Sand Fleas/Flies in Belize?
 

I'll be going to Belize for 7 nights at the beginning of December and just read a post about the presence of sand fleas at our resort. Will a repellent with DEET suffice, or is there something better/additional that I need to get in order to be protected from the sand fleas?

What part of Belize are you staying in? Are you ocean front?

On Ambergris, there is usually enough of a breeze to keep the little creatures away.

If the report you read was very recent, it's common for the winds to die down in September, and it's very calm.

Problems now with sand flies doesn't mean there will be problems in December.

I don't think I can edit. Have you been bothered by sand flies before? There are many people who don't react to them, me being one of them. I may or may not notice the bite, but it will be gone in a matter of hours.

I've never been anywhere (to my knowledge) that has sand flies -- just to Hawaii and Mexico (Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel). Our hotel room is ocean view but not ocean front...but we'll be spending a lot of time out on the beach I'm sure.

We'll be staying in Hopkins.

Leishmaniasis can and does occur in Belize (check CDC.gov)

The best way for travelers to prevent sand flies is to protect themselves from sand fly bites. To decrease the risk of being bitten:Avoid outdoor activities, especially from dusk to dawn, when sand flies generally are the most active.

Minimize the amount of exposed skin. To the extent that is tolerable in the climate, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks; and tuck your shirt into your pants.
Apply insect repellent to exposed (uncovered) skin and under the ends of sleeves and pant legs. Follow the instructions on the label of the repellent. The most effective repellents are those that contain the chemical DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide).

Bed nets, repellents, and insecticides should be purchased before traveling and can be found in hardware, camping, and military surplus stores.

Stay in well-screened or air-conditioned areas.
Keep in mind that sand flies are much smaller than mosquitoes and therefore can get through smaller holes.
Spray living/sleeping areas with an insecticide to kill insects.If you are not sleeping in a well-screened or air-conditioned area, use a bed net and tuck it under your mattress. If possible, use a bed net that has been soaked in or sprayed with a pyrethroid-containing insecticide (permethrin or deltamethrin). The same treatment can be applied to screens, curtains, sheets, and clothing (clothing should be retreated after five washings).

Knee high socks are a good idea in infested areas

have had them B4 not fun hard to get rid of...

mdtravelhealth.com Belize other good health info.

Someone told us to use baby oil as a coating on legs and arms. We never encountered them, so I don't know if that's valid advice or not.

We did encounter sand fleas in Hopkins. This was in February. We did not research or use adequate protection, so had to deal with the pests! I hate insecticides, and. in any case, they were mostly at the beach so spraying indoors wouldn't have helped much. Baby oil would be worth a try, with Deet if necessary.

Baby oil simply drowns them, doesn't repel them. Messy, too, but might be worth the bother if you're walking the beach at dusk.

Thanks for all the tips everyone!