughts on improving my chances this coming Jan? Never had this problem sailing all those previous years.
Thanks for assistance. Oh, and those silly little lemon scented braclets don't work, but they sure smell nice.
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: BobA]
#69470
09/26/2015 06:51 PM
09/26/2015 06:51 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
sail445
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: sail2wind]
#69472
09/26/2015 08:21 PM
09/26/2015 08:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925 Michigan
rhans
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
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sail2wind said: "Never had this problem sailing all those previous years."
That is because you are not on land, never have no see um problems at anchor. Did anyone else get bit? Suppose they're Sand Flea's?
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: JudyG]
#69475
09/27/2015 09:32 AM
09/27/2015 09:32 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,952 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,952
St. John, USVI
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I get these symptoms from No See Ums. Claritin/Allegra helps. Dosing my ankles with bug spray is the key for me. We use the picaridin sprays such as Cutter Advanced or Repel.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: BobA]
#69478
09/27/2015 08:39 PM
09/27/2015 08:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454
Virginia wishing STJ
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Not sure if the bars and restaurants still do it, but Gin always seems to keep the no see ums away.
There has been many a night at Rhumb Lines, Beach Bar, etc... that the bartender would give you a shot of gin for the bugs. Rub down your legs and ankles and no bites.
For me it works better than any spray.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: TomB]
#69479
09/28/2015 04:34 PM
09/28/2015 04:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 138 redding ca./nashville
sunnybuns
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 138
redding ca./nashville
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Hmmmm, How bout the internal use as an alternative. Sound more fun and maybe kill two bugs with one "STONE"..
the smaller the poop, the better the pet
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: sunnybuns]
#69480
09/28/2015 08:09 PM
09/28/2015 08:09 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454
Virginia wishing STJ
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Always recommend Internal and External usage.
When in STJ Bar grade for the legs Good Stuff with Ting for consumption.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: sail445]
#69482
09/28/2015 09:09 PM
09/28/2015 09:09 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454
Virginia wishing STJ
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I will not disagree with you on the deet, but what I was trying to point out was when you are at Rhumb Lines or Beach Bar please use gin, vodka, or 151. Please avoid applying deet in a public place. A few drinks and rubbing down your legs with a little alc will keep the bugs away.
If you are at your villa or on your boat spray away if you like.
Last edited by TomB; 09/28/2015 09:11 PM.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: TomB]
#69483
09/29/2015 08:33 AM
09/29/2015 08:33 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,952 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,952
St. John, USVI
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DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus and IR3535 all work as bug spray. Permethrin works for clothing. I prefer Picaridin, but keep Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus on the boat. DEET is the only one that will melt you plastic and your DNA. If DEET works for you, go ahead and use it. But apply that toxic it well away from me.
There are plenty of references out there on this, from the EPA to REI and Consumer Reports.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: sail445]
#69485
09/29/2015 11:17 AM
09/29/2015 11:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832
Central Florida!
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Jeez, so you're saying one is better than the other?? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: sail445]
#69487
09/29/2015 11:46 AM
09/29/2015 11:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832
Central Florida!
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If you say so. Doesn't sound a great choice either way.. I don't want to be hanging around without brain cells..
Carol Hill
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: Dan58]
#69489
09/29/2015 04:35 PM
09/29/2015 04:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98 Virginia
BVIShuga
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98
Virginia
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Dan58 said: PS: My worst experience was in a remote, isolated villa on St John. Dan - you are talking about no see ums right? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />
Love sailing the BVI's with friends.
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: Twanger]
#69491
09/29/2015 06:31 PM
09/29/2015 06:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,832
Central Florida!
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OK, Twanger, if you say so!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: RickG]
#69492
09/29/2015 09:23 PM
09/29/2015 09:23 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,423 New Jersey, USA
DanS
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,423
New Jersey, USA
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DEET is the only one that will melt you plastic and your DNA. If DEET works for you, go ahead and use it. But apply that toxic it well away from me.
There are plenty of references out there on this, from the EPA to REI and Consumer Reports. OK, so I googled DEET EPA and found this: http://www2.epa.gov/insect-repellents/deetAn excerpt: "After completing a comprehensive re-assessment of DEET, EPA concluded that insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern." Dan <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
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Re: No See Ums
[Re: Dan58]
#69495
10/03/2015 11:15 AM
10/03/2015 11:15 AM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294 Stillwater, Minnesota
BobA
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294
Stillwater, Minnesota
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I am now up to 3 variations of chemical formulas for no-see-ums to take with me. we'll see which works best.
It appears from most readings, that the Avon and other such lesser damaging products work for those lucky ones that are not natural magnets for bugs.
I have used military grade sprays that kept everything away, but one typically sprayed their clothing the night before - outside and then put clothes on the next day. That was nasty stuff but it worked.
And yes, DEET and others melt paint off pens and pencils and plastic.
But malaria, lyme disease, sleeping sickness, and some of those other pesky infections are worse than the bug sprays.
As I am a magnet for these things, as well as mosquittos; I'll be spraying myself. But those around me need not fear overspray, as I remove myself from bar, restaurant,and then spray so I'm down wind of people.
Oh, and stocking in antihistamines.
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