While this is not exactly a travel topic, I know that getting chewed up while on vacation can really put a damper on things. I was wondering what others have found to be effective against mosquitos & no-see-ums. I have read how products with DEET are the most effective - but that stuff melts plastic! I'd rather not put it on my skin! <BR>Thanks

Melissa: <BR>I've always used Off Skintastic while in the Caribbean, and I've yet to get bitten. I would say its better for your skin than DEET. <BR> <BR>Just my opinion, <BR>Tim

Deep Woods Off worked pretty well. I read on another forum that taking Vitamin B-1 for 30 days prior works...no seeums don't like your taste. I'm going to give it a try before my next trip

The secret is to use a minimum of about 17% DEET if you are an adult, children are another matter. More DEET does not help much and the more there is the more oily and unpleasant it becomes. There are many products on the market and I would pick one that feels best on your skin with a an ordor that is tolorable. The one we have use for years is the pocket-size "Cutter Outdoorsman". I don't know if it is still available with that label because one small pocket size lasts us for two or three years. It is around 28% DEET and is not too unpleasant on the skin. It has not stained any of the clothes that we have wore with it. The "Off" products are ok also but pick one with enough DEET. One year we tried the Vitiman B-1 bit which is not that pleasant if you take the amount recommended. As far as we could tell it made no difference however others swear by it. This is the case with "Skin So Soft", however Consumers Reports ran tests years ago and found that it had no effect. I think, some people tend to attract mosquitos more that others. If you are in a tropical area you should be in cottons and it is true that DEET has adverse affects on some materials but it does not melt skin. If you become allergic to bites as in the case of my wife, DEET over 17% is the only answer. Remember they can bite through clothes. To avoid no-see-ums keep off of the sand. If they are around, there is no way you can avoid them that I know of without complete cover. There is a product that you spray on clothing that will kill things that land on it but it will not keep them away. There are times when we have been at Salt Cay near Grand Turk and in Fiji where we used nothing and it was a true joy.

well, I know what Consumer Reports said but I still find Skin so Soft lotion very effective and will not leave home without it! I am not an Avon Lady but I do manage to attract every biting insect from miles around where ever I go!!! Have used it for years and am afraid to switch - and have tried the Off/Skinfastic, some of the other products and they did not work as well for me ... but I liberally apply it after a hot shower and reapply before going out. When discussing Caribb travel, this is a very relevant topic!!!

After many years mathematical and scientific research on the subject of bug repellant, I am confident in asserting that gerbil feces is the best bug repellant.

On the contrary, it's an excellent travel question. You don't want to be caught unprepared! <BR> <BR>I agree that some people attract more mosquitoes than others. The critters are attracted to the CO2 emitted from your body. Fortunately, they don't bother me that much, but I do occasionally use Off! I use the Off Skintastic, which I think has a lower concentration of DEET. I just need to spray it on a bit here and there, I do not need to "apply liberally." <BR> <BR>I can't agree with the recommendation to get powerful concentrations of the stuff, unless the skeeters are really attracted to you and you've tried everything else. That same Consumer Reports issue reported that DEET is not a safe substance. Children are particularly sensitive to it, use it sparingly on them. <BR> <BR>It's true that skin-so-soft had no demonstrable effect in scientific studies. Nevertheless, some people swear by it. It's worked for me, though I don't like the smell or the oiliness. Again, I don't attract them much in the first place. <BR> <BR>And I wouldn't slather DEET on after the morning shower. I find that mosquitoes and no-see-ems come out mostly at dusk and at night. If you need it, spray it on when attacked, it works immediately.

Though this might be a myth, I've heard that mosquitoes are actually attracted to the sugar in your blood, and if you drink a lot of sugary drinks, skeeters find you even more delectable that those with less sweet blood. True??? Also, if no-see-ums are really impossible to deflect, is the only alternative to stay off the sand? Does this mean that a beach-free stay in the Caribbean is the only way to prevent a tangle with these hellions? Also, I'm wondering if they're seasonal; I'm going to St. Thomas in July. Please advise.

I'm both a biologist (though not an entomologist) and a fly fisherman, so have spent some time researching the whole insect repellant controversy in general, and DEET in particular. Most of the posters above are generally correct and the most practical and prudent course of action is to use the minimum amount of DEET-based repellant necessary to achieve the level of effect you require. No other chemical has been demonstrated scientifically to be effective, testimonials to Skin-so-Soft notwithstanding (we had a guy in fishing camp in Labrador some years ago with Skin-so-Soft - after one day he was using 100% DEET and lots of it, like the rest of us). <BR> <BR>There does appear to be some evidence that DEET can be toxic to children, but not markedly so, and many other consumer products we use are also toxic to children under certain conditions, so a little care and common sense are appropriate. One trick that many use is to apply the DEET (again, sparingly) to an article of clothing rather than directly onto the skin. <BR> <BR>According to a technical article I stumbled across some years ago, biting insects must detect both carbon dioxide and water vapor to trigger the biting reflex and the DEET molecule is just the right size and shape to block one or the other receptor. This is, incidently, why DEET has no effect on horseflies and their ilk, who are sight hunters and do not depend on chemoreception. <BR> <BR>I've heard about the Vitamin B thing, but have never tried it and frankly don't put much faith in it. I suppose taking a little extra Vitamin B wouldn't hurt though. Yes, DEET will melt some plastics (it does a real job on fly lines, unfortunately) but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to hurt your skin - at least it hasn't hurt mine in over 30 years of very heavy use. Finally, the sugar thing sounds like a myth - unless you have some physiogical problem your body regulates blood sugar within a very narrow range and simply eating more or less sugar won't have any long-lasting effect, nor do I suspect the insects would care anyway.