Hello there, my husband and I are taking a babymoon in St. John. We've received lots of good advice on this forum in the past. I am pregnant and was hoping someone could tell me how to get by without DEET...I am a bug magnet ordinarily, but I've been told not to use DEET. I have purchased Avon's Skin-so-Soft at my doctor's recommendation, but am anxious to hear of any other 'legal' bug repellents. Also, any other things I'll need to watch out for in my 'condition'? Thanks everyone, as always, for your generosity We leave next weekend and are SO excited.

I have been pregnant on STJ and unfortunately, I have to admit to using plenty of DEET products while there, and on my young child. She is allergic/very sensitive to bug bites so I take the chance. I guess the major precautions I let a minimal amount touch her skin directly, and I don't use aerosal sprays. I use wipes or the pump style sprays. For my daughter, I follow instructions and spray into my hand well away from her, and just pat her clothing. I also gingerly pat the top of her head on her hair. I do use non-DEET stuff on her legs and arms, but I have noticed that if I don't use DEET at least on her clothes, she still gets bitten. When I was pregnant, I did the same thing for myself. I am a mosquito magnet too, and there was no way I could survive in STJ or during the summer up north without DEET. IMO, you should talk with your doctor about only using it on your clothes and maybe your hair and Skin-so-Soft on your skin. I think the medical concern is not to inhale or absorb DEET through your skin. I know the wipes and liquid spray minimizes the airborne DEET. BTW, the non-Deet we use is called "Repel" I think.

I am also a mosquito magnet, but tend to be more of a naturalist...staying away from harmful chemical based products when possible. Yes, I will use a DEET based product when desperate, but have found success with a few other things that may help you. Mosquitos do not like citrus, so I have even taken a lime slice at a bar and rubbed it on my arms and legs. It can be a little sticky (not bad) but works great. I have found a few botanical citrus based shower gels and seas salt scrubs that also help keep the monsters away. While in Jamaica, I discovered Starfish oils (www.starfishoils.com) had a natural anti mosquito spray that worked well. It's 100% essential oils and doesn't have a terrible smell. One of its key ingredients is lemongrass, so you may want to try some lemongrass essential oil too. Have fun and relax as your life will never be the same (I have 3)

I am looking into trying cactus juice for our upcoming trip to the USVI and BVI. I have read good reviews on it on other travel forums.

http://www.cactusjuicetm.com/index.php

oops... almost forgot. The product you should look at is Sun, Skin & Outdoor Protectant (SPF 20).

Thank you all! I knew I'd get good advice here!

The product I mentioned before is actually called "Natrapel"

Health food stores might be a good place to check near where you live, as you will be leaving within days on your trip apparently. I have found a natural bug sprays that works really great for me, here in Oregon anyway. (And I too am one of "mosquito magnets".)

"NeemAura Naturals Bug Disenchanter Herbal Outdoor Spray". Completely non-toxic. Works great, has a lot of herbals and smells pretty nice, I think. Also comes in handy purse size (4 oz.) and/or you can get a bigger 8 oz. bottle and refill the smaller bottle (or maybe buy a new empty 2 oz. spray bottle at your local health food store) Plus they have a 30-day moneyback guarantee. Their tel. # is 813-600-5786, or toll-free 1-877-354-8244. If you go to:

bytheplanet.com/Brands/NeemAura/neemauramain.htm

about halfway down the green box on the right, you'll see "Outdoor Spray", just click and info will come up. Beats Skin-So-Soft and other Citronella based products I've tried hands down.

Ha! Bug Disenchanter...I'd buy it just for the name Thank you again all!

I went to St. John and I have to say that I didnt have much problems with the bugs. Usually when I go to Maine in the summer time I am bitten to pieces. I know that my nature nut friend always uses dryer sheets to keep bugs away. I had one friend on the trip that got bit by bugs but only at night when she was asleep in bed. So I would look at getting some cheap mosquito netting - and be ultra careful about keeing your bed made and bug free.