Bug Bites

Deb, I don't have a solution - my husband is delectable, I am not...we just carry a big old spray can of Raid Lawn and Garden and a pump spray of Off in the car all the time. The no-see-ums consider it a delicacy, I guess - it's never helped much with them.

For afterwards, there is some blue gel stuff made by Hawaiian Tropic with lidocaine in it - I know Kmart sells it - it sure does take the sting out, and the itch. Just dab a little on the bites and the inferno dies right down.

The first time I went to the USVIs I got over 180 bug bites! It was absolutely horrible. I've been back several times since, and I have found the best bug spray to be Cutter Deep Woods with 29-30% DEET (someone on this message board recommended it in fact). I got it on drugstore.com, though I don't know if they ship to the USVIs. I'm like a magnet for bugs...I'll get 20 bug bites before my husband gets even one.

Deb: I have heard that it is an allergy to the bug "stuff" that makes newbies extra scratchy. Once you develop some antibodies, it isn't as bad. Off and more Off, lots of DEET. This time of year is especially bad. Sorry! 🙁

FYI - I just learned the number on the DEET is not its strength, but how long it lasts. The Rum Shack at Havensight is one of the worst places for no-see-ums, but only after sunset.
Spray On!

Deet is available in 100% strength here in the states.

Does diet have anything to do with it?? We just got back from Roatan, and the couplr we were with got eaten alive, while we got a few bites, my wife more than me. Their bites were the type that raised a bump and itched like crazy. Mine were a red circle with a drak red spot in the center, no itching.
The only thing that my wife and I do different is that I take a suplement called MSM. I believe it helps my allergies, but not sure if that has anything to do with the lack of bites.

I've had the same problem. I've found several solutions for mosquitoes. I use different things because DEET gives me severe headaches. I use AVON "Skin so soft" and when I'm at home, I burn oil lamps with Eucalyptus in them. You can also add Eucalyptus to your body lotion, the bugs hate it. They hate citrus (Lemon and lime) and eucalyptus. If you get a centipede bite, make a paste solution of baking soda and water, it draws some of the poison out and helps the pain a bit.

Thank you all for your responses. I've noted the names of the products mentioned and will start the battle against the bugs.

I recently discovered that there is an Avon Lady who works at Monique's Hair Salon at Coakley Bay condos, which is where I'm at. I'll be calling her today for a bottle of Skin so soft. I love the smell and if it works, that's even better! BTW... Avon.com won't ship here. VI is not even a ship-to option. I searched their site for a local Avon rep and it said there wasn't one here. I'm glad I talked to my hairdresser about it and found out differently!

East Ender - So... there may be some truth to the rumor that newbies are more susceptible to getting bit? Or are you saying that we'll just notice them more due to the itchy reaction? If so, I hope that my blood reaches the necessary bug anti-body level soon. 🙁

Shelly - How would I know if I get a centipede bite (yuck!)? I mean, other than the pain... what would the bite look like that would distinguish it from another type of bite? I'm assuming that these critters would mostly be in the woods, rather than slithering around my condo (I hope). I need to put baking soda on the shopping list....

Thanks again!

Deb, You would DEFINATELY know if it is a centipede bite because it hurts more than a bee sting, (depending on the size of the centipede). The larger the Centipede, the worse it hurts. Since you live in a condo, they spray for them quite a bit, so you probably won't have to worry about them as much. If you came in contact with one, it would probably be outside of your apartment. The baking soda works for almost any sting. It draws the poison out. (It's also good for a facial exfoliater too and softens your skin when you take a bath with it in the tub.)
Of course, I don't get to take baths anymore since I've moved to the East end. (Not much rain and we use cisterns). I remember back when I lived in a condo....ahhhhhh...I miss those days. LOL!!

The skin so soft works best after you take a shower and you are still wet, just rub the oil on your skin while you are wet so you get a higher concentration on your skin. Then pat yourself dry with a towel. It smells MUCH better than wearing OFF .

I guess I'd better do an Internet search to see exactly what a centipede looks like. I know they sort of look like a caterpillar with legs, but need info like color, size, how quick they move (lol), etc. Thanks for the info.

At Coakley Bay condos. they also use cisterns (and are also at the east end -- hi neighbor!). Free water is not a bad deal considering the cost of electricity here. No tub here either, only a shower. I'll use your tip for applying the Skin so soft. I'm picking up my Avon order later this afternoon.

Still need to buy that baking soda though... 🙂

Deb: I found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito- more than you'll ever want to know about mosquitoes!

terry- a red circle bite with a dark spot in the center means that it was a spider bite, they usually don't itch, but you should watch them to make sure that they don't swell or hurt.

Also, is After Bite available on island or should I bring a case of it with me? Our friends live on the beach in West Palm and we mail it down to them because they can't find it in that part of Florida. According to them it's the only thing that works on no-see-ums bites.

I'm pretty sure these were not spider bites, as in some cases I saw the small no-see-um, and we were getting them by or on the dock before we went diving. There were no mosquitoes at the time either.

Hello,

Newbie2b & Terry, Mosquito bites can vary in appearance even on the same person, whether its the small welts (raised, itchy), or a mark with no itch or the ones with a dark pin size spot surrounded by a lighter color. LOL, I've had them all. I think the sensitivity of the skin plays a part in how the bite appears and how itchy it gets. For really itchy ones a little hydrocortisone cream helps.

Deb - Off has towelettes that come in individual packets. You could get those and keep a couple in your car and in your purse - if you go to an outdoor restaurant that doesn't have a can of Off around you'll be prepared. Also mosquitoes are attracted to perfumes so you might skip that if you are going to eat outdoors. There are some natural oils that are supposed to be good for keeping mosquitoes away like lemongrass and citronella. I've only tried the oil once, citronella oil and I still got bitten just the same. I am sure some folks have luck using it.

--Islander

After while you learn to keep a can of Off in your car and another can in your beach bag. Also the Benadryl Gel can help with the itch of any kind of bites or rash. They even sell it here in the pharmacies, so you don't need to ship it in.

My aunt used to swear by taking vitamin B12 as a supplement to help ward off spider and mosquito bites. It seems to be one of the things that makes your scent less attractive to biting critters. When I first moved to STX and was being eaten alive I dosed up on B12 and within 3 days the bite count dropped dramatically.

Interesting. I never heard about B-12 making one less appealing to mosquitos but I know someone upon who mosquitos regularly feast and will suggest they give it a try.

Courtesy of my spouse, a RNP, bug bite of any sort - immediate ice. Stops the body manufacturing histamine (source of itch). No histamine manufacture - no redness, swelling or itch.

An old remedy to keep mosquitos away is vinegar. Use it in drinks. We have a recipe for a drink they used in the middle ages. Sorry but I don't know where it is right now. I know many people that us it, and swear by it. And vinegar helps as a thirst quencher too. If anyone is interested in the recipe let me know and I'll try to find it.

Elwyn

I think I've found a solution to the bug bite problem!

I purchased a spray can of Avon's Skin-so-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 unscented insect repellent. It also has SPF 15 sunscreen and is "very water resistant" according to the label. It lists that it provides lost-lasting protection from mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, gnats, no-seeums (!), sand flies and biting midges.

My husband and I visited the Starving Artists art sale at the Whim yesterday. I sprayed myself with this product - my husband didn't. I was bite-free... my husband wasn't! He doesn't seem to react to the bites like I do/did, but still had a number of visible bites. He must be less allergic to the bites than I am.

Anyway... just wanted to pass along this item in case you haven't tried it!

According to this study, some people are tastier than others.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=393866&in_page_id=1770

More science on why you get bit.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/90/100719.htm