Best Insect Repellants for Caribbean
 

Please give me your favorites for insect repellants for the Caribbean. I have heard that Skin so Soft is good and want to know what works the best. I would prefer Deet-free products but any suggestions will do. Thank you.

Karen<BR><BR>Skin-so-soft is GREAT. I am usually a bugs buffet, and never have a problem with SSS. It's also good for your skin, with a nice by-product of bug repellant.<BR><BR>The resort we stay at, always has a big bottle of it under the sink.<BR><BR>Good luck and have a great trip.

Hi Karen,<BR>Depending on which island you go to - lush vs. arid - you need different things.<BR>Unfortunately, I've found that deet is the only guaranteed thing that works. I personally use SSS, but unless you cover EVERY inch, they'll get ya.<BR>Pay particular attention to elbows and feet - especially if you are wearing sandals. (Don't forget the toes!)<BR>If anyone knows of anything else, I'd love to hear about it too!

Thank you Tweedy and Nancy. I have heard of another Avon product that is an SPF 30 plus repellant but I've never used either of the products.<BR>We are going to Tortola and St. John if this helps in finding a product that fits our needs.

I just came back from a week on St. John. The sss didn't do it for me down there and was forced to use my boyfriends 100% Deet. It wasn't the mosquitos, it was the noseeums. I was a walking bug bite for a couple of days until I gave in and used his stuff.

Thanks Mary Beth. Which deet product would you recommend? I don't want to use one but I don't want to be a walking bug magnet. Any others out there?

Hi again,<BR>I know that many of the tanning lotions can be bought in various SPF's with deet. <BR>I think you'd be able to find a big selection in with lotions in any Wal Mart.<BR>I'd go with the highest concentration they have if I were you for Tortola/St. John - esp. St. John.

Karen, why don't you want to use DEET? As long as you aren't allergic to the stuff, it is safe. Go to a camping store and get the tiny bottle with the highest concentration you can find (listed in fine print). That way you can get the most benefit from the least amount. That's the only thing that worked for me while camping in St. John (and only with frequent re-applying).

Joan, <BR>I don't like using chemicals if I don't have to. There's supposed to be many new products that are DEET free that do the trick so I'm just asking for alternatives. <BR>I'll use it if necessary. Thanks Joan.

I found that on all of the Islands that I've been to, mosquitoes are BAD, BAD, BAD. We alway take 100% DEET no matter what. The problem this year is that I'm pregnant so I'm not too sure what I'm going to do. You can buy Deep Woods Off, for Sportsmen which is 100% Deet anywhere. I got mine at Target. Also, they make it with only 23% Deet too. Make sure you buy it in a spray & wash your hands really good after applying. You may want to try one w/ only 6% Deet. That may work. That's what I'm going to try since I must have the tastiest blood in the caribbean!!

I keep on hearing different reports from absolutely no mosquitoes to infestations on the islands.<BR>Anyone know how the bugs are on Virgin Gorda?<BR>

Karen:<BR>I tried the Avon Skin-so-Soft sunblock with bug repellant which worked ok, but found that the Skin-So-Soft bug repellant WIPES worked much better. I wasn't bothered at all when I used them. I've also heard that taking vitamin B-12 for one month before your trip will work to ward off the little biters. Unfortunately, I didn't learn that tidbit until after I had returned from my trip. Good luck.<BR><BR>Mari: <BR>I was in VG last year in June and found that bugs were worst in the late afternoon just before sunset. But, I used the SSS wipes and they did the trick.

Go to Aruba - no bugs!

I've been to Aruba and there were bugs. I loved St. John and Virgin Gorda 100 times more than Aruba - better beaches, hotels, service and ambiance. Have fun Karen, you'll love it.

Karen:<BR><BR>Correction, it's vitamin B-6 that's supposed to work to deter the bugs. 100 mg/day for 15 days before your trip. Have fun!

I know mosquitoes are one thing. But what about the sand flies ( the no see'ums). Insect repellent doesn't seem to help. I use the sunscreen with the insect repellent and still no luck. I find the no see'ums nasty DEET or no DEET. Any suggestions?

I agree with Cathy - Go to ARUBA!!<BR><BR>They have ZERO bugs. I mean ZERO!! The tradewinds keeps them out of sight. <BR><BR>

It has a little Deet but it has saved our vacations more than once: Mosquito Milk. It goes on as a roll-on; has a nice odor (we call ourselves wearing "Eau de Deet"); & really, really works. A study last year found that reasonable use of Deet poses NO health problems whatsoever - I think a week or two a year falls into that category. You can get the stuff on any island & it WORKS!!!

Does any one know where you can buy Mosquito Milk here in the US? I did a quick Internet search and came up pretty empty. I am just one of those that likes to have items like this beforehand so I don't waste valuable vacation time searching around :-)

We haven't found it here But it's everywhere in the islands -- we originally got it at a very small resort on St Bart's & have since found it in gift shops, t-shirt shops & drugstores on Anguilla. I'm looking at the bottle which says it comes from Belgium & is distributed thru St. Martin (FWI). The manufacturer is JAICO & the phone # is (590) 877 401 - don't know where that is but you can get this miracle stuff in the islands.

