Mosquitos, sand fleas (flies), and other things that bite

Your input please! My wife and I have been going to Negril for years. We have now taken our 4 year old twins the last 3 Christmas. This past year, our kids got bitten so bad by mosquitos or sand fleas, or something that they looked like they had chichen pox. We never had this problem before although we stayed at a new hotel on the beach. I don't know if they were bitten in the evening, overnight while they slept, or both. If anyone has any ideas for the best kind of preventive measures, please share them. We are going again this year and I want to be prepared. Thank you. Tom

Had some friends say they had dinner on the beach at Sunbeach. They loved the food and the service at Sunbeach but found they were horribly bitten on the calves that left red spots. Assume it was sand fleas at dusk.

I have the same issue - huge bites that actually leave scars! Someone told me to use "Vape" and it does wonders. I have tried various different types of bug spray but Vape seems to do the trick. I have bought it right at Hi-Lo in Negril.

These little bugs love me as well!!! A good rule of thumb that my mom told me was that they come out most the hour before and after sunset. So if I am going to be on the beach during this time I will make sure I put bug spray (More deet the better) or I will try to stay in the wet sand or water.

Now with kids I would guess that you can't keep them in one area, so many try to make sure you have bug spray on them about an hour before sun set.... Always worth a try.

I have also found that over the years that the amount of sand fleas vary. I feel some years I get bite a lot and other years not at all. I usually travel to Negril around the same time of year.

When I went in May, I came back to the states covered in a red rash from sand fleas. They left dark marks but I used a corrector and they aren't visible. This time I came prepared and I only got bit once by a mosquito :)

The spray I had I got in Jamaica made by a company called "Bunny" which contained 20% deet. I realize they are terrible near Sunbeach and CocoLaPalm...I hope this helps!

We use Off or Cutter spray with as much DEET as possible on our legs whenever we go out on the beach near sunset. Don't leave home without it.

From my experience, the sand fleas seem to be more of a problem on the beach after sunset when it gets cooler. Several people highly recommended Avon's SKIN-SO-SOFT Bug Guard PLUS Insect Repellent Moisturizing Lotion as the best product to prevent sand flea bites. Since I am not comfortable using DEET on my little ones' skin, I really like that it is DEET free, yet still works great. It comes in a lotion, spray, or individually wrapped towelettes. I used to have a neighbor that sold Avon and I would order through her, but now I just order it from Amazon.
I always pack the towelettes just because it's easier to travel with, and make sure to wipe them all around our ankles before sunset and we haven't had any problems. For some reason they seem to love attacking the ankle/foot area.

Sounds like they got swarmed by sand fly. The sand flies start to swarm just around the time the sun is going down or when it rains. Just get off the beach before that time and you'll avoid the little pests. Everything bites me first. So I use a product called Repel. It's supposed to be all natural and not that expensive. You can get it in most any grocery store in Negril, on the beach or in the west end... Good luck!

Robin

Sand fleas or mole crabs don't bite you but are great fishing baitAttachment 17480


You are being bitten by a very small fly or midge that in florida we call no-see-umsAttachment 17481

Deet products work as stated previously, don't wear flea collars on your ankles thats just silly.

and like eden said, avon skin so soft works great and it's deet free.

In Jamaica they are called SAND FLY. And they bite and they swarm.

Along with sprays, I use a candle which I bought in Value Master. It's simply called a Mosquito candle and if I remember correctly it's in a yellow and green tin in the first isle on the right as you go in. It smells like lemon and has lemongrass in it. You can burn it inside or out. I find it is fantastic. Another thing you should check is that there is NO sand in their beds at all. It means having a shower before they go to bed and making sure their feet are sand free. The sand flies can be in the sand you bring home.

also check beds for bugs

Almost always, if the bites are around the ankles, it is a result of the sand fleas feasting on you. Stay off the beach an hour before and after sunset, OR wear long pants and socks, shoes and insect repellent. You could check out the cliffs for sunset, sand fleas not a problem there. These strategies have worked well for me.

i used to get hundreds of sand flea bites on my legs,till i started to use dog flea collers,one on each ankle.put them on loosely so they can slide up and down your ankles,dont take them off til you leave,you even sleep with them on,i went from hundreds of those bites to having none at all

Wel Mud I think I am gonna try that!

wow, I don't know what kind of chemical is in dog flea collars, but I would not want to have chemicals on me 24/7. And definitely not on kids.

