SC/GA/FL Coastal City Questions & Insect Issues
 

I recently posted a topic asking about interesting towns to visit along the coast of SC, GA and FL e.g. St. Simons Island, and Amelia Island in particular. And a BIG thanks to everyone who responded. We have been to Jekyll Island, Savannah, Hilton Head, and Charleston and were not repeating those.

In addition, I meant to ask about Georgetown/Beaufort, SC and Brunswick, GA. Do these towns have a sizeable area for tourists to walk around and spend an overnite, or would a day trip suffice? Does anyone know how far down the coast from Myrtle Beach that towns are booked up during MB's Biker week May 8-17? Would be a great help in planning our lodging and what towns are feasible to visit. We have a wedding to attend on Sat. May 23rd in Greenville, SC and will be visiting any of these other towns May 17-22. Are the gnats and mosquitoes very bad in SC/GA/northern FL during May? Thank you so much for any information.

Brunswick GA has a huge paper mill. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, the smell may be worse than gnats and mosquitoes combined. The insect problems relate to how recently it has rained in an area and the temperature for the preceding day and to a lesser extent the wind speed.

Thanks for the chuckle tom fuller! I do vividly recall the smell of the paper mill around Brunswick. We had Union Camp in Savannah, and that smell was fondly referred to by locals as "the smell of money".

Gnats are at their height when it's also pleasant for humans, neither too hot nor too cold, and not too much wind. Beaufort, near the marshes will have them as well, but it is SO pretty there. Use Skin So Soft, avoid hairspray, and wear a hat to cut down on their annoyance. I wouldn't stay away from an area because of them. They are seldom present all day long.

The gnats may or may not be around, and particularly in May. August is another story. And more than the wind speed, it is the direction--if you get a land breeze, you'll have insects.
Georgetown is an hour plus north of Charleston and a charming town but not on the ocean. Then MB is another hour north of Georgetown. In between is the delightful Pawley's Island/Litchfield area.
the Biker week in mid-May is the Harley week and it may get a bit below MB, but it isn't as big as Black Biker week over Memorial Day, which also doesn't go too far past Garden City.
Skin so Soft may or may not work for you. If you are on the beach, you won't have bugs during the day, IMO

Amount of rainfall and standing water also affect insects. No way of predicting how, or which ones, will be bothersome.

Georgetown and Beaufort are not close together. I like Beaufort a lot. The barrier islands close by are interesting, as long as you don't expect minigolf and tee shirt shops.

My lowcountry friends agree with me: Skin So Soft works because, it's so greasy, bugs stick to you and die.

I LOVE your explanation of why SSS "works"!! LOL
I also wondered about the question about Georgetown/Beaufort.

Yes, that area has those dang no see ums and they drive me crazy. We always stop at the Ga welcome rest area coming from Fl to walk our dogs and they hit you in the face. Beaufort is worst. If the wind is blowing not so bad. We must spray the heck out of bugs here because we have very few and I live on the mosquito lagoon.

Sometimes they are out, sometimes they aren't.

I really like the Hampton Inn Oceanside that's south of Myrtle Beach. Nice hotel with coastal décor, beautiful beach and out of the craziness of MB -
http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hot...FHX/index.html
It's also an easy drive down to Murrells Inlet for dinner -
http://marshwalk.com/restaurants/

Brunswick is not a tourist destination. Stay on one of the islands and catch the breeze. I DO like the boat excursion on the shrimp boat, the Lady Jane. Schedule a later ride to catch the sunset. A lovely way to see the marshes and the marine life they bring up in the nets (and return)
http://www.shrimpcruise.com/

I can't tell you about the coast, but I can tell you the gnats are out in south Georgia already. A friend says a little bit of SSS is great on dogs to keep bugs away from them too. My MIL used to completely cover herself in SSS (hair included) when shrimping from a jon boat at Shellmans Bluff. I think she would concur with suewoo.

If you want a small town to wander, consider St Marys, GA and take the ferry out to Cumberland Island. Eat at Lang's marina/seafood.

SSS never works for me. I get huge welts and itch for days so buy something with feet. Bad but the bites are worse.
St Marys and that ferry are great.

I love Beaufort. Visit Hunting Island and stroll the waterfront park. Dine at Griffin Market or Saltus Grill. Have breakfast at Blackstone's. It is a lovely little town.

Several years ago we were looking at property near Beaufort. When we returned to the real estate office, the agent gave us special wipes to use on exposed skin to take care of any chiggers we have picked up. We fled the area.