My wife gets eaten alive by sand fleas (no-see-ums) & mosquitoes. Can we expect them to be a problem on a vacation to Clearwater Beach? She has tried Skin-so-Soft & other repellants with disappointing results. Any suggestions or comments? Thanks in advance...Dan

When are you going?

We went there once and will never go again for this reason

I live nearby and spend lots of time at the beach. There is almost always a sea breeze so no seeums are rare!

No final plans yet; either early June or early July. Appreciate your help; my wife got eaten alive in Jamaica & US Virgin Islands. If it is too severe we will probaly choose another destination.

Sand fleas and no-see-ums are not the same critter, as anyone from the south knows. The latter are flying buys which bite - the former are small sand crabs that fisherman in those parts dig for sheephead fishing. Yep, I know this is April 1, but that's no joke.

I realize sand fleas are used for bait; having used them myself; however; they are often referred to as the same critter, depending on which region one visits. Does anyone know if no-see-ums are a problem in the Clearwater Beach area? Thanks in advance.....Dan

Dan, are you quite sure the two terms are used interchangably? Somebody is pulling your leg, but it's not me, even though we know what day it is. No-see-ums are called .... 'cause you cannot see 'em. Sand crabs crawl around and dig under the sand as waves come in. Lets not get these terms confused - this is vitally important, I hope you'll agree. There must be a least a few rules extant. I suppose another way to look at this is to ask whether one might put a n-s'um on a hook. I mean, lets call in Superman and those eyes for that chore.

When we were in St Martin one winter, eating dinner at La Semana, we were eaten alive by Invisible no see-ums! When in Florida, we got sand fleas hopping all over us at the beach.
I use OFF whenever I go out in the evenings, it seems to work.Especially since there have been problems in the NE regarding West Nile disease spread by mosquito bites.

Ah well, I would never be the one to discourage humor; even on April 1st. I know the difference between sand fleas & no-see-ums; I have heard the same name referred to the same problem, therefore I would like to change the subject of my questions to: Are no-see-ums a problem during June & July at Clearwater Beach, Florida?? Since I have only recieved 1 answer to my question I am waiting with baited breath (get it RNR)........Dan

Well, Dan, regarding problems, I don't see 'em, but if you do, then flea as quick as you can. LOL, have a fab trip.

Dan, as a resident of a nearby beach area, I wouldn't worry about it. I too was made crazy while camping in the Virgin Islands, even with long pants and long sleeves. But this area is very built up, not as hospitable to the little creeps. They are prone to foliage and low to the ground -- so try to get a hotel room on the second floor or higher. And leave your beach things out on the balcony so you don't bring 'em inside. Sunset is the worst time. And Skin-so-soft never worked for me -- only DEET, and even Deet only worked for about 25 minutes. (Rum helps . Have fun!