I have heard good things about Avon's bug guard (deet free). I have also read several comments swearing that plain lemon juice works the best. I took a bottle of lemon juice with me in February, but I didn't experience any bite problems so never used it. Left it for housekeeping. But I'm taking bug guard, skin so soft and lemon juice with me for my upcoming trips, you never know, as the OP stated, the first couple of trips there were no problems, but not so on the last one.

Everyone please be very cautious about wearing dog flea collars on your skin. Not worth the risk to your health. :eek:
According to Medpedia:

" Flea and tick collars contain the pesticides organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids and organochloride. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these chemicals may produce adverse effects and have not been tested for human use. Flea and tick collars are not approved for humans and, in fact, are quite detrimental to the skin. Human skin is different from that of dogs, and the pesticides tend to burn the skin.

Sweat can draw chemicals from flea and tick collars in large quantities, even right through fabrics and boot materials. This can result in direct skin damage, or possible damage to internal organs if the chemicals are absorbed through the skin's pores.

Flea and tick collars are not as hazardous for dogs and cats because these animals do not sweat. Even so, flea and tick collars can be harmful to animals if not used in strict accordance with label directions and precautions. For example, chemical burns may result on dogs and cats if the collars are tightened too tightly. "


http://wiki.medpedia.com/Flea_and_Tick_Collars

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Originally Posted by Melody

wow, I don't know what kind of chemical is in dog flea collars, but I would not want to have chemicals on me 24/7. And definitely not on kids.

I have heard good things about Avon's bug guard (deet free). I have also read several comments swearing that plain lemon juice works the best. I took a bottle of lemon juice with me in February, but I didn't experience any bite problems so never used it. Left it for housekeeping. But I'm taking bug guard, skin so soft and lemon juice with me for my upcoming trips, you never know, as the OP stated, the first couple of trips there were no problems, but not so on the last one.

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you dont put them on tight against the skin.you let them be loose enough so they can slide up and down your ankle,you wear them in the water ,you wear them to bed you wear them in the shower,you wear them when you eat.you wear them when you f*&^,you wear them everywhere,and know bites at all

Can I wear them in the pool ?Can I wear them going to school.. ?Can I wear them on my member? I will bring some in November! Can I wear them when it'd hot. On my kids I think not. Thank you Mud for your advice but on my body I'd think twice!!;)

1st morning laugh thanks to Dash .............. awesome!

Jamb

agree.....coffee up my nose chuckle

Lol !!!!

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Originally Posted by dash

can i wear them in the pool ?can i wear them going to school.. ?can i wear them on my member? I will bring some in november! Can i wear them when it'd hot. On my kids i think not. Thank you mud for your advice but on my body i'd think twice!!;)

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"and other things that bite"... like me! :cool:

Do your best to not get bit by anything. Sand Fly leaves bite welts that can annoy you and last a long time and scar if you scratch too much. Mosquitoes can carry some serious nasties. Everything bites me first and I've had my share of bites from these and other creatures... like...



Biting Ants (In Texas we call them fire ants) - They leave an itching, annoying welt for days. Especially unpleasant for little kids.

40 Leg - If you see a creepy crawler that looks like a disgusting centipede, stay away or kill him. Make sure he's dead and don't let him bite you, no matter how little or big he is! Trust me! He's much like a scorpion in what he can do to you.

Jelly Fish - Although they do not bite you, their sting can cause big discomfort to your otherwise beautiful vacation. Don't swim in the sea where you see a lot of them. If it's raining and the sea gets very calm, they will come in close to shore. If you are concerned but still want to swim, cover your body in oil which helps to repel them. If you do get a jelly sting, don't rub it. Take a razor or credit card and scrape the microscopic bits away. Here's a site with suggestions should you be stung. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/jelly...ings_treatment

Sea Lice - well, I have no experience with this personally and that's because I do what I am told and never never touch the rope (or buoys that make the rope float) that divide the properties on the beach and keep the friggin jet skiers from coming in to where people are swimming.

Lionfish - These fish should not be messed with. They look beautiful but are quite dangerous and quite often are hanging around along the cliffs. They make great eating though! Order them everywhere you see them on the menu. Beware the beautiful Lionfish! http://home.eisf.org/book/print/1082

Stay safe, comfortable and have fun!

Robin


Attachment 17510

Here's the dreaded 40 Leg.

