noseeums

[Matt Foley]

I have been to Belize and loved it as it was not very populated or touristy. But the noseeums about did me in and pretty much ruined the trip, even tho I had 92% deet spray. My question, is there a place in the Carib that doesn't have the little invisible vampires?

[melissassm]

I empathize with you! I just got eaten in Cayo Coco, Cuba as well!
I never noticed any in Aruba while I was there, whether because of the heat or the wind. And of course, Aruba's beautiful!

[Carib Mark]

No-see-ums, also known as sand flies and midges are found anywhere warm in the US and Caribbean where there is still, fresh water to breed in. Just like mosquitos. This may explain the lack of them in Aruba as there is little rain to cause standing fresh water on that mostly desert isle. The following is a very long, and at times humorous, but helpful approach to dealing with these annoying little bast... by Master Gardener, Kate Nelson.: The itching sensation of each no-see-um bite can last for a week, and fighting the urge to scratch can turn your brain into a searing mass of agony. You will lose sleep. You will snap at co-workers. You will develop scars that can last for months.

Biting midges of barely discernible heft wreak this havoc all across the Southwest. Dubbed "no-see-ums" in some areas, they're called "hequenes" in Mexico and punkies in Britain. The females, seeking blood to complete their reproductive cycle, feed on pets, birds and, tragically, gardeners.

No-see-ums thrive in coastal areas, so beware if you're a besieged gardener who dreams of getting away from the bugs by snorkeling in the tropics. Yet despite their coastal leanings, they've also learned to like canyons and the shifty topsoil of the desert. In the booming cities of the West, that means they get the best of both worlds: shifty topsoil and lots of blood to suck.

A survival guide:


Kill and repel them:
Hummingbirds can eat hundreds of no-see-ums a day, so hang a few feeders near the nasties' hangouts.

Consider getting a B12 injection to alter the flavor of your blood. Adding brewer's yeast to your diet can accomplish a similar effect. Burn citronella candles or incense. Buy a variety of aromatic oils and lotions to slather on your skin. Among them: Avon Skin-So-Soft; the essential oils of tea tree, lavender or pennyroyal; and a pungent concoction called Buzz Away, containing cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemongrass and peppermint oils, available at health-food stores in wipes, sprays and skin patches. (Smith & Hawken sells a similar mix of eucalyptus, rosemary, bay and olive oils called Bug Off.)

Be aware that some commercial repellents feature the chemicals Deet or Permethrin, which carry health risks for children. And pregnant women should never use pennyroyal.

Some American Indians recommend smearing yourself with bear grease. Navajos fill a tin can with sheep dung, set it on fire and stand in the smoke. Hey, if the biting gets bad enough, give it a whirl.


Treat the wounds:
Stock up on one or all of these: Calamine lotion, Benadryl, creams that contain cortisone or menthol, Anbesol gum-pain reliever, Chloraseptic throat soother, a pocket clip called After-Bite, and an herbal extract called Itch-Away that contains the leaves of grindelia flower, plantain and witch hazel.

I've heard that Old Spice stick deodorant can ease the pain, as can a paste made from meat tenderizer. And never underestimate the power of ice packs and a bottle of your favorite liquor.

[Riekerfit]

I just got back from Oualie Beach Hotel on Nevis 2 miles off of St. Kitts and I was eaten alive too. I also think we had bed bugs as well so I have lots of bites. Now I'm home and itching like crazy. Hydocortisone cream is working fine for me right now. My question is can you bring these little pain in the ass bugs home with you? I washed my clothes twice just to be safe. Needless to say, I will not be going back to Nevis. I never had any bug bites in St. Lucia.

[Carib Mark]

Bed bugs are WAY different than noseeums! Noseeums don't transport north well. They hit and fly and the itch can last a bit. Bed bugs on the other hand are happy to come home with you. We ran into these at a villa where the sheets apparently weren't washed all the hot. The telltale signs for us were tiny dots of blood on sheets and bedding. Also, where we were bit, we got small marks of blood red just below the skin surface. The itching was minimal compared to noseeums but we needed to deal with the situation. Things we had to do: One, Every item of clothing we had on the trip was washed in very hot water and the insides of our suitcases were sprayed with bug killer and left to air out. Since we already slept at home before getting help, we had to also wash all our own, pj's, towels and even a stuffed animal that came with us to be sure they hadn't moved into our own home. Then we went to our dermatologist who prescribed a very simple cure. It's a prescription cream lotion who's name evades me now. Put it EVERYWHERE but our hair (bedbugs don't go for hair like lice do it seems) and slept with it on. It wasn't icky, sticky, greasy or stinky. Next morning, washed it all off in the shower as normal and within 48 hours every one of the little buggers was history (they actually burrow into your skin..ewww!). Bottom line: Wash everything of fabric in very hot water that might have come into contact with you or the beds while down there...then see a dermatoligist to take care of yourself. It's gross but you'll be fine.

[skwater56]

This is an interesting thread. I'm coming to the Caribbean in June and I'm trying to learn more about this "sea lice" I've heard about. I'm not sure if it's similar to the no-see-ums...I think sea lice are only in the water or beach area. But they get under your suit and cause a nasty rash from what I've heard.

Anybody ever heard of this? Will regular tanning lotion keep them from stinging?

[Carib Mark]

Sea lice are actually microscopic jellyfish larvae (yuck) tha cling to and get into swimwear. They're most prevalent in the islands of the Bahamas and Gulf stream areas but can be found from the Caribbean to Long Island, NY. There isn't a way to avoid them unless someone else has experienced tham and tells you to avoid the water and stay in the pool. They cause a burning itchy rash, usually in parts covered by swimsuits which is pretty much the LAST place you want a burning itchy rash, particularly on your honeymoon. But, they are not common so, unless you hear that it's been a problem, don't stay out of the wonderful sea out of fear. Also, it's usually the evaporation of the water in your suit as it dries, or fresh water of showering that causes the toxins to go into your skin, so taking off your swimsuit in the sea is a way to avoid the problem and depending on your physique, give the other beachgoers a treat! (Woo hoo!) But, seriously, there isn't a lot one can do except take or be prescribed antihistimines and/or use a topical steroid like hydrocortizone (which is NOT the same as the stuff Barry Bonds used). My advice..the odds of getting this are slim unless you've been warned of recnt outbreaks. Enjoy the blue waters!