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

[vucko]

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

[dash]

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.

[Beachin.Ann]

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.

[BBrasta]

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.

[kaycee]

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!

[Weathermon & Mi Lady]

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.

[Eden]

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.

[Robinbanks]

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

[kim&betty]

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


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

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

[kim&betty]

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