YUCK!

Attachment 17511

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Originally Posted by Robinbanks

"and other things that bite"
Sea Lice - well, I have no experience with this personally and that's because I do what I am told and never never touch the rope (or buoys that make the rope float) that divide the properties on the beach and keep the friggin jet skiers from coming in to where people are swimming.

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I have been "bitten" by sea lice. A Jamaican told me to simply rub the area with wet sand. It does work. When you got back to your room you need to have a hot shower and also wash your suit in hot water. They can be really sore and annoying if you do nothing.

Ok...that pic of the 40 legs is scary...yuk !

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Originally Posted by Lorax2

Ok...that pic of the 40 legs is scary...yuk !

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Getting stung by one is even scarier Lorax2. I stepped on one in my yard when I first moved to the island. (Had never seen one in all of my years as a tourist in Negril) It coiled around and stung me on that big joint/bone that joins your big toe to your foot. I thought I got shot in the foot! It instantly swelled and turned purple, yellow, blue like a bad bruise. It ached and throbbed and pounded with pain all the way up my leg to about my hip for about 12 hours... I was scared to death thinking I was going to die. But I didn't. And the dengue fever I contracted when I lived in Kingston didn't kill me either (which is spread by the day biting mosquito). Nor did hurricane Dean... so I think I got away lucky!

Blessed!

Robin

2 more sleeps!

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Originally Posted by mud

you dont put them on tight against the skin.you let them be loose enough so they can slide up and down your ankle,you wear them in the water ,you wear them to bed you wear them in the shower,you wear them when you eat.you wear them when you f*&^,you wear them everywhere,and know bites at all

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by dash

Can I wear them in the pool ?Can I wear them going to school.. ?Can I wear them on my member? I will bring some in November! Can I wear them when it'd hot. On my kids I think not. Thank you Mud for your advice but on my body I'd think twice!!;)

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Holy moly LMFAO I think I love you guys

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Originally Posted by Robinbanks

Getting stung by one is even scarier Lorax2. I stepped on one in my yard when I first moved to the island. (Had never seen one in all of my years as a tourist in Negril) It coiled around and stung me on that big joint/bone that joins your big toe to your foot. I thought I got shot in the foot! It instantly swelled and turned purple, yellow, blue like a bad bruise. It ached and throbbed and pounded with pain all the way up my leg to about my hip for about 12 hours... I was scared to death thinking I was going to die. But I didn't. And the dengue fever I contracted when I lived in Kingston didn't kill me either (which is spread by the day biting mosquito). Nor did hurricane Dean... so I think I got away lucky!

Blessed!

Robin

2 more sleeps!

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Robin these mean mofos are in TX too. My ex husband brought one home off the jobsite one time and decided to keep him as a pet. It had to be a foot long...my gawd they give me the heeby jeebies

Attachment 17528

Yikes. I am a dude, but when it comes to spiders and things that are pictured. I am like a little girl. lol.

@Tizzy-no wonder he is your X husband

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Originally Posted by Flipadelphia26

Yikes. I am a dude, but when it comes to spiders and things that are pictured. I am like a little girl. lol.

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Don't worry Flip, in Jamaica most people, even the men are afraid of lizards! And toads! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by MoFromMonroe

@Tizzy-no wonder he is your X husband

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One of so very many reasons lol....but funny thing, that might be the 1 thing he was good for....removal of snakes and such from the yard. I will not touch those kinds of critters

At least he was good for something. You know I was just kidding right?

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Originally Posted by TizzyATX

One of so very many reasons lol....but funny thing, that might be the 1 thing he was good for....removal of snakes and such from the yard. I will not touch those kinds of critters

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Snakes? Giant Centipedes? Austin sounds uhhh fun? haha

No worries Mo, I wasn't :P LOL

Flip, we have MAAAD scorpions too!! Triple the fun

Tizzy....don't make me rethink my November plans now!

I'll protect you Shauna :cool:

On the recommendation of the pharmacist, I bought a made in Jamaica product called Macs Calamine "D" Anti-Itch Cream last time we were in Negril. It is available at the pharmacies. It is very effective at soothing the bites and calming the itching sensation. The active medicinal ingredient is Diphenhydramine HCL. This is the same ingredient in Benadryl's product, but the Jamaican made Macs product is about one-third the cost. The Macs cream cost about $400JA for a 30g tube. Well worth it!