Just how bad are the mosquitos on St. John?
 

Now that I have already sent my deposit on a villa for our first trip to St. John, I'm starting to notice all these comments about the mosquitos. We are used to Hawaii, where we had virtually no problem with them, but I'm a little worried. Our house is located up on a hill, does that make a difference?

We just came back from 3 days at the Westin on St John. My son had 2 mosquito bites. We never wore any insect repellent at all, although I did bring it along. I saw a few mosquitoes. The mosquitoes were no problem for me, my husband and 3 sons. I usually REALLY hate mosquitoes. I am usually the first one to start whining and go inside when they are a problem.

Scarboroughmom, it's reassuring to hear that.

Did you enjoy your stay? How was the beach at the Westin? Will you have time to write us a trip report? Sorry for all the questions!

Maggi

Maggi

Mosquitos on St. John are the same as mosquitos everywhere else......they need rain. If it rains a lot before your visit you'll probably have them. After the rains last November they were out in force. We were on St. John before that and had very few, just a few in the morning and evening. None on the beaches. We never used repellent either but definitely take it.

Maggi - I was in St. John for 10 days in May with no bites. We brought bug repellant and didn't even use it. Depending on where you're staying and how breezy it is, you should be fine.

Take some mosquito repellant and use it if you need to. Mosquitos are not an epic problem on STJ.

My experience based on 6 visits is that mosquito are a minor problem. After a rain or at night a good spray of OFF with 30% Deet-don't forget legs and neck- it will do the trick.
After 3-4 PM the no-see-em's are much more annoying especially at the beaches. Again, OFF can take are of the problem.
If you are super sensitive "Ben's" 100% DEET that comes in a small orange container is the best. Even in Honduras where mosquitos are the size of tods "Ben's" warded off 90% of them. Hope this helps.

It totally depends on your "mosquito attractant value."

If I am on an island with one mosquito, it will find me.

If you usually have problems with mosquitos, you will have problems with them there. (I did.)

Religious application of DEET renders this a non-issue.

It seems we are getting a variety of opinions on this subject. I am grateful for all! I will pack DEET just in case and pray for no rain.

They'll carry you away and eat you alive!!! Don't go! Stay away from St. John! Sheesh....worried about mosquitos. Request a refund on the deposit! The island is crowded enough!

We just returned from St. John on Thursday. We stayed at Caneel. My husband saw one mosquito. I saw none, and yet I had many bites without seeing anything biting me. I had spray with me, but didn't use it because these bites sort of crept up on me. Next time I will definitely use spray because these bites itched intensely. Drove me crazy up to two days after we arrived home. My husband didn't have one bite. Like Diane said, some of us just taste better than others. We had an absolutely fantastic trip--bites certainly wouldn't stop me from going back.

They weren't bad when we were there (June 2003). I got a couple or so bites and mosquitos usually LOVE me. I never even saw them.

Maggi,
We just got back from St. John, and in my experience the mosquitoes are more prevalent than in Hawaii. They seemed to be the worst on the short ruins paths at Annaberg and Cinnamon Bay so I would apply an extra layer of repellent if you visit those areas. The "no-see-ums" were more of an annoyance. But that said, I would still return to St. John in a minute! It is truly an amazing place.

Voyageuse, do you have time to write a trip report? Love to hear about St. John.

Me too, Owa. Thanks everyone for your input.

Hi Maggi,

We were on St. John the last week of Oct. and I got eaten alive! My husband only had a few bites. We never saw any in our villa (which was right by the water) and I never saw one bug bite me! Needless to say it is the no-see-ums that will get you. As another poster said and the doctor I went to (after I was feeling ill from so many bites after 4 days)....stay off the beaches after 4:00. While dining in the evening the no-see-ums chew your ankles and legs and what ever else is exposed. The doctor said to wear pants, shoes & socks in the evening "Yah Right"! He gave me some strong cortisone cream and anti-itch spray which really helped. I started using Deep Woods Off, that really helped for the rest of our vacation. But personally I don't like using the stuff and will only use it as a last resort...which it was.
If bugs don't usually bother you I wouldn't worry about it....it is a strange thing how they are so attracted to some people and not others.

Caicos

CaribbeanSoul isn't.

Hi Maggi! You are already booked for St. John? Hooray!!! You will love it -- maybe even as much as Kauai! If you enjoy snorkeling, be sure to plan an outing at Waterlemon Cay. It's a small island just offshore, near Annaberg Ruins, with outstanding snorkeling. You do have somewhat of a walk to get to the jumping off point, but this just serves to keep it pristine. Swimming all the way around the tiny islet gives you a view of underwater life both shallow and deep; don't leave food onshore, 'cause the mongoose will steal it!

Mosquitoes: Actually it's noseeums that will really be the issue. My experience (which was many years ago)was the same as Caicos above. HOWEVER we camped. You'll be fine up on the hill in your breezy villa. I remember not being able to lay on the beach there, you had to stay submerged while beaching to avoid the bites. Of course my hairy husband had no problems at all, but I was covered with bites - after five days all I wanted to do was hide indoors in the A/C. That said, it all depends on the rainfall prior to your visit. Go for it!

Joan, I should have known you would have been to St. John too, and camping yet! Once again, we are following in your very able footsteps.

Diana, my "mosquito attractant value" is 100% and my bites get as big as softballs, so I will take Stan's advice and pack some "Bens" just in case. Maybe it will have the "unbrella" effect. (If you have one, you won't need it.)