Bugs in Charleston and savannah
 

Planning a trip next year to Charleston and Savannah. We will be there in late May early June. Can someone please tell me if there are Gnats or mosquitoes? I'm sure there are some but how bad are they? I get eaten alive.

No, bugs were recently outlawed in both Charleston and Savannah you'll be fine!

Seriously, I have been to Charleston twice and Savannah several times and don't ever recall being bothered by gnats or mosquitoes. However it is the south in the late spring, it will be hot and humid and chances are there will be some bugs flying around but I wouldn't worry about them.

We've been to Charleston/Savannah in June several times - mosquitoes & gnats were never a problem.

Here's a few hints to lessens your chances of a "close encounter" with mosquitoes/gnats wherever you go:

Avoid using perfumes, colognes, aftershaves, scented hairsprays and similar products as the sweet smells act as an attractant. Avoid walking in heavily vegetated areas or around salt ponds and standing water, especially, at dusk as this is where/when the little buggers are most active. Avoid walking on the beach, especially where the vegetation meets the sand, at sunset since that's when you could encounter lots of mosquitoes and no-see-ums. If you do encounter mosquitoes and no-see-ums use Avon Skin So Soft Bath Oil - the locals use it as a insect repellant - it works very well - you can buy it locally when you get there.

There is nothing remotely equivalent to midges in Scotland or Black Flies in Maine and the North Country.

RoamsAround has given a litany of all the supposed cures for bugs etc. Be aware that some work and some don't on this and that person.
I don't think I've ever been much bothered by mosquitoes at the beach at that time of year. BUT a sure fire way to prepare for it (and I am also one that is eaten alive, don't wear perfume, and Skin so Soft doesn't work on) IS to get some Cutter Off--it comes in spray, lotion, and small towellettes. And it will also be available locally in any Walgreen's/RiteAid/etc.

You can also put a dryer sheet in your hat or bra and that works well also -- Gretchen my dear - Skin so Soft has worked for years -

I completely agree to go lightly on the scents - perfume, hairspray, etc.

The Off or Cutter towelettes are good to have in your purse or backpack if you need them. I keep a box in my car - and have only used them a couple of times. In the last 10 visits to Savannah, I've only been bothered by mosquitos once.

SSS is a favorite stand-by. When we used to go shrimping in the marsh, we'd slather up. It's not so great for your hairdo, but great for your skin :-)

Gnats can be a problem in south Georgia but I've never really noticed them in Savannah. As long as the breeze is blowing you're good. Enjoy your trip!

The mosquitoes will be out if we've had lots of rain. Same with "no-see-ums", which can also be annoying. We had little rain this past spring, and the lack of biting bugs was noticeable, but it seriously affected gardens in the area.

Both are worse in low-lying, swampy areas, so if you are planning a carriage ride through the rice field at Middleton Plantation, lather up. If you're at the beach you should have no problem. And as posted, early morning and dusk are bug times.

Just a tip: if you don't have lodging in Charleston yet, book something soon. The Spoleto Festival that time of year makes for slim pickins'.

I'm with Gretchen on this. Skin So Soft has NEVER prevented me from being bitten up no matter how much of it I've slathered on. I stick with Cutter.

Don't know about May but I sure got some bites when we visited in mid September. I'd use repellent cause there is nothing worse than scratching until you bleed!

Lodging in Charleston...I can sure recommend the Charlotte street Cottage. Wonderful cottage behind the main house with 2 bedrooms, kitchen, living area 1 and 1/2 baths and a washer dryer. It was the "kitchen house" where they did all the cooking for the main house. has been updated and enlarged some but has all the charm of an old house with original pine floors, original fireplace We loved it.

Gnats or no-seems can be a problem in Savannah if it is very still and temps outside are pleasant. They like the same sort of weather we do. We lived on the 6th floor of a hotel and could even get them that high up (on our patio). They can be particularly bad around the marsh, and if Bonaventure Cemetery is on your agenda, you'll find them there. One of my Mikimoto pearl stud earrings will be resting there forever from the time I attempted to get them away from my head and brushed the earring right out of my ear, never to be found again despIte having felt it go!

I swear by Skin So Soft, but Cutter works too, and isn't so oily. You can also rub dryer sheets on exposed areas, and especially your hair, where you can't use Skin So Soft. No joke about the hairspray and other scents. If you use it, they will find you yummy. I never had any problem with mosquitoes.

OO, too bad about that earring! But it's resting in peace.

My friend says the reason Skin So Soft works because the skeeters get stuck in the grease and die :)

It does have the most beautiful resting place imaginable suewoo...that is my only consolation!! :)

Pardon my typo in first sentence...that was no-seeums, not no-seems!