I find that Off Skintastic is the best. Works all the time, smells good. Anyone I offer it too is usually thankful, as it works so well!<BR>Ronnie

I did not have good results from Off Skintastic at all...I got eaten alive despite covering myself with the stuff.<BR>I've been to many islands - both lush and arid - and the only things that I have found to work consistently for me have deet.<BR>(That's just my experience as one who is always the "bug buffet.")

Bought Deep Woods Off in STJ last trip- Skintastic worked too- Deep Woods is pretty oily though...

I'm going to St. Lucia and am taking Skin so Soft. What other products compare or are better?

I am currently working on packaging for my dad's incredible new product that is completely natural and DEET free, and works BETTER than DEET. Plus it smells great! We're hoping to launch it nationwide this summer. Some very big companies are very interested. Look for "BugAway with Lymonessa".

go to www.rei.com and order the "jungle juice." it is 100% deet and it is serious stuff. just don't get it on finished wood, etc. it can eat the finish. just a couple dabs according to directions will keep any/all buggies away!

I have found that for me SSS and Skintastic don't work in the Caribbean. I use OFF in the orange can and also LOVE Burts Bees lemongrass mosquito lotion- you can get this from Drugstore.com or Burtsbees.com<BR>This stuff really works and smells nice and lemony. It's more $ than off but worth it!

Everyone,<BR>Thanks for so many great suggestions.<BR>Burt's Bees sounds like it might be a winner. I think I'm going to bring a couple of different products and I will definitely look for Mosquito Milk on the islands.<BR>Thanks to all for helping me out and I'll let you know what worked for me.

karen<BR>someone mentioned vitamins but got it wrong It is B1 that makes you smell bad to bugs. BUT JUST TAKING A B COMPLEX (really strong 100 mg) will work .I live in the caribbean in a house with NO SCREENS and the bugs are nowhere as bad as NEW ENGLAND. Around sunset I Burn an OFF coil in a little metal pot I got at walgreens, and that works great and would be very packable.I got tired of spraying myself so usually don't and the mosquito population, on any island is in direct proportion to the amount of rainfrall in the prior couple of weeks. We have had an unusually wet spring.

Have been to St. J 3x the last 2 years and have gone with and without taking B1(30 days b/4) and believe it or not it works. Last trip, my wife took B1 and I didn't....she didn't get bit once

Karen,<BR>Here's a copy of a message I posted earlier in reply to this sort of question...<BR><BR>You may or may not be "bugged", a lot depends on whether the island has had a lot of rain recently and your location.<BR><BR>I would suggest making sure the screens on the windows and doors are always closed. If you don't mind using insecticides, spray your room before you go out for dinner so by the time you come back the smell and bugs have gone.<BR><BR>There are "vapomats" available that are plugged into the wall releasing a mildly scented repellant. Some hotels put these things in the rooms, just in case.<BR><BR>Good old "Off" spray is still the best. The newer version of "Off" is a lotion called Botanicals or something like that.<BR><BR>One product I've never seen anywhere else but in the Caribbean is a white liquid roll-on in a small glass bottle called "Mosquito Milk"!<BR><BR>And the last thing I can think to tell you is that bugs love perfume.<BR><BR>Hope you have a nice holiday.<BR>

A recent study in the new England Journal of Medicine, &lt;http://www.deetonline.org/docs/press...y_2002.doc&gt; says that DEET is the best by far, and when used reasonably, is safe. <BR><BR>We use Ultrathon, made by 3M, which has 32% DEET, and was rated highest by Consumer Reports, June 2000. It is the same as Amway Hourguard 2, which is not made anymore. Avon Skin So Soft is rated very low in protection, but works very well in people who are not susceptible to insect bites or when insects are not around.

Just saw this article on "Which Bug Repellant Works The Best" on msn.com<BR><BR>http://content.health.msn.com/conten...cle/1685.53323

I checked with my doctor about the B vitamins and he says that there is no conclusive evidence on this. if the bougs love you, they love you. Also, asked him about diprolene, a prescription product, which was recommended as a post-bite solution -- he says it is a very high-powered hydrocortisone type product which can cause "spider veins" on the skin if applied too liberally and, insteads, recommends a regular (OTC) 1% hydrocortisone cream but to follow applicatioon directions carefully. I have both a 1% hydrocortisone creme and a 2% gel-type product that I use. Unfortunately, neither works 100% for me.<BR><BR>I have used SSS and Cutter as well as an herbal bug repellent that is made in Vermont, but the bugs still love me. Personally, I think that bugs should leave you alone if you drink enough alcohol!!!<BR><BR>I have also heard about mosquito milk and will be looking for it in STJ when I go back there in less than 2 weeks.<BR><BR>Good luck to you and to me!!! The only thing that dampened the joy of my trips to the Caribbean were those #$%^&* bugs!<BR>