Can anyone tell me if there are mosquito problems in the Grand Case area or any area in St. Martin/St Maarten?

I do break out in hives when bitten. I would like to be prepared when we go there in April 2005.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

We stayed in the Grand Case area around that time of year a few years ago. I don't recall any mosquitos then. Of course this may be very dependent on recent weather. If there's been a lot of rain just before you go, then the situation might be different. But from our experience, its not a problem.

Bring insect repellent in any case... don't rely on historical conditions.

Have a great time! Its a beautiful and interesting island.

Ken

Like Ken, I have never experienced a mosquito problem on St. Maarten or any other local islands, unless there has recently been a lot of rain.

There are several pharmacy locations (noted by a green cross) on the island if you are in need of mosquito repellent or hive medication while you are there.

Have a good trip.

To Ken & Statia,

Thanks for your replies.

I'm greatly relieved to know that mosquitoes are not a great problem. I will be bringing my anti-biotics, pills and sprays when we go.

Now I'm really looking forward to this trip.

We just returned from St Martin on Nov 15th. I will be posting a trip report soon but I had to respond to this question. We stayed on Orient beach at the Alamanda. Everyday we used bug spray and were okay. One night for dinner we went to a restaurant near the beach and I forgot to put on the bugspray and I got eaten up by bugs. I had 40 bites on my right arm and 20 bites on my legs. They were red and swollen. Geraldine at the front desk of Alamanda was a true lifesaver. She helped to get me a doctor's appt. The doctor said that I was bitten by a bug that gave me a bacteria. Then when I was bitten later, I had a reaction which made the bites worse whether they were from a mosquito or sand flies. They were so itchy that the night before I saw the doctor, I only slept about 3 hours. He gave me French prescriptions for an antibiotic, an anti-itch medicine and a cream to put on the bites. They are almost all healed now. My advice to you is to always wear bug spray when you are outside. The whole bug bite episode put a damper on the vacation but we made the most of it and still had a great time. Look for our trip report soon! Michelle

Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about your problem with the mosquitos. I'm sure it was due to our having had unusual amounts of rain since the summer (not that we are complaining since it makes the islands green).

Contrary to my previous post, it is probably a good idea for anyone traveling to the islands to have some repellent on hand, just in case. Better safe than sorry, huh, Michelle?

Just in case: there's a nice little pharmacy in Grand Case, next to a small supermarket - just walk down the main street (in the direction of Le Petit Hotel, away from the Grand Case Beach Club and/or l'Esplanade) until you come to the fork in the road, cross left, cross the road again - I always use Mosquito Milk which is available there and really anywhere in the Caribbean. Good luck!

I agree with Statia that using bug spray is definitely a smart idea. I forgot to wear it one night and was a bug buffet! I think it also depends on your body chemistry and whether or not you generally get bitten. I know for me that if there are mosquitos around I will get bitten but they don't bite my husband. Michelle