Help with No-see-ums Please!
 

Just got back from another vacation in the Virgin Islands. I get bites every time. I am allergic to the no-see-um bites and have tried everything not to get bit. Part of the problem is that my bites last for up to 4 months.

I read that they are attracted to some peoples sweat more than others. I got about 45 bites this time and had to go to the doctor and go on predisone.

Well I took Vit. B1, B12, B6 and B Complex. Used Sawyer Broad Spectrum, 100% deet and took Anthismines for the itch.

They bit me during the heat of the day at the Villa and the beach, at night they came right through the screens and they didn't care that I had Deet on. (I did spray Screens)

Some things that did help was taking Anthismines the itch was not bad. Claritin during the day. Also turning the fan on high. Other than that, don't know what else to do. Have tried Off, Skin so Soft, Deep woods.

Need a warm place to go that I can snorkel and not get bit. Any suggestions, please help.

Have you tried Mosquito Milk? We discovered this product in Anguilla and it works like a charm. My husband is very much like you. I think the first year on island he got about 40 bites. He uses this stuff and it works fantastic. One bight this past year.
My suggestion is to google it. You have to be able to order it somewhere.

I have had success with Gardeners Spray by Origins....I have heard that fabric softener sheets can be put in beds (I needed to know this during my no screens in the windows trip to Barbados) keep no-seem-ums out, maybe these would work if rubbed on the skin?

Keep them coming! I'm taking notes. What about the South Pacific or Bonaire? Thanks

I just returned 2 weeks ago from a week in Eleuthera and I read so much about no-see-ums that I almost did not want to go. We did not get a single bite all week. I don't know if we were lucky, it was windy or the Palmers Cocoa Butter lotion that someone recommended and we used every day and night really was the key! I have also heard to drink Tonic water the entire time because something about the quinine (or the way your pores excrete it) makes a difference. We did NOT do that this time. Good luck.

My wife gets bit all the time...me, not so much. She uses Deep Woods Off and Sawyers and they both work well for her. Boy, it seems you've tried just about everything. When we were on Anguilla, Mosquito Milk was used by a number of people who swore by it.

The absolute worst place for bugs was Bora Bora and Moorea. She was eaten alive there. That said, Bora Bora is incredibly gorgeous and she has said she would go back.

Have you thought about Hawaii. Kauai didn't seem to have so many mosquitoes or no see ums.

Good luck!

Yikes on the 35 bites! Unscented Cutter insect repellent. It comes in a spray bottle or in wipes. The best. For me, at least.

OK, but what works after? I have about 20 bites after Belize and 10 days later they still itch like mad!!

puckett, this is actually really easy. You won't find no-see-ums in Hawaii, so go there. There isn't a single destination in the Caribbean where you can avoid them entirely, though I was in Petit St. Vincent in November, and for the first time ever didn't get a single bite (though I did get several mosquito bites). I think that was more blind luck than anything else.

Hawaii! If you've never been, everyone should go at least once in their life. Whether you get bites or not. I have never had a problem there and the no-see-um's love me, too.

I have been to Hawaii, but it does not compare for the snorkeling. I am still itching too and will be for about 3 to 4 months. I am trying different things now to see what helps. Testing Oregano oil now. Taking the anihistimines are helping. I just want them to go away. Tried Cortisone cream already too. Thanks for suggestions.

I'll throw this out there for the noseeums discussion...

About 5 years ago in the DR I thought I was being bitten by something. I had bumps all over my arms and legs that itched like crazy. Nothing helped!

Went to the Dermatologist when I got home and she said I had a sun allergy. Polymorphous Light Eruption. It's a reaction to sunlight. It looks like bug bites...little blisters.

Anyway, I thought it was bug bites. My two cents.

Peace, Greenie