No-See-Um but did Feel-Em and Feed-Em

[G.I.B.]

So I'm poking about the Florida Keys enjoying life. The weather is beautiful. Doing a little diving, and beach fun time.

I find this great little beach in Marathon on the Atlantic side. Low tide, out comes the Sand Shark, life is good, until the breeze dies off.

We couldn't get out of there fast enough. I was covered in no-see-um's, and they were apparently starving.

So, what works? I loaded up on Deet, and it just seemed to attract them worse. I think they liked the flavor.

Any suggestions?

 

[gold-digger]

We had the same problem up the coast. Next time, Im wearing full body cover, and a bee keeper hood (LOL).

 

[stefen]

garlic

 

[G.I.B.]

garlic

Eat it, wear it, or pound it into my chest with a wooden stake?

 

[hollowpointred]

i dont know, maybe a stronger % of deet? those little bastards are terrible! i managed to stay out of them this year, but last year i had them BAD!

 

[Mona Lisa]

Invite me down there....and I'll stand by you waving a fan made of palm fronds.

 

[Birdman1]

I am no expert on Florida bugs, but around here in the summer the only thing that works is a cigar. I have tried all the sprays and even got the netting for my head but the ole Swisher Sweet works the best.

 

[Jimi D Pirate]

Bury yourself up to your neck in the sand
Stay underwater often or

"Cutter" Advanced in the blue spray bottle repels Mosquitoes , Chiggers , Biting flies ,
No-See-Ums, Gnats & Fleas

I use this and it works great, perfect for the beach!

 

[IronClad]

VICKS VAPOR RUB. That stuff in the little jar. Put a little on your exposed skin areas. I use it when I go Fishing in Canada to keep the Black Flies away and it WORKS !!! Also keeps mosquitoes away ...D

 

[hmsjyd]

I work on boats in NJ on a small river loaded with these things from April 'til...the first greenhead arrives and there are 2 things that work. There is a new "Cutter" repellent that is close to 40% deet it says not to apply more than once a day, or there is one called "Greenhead" It repels almost everything. You can buy it online, or in NJ. The Greenhead repellent is 14.99 for little bottle. Hope somethin works for you!
David

 

[Highwater]

Hey Guy,
When I was guiding up in Alaska an old time guide told me to start taking the vitamen B complex. It works for some people, but not for others. I was lucky and it worked great for me. The bugs would hover all around me, but rarely would touch down and seldom bite. They don't like the smell. Now, in my older age it still works, but not as well. You might give it a try.
One thing to know, when a mosquito starts to bite you are much better off letting him finish, rather than to swat him. They pump something into you to make the blood flow and when they are done they suck most of it out. If you swat them their beak breaks off in you and it will itch like heck and possibly infect. Better off to let them finish once they start.

 

[rdi]

Florida No-See-Um's are nothing compared to Honduras No-See-Um's we ran into while scuba diving there...
My wife and I both used Avon's Skin So Soft...it is a bit oily but works great so long as you keep oiled up...also makes your skin soft as a babies butt........

 

[drver]

Great question and some interesting answers. I’m gona have to try a few of them out.
Here there are allot of bitting bugs, some big and some really small. The only thing I’ve found that helps, not works but helps is a lit cigarette but two house of hunting will cost over a pack.
Ummm I’m sure letting the mosquito finish is sound advice but I don’t think I could do that.

 

[River Rat]

We have a lot of no see ums here too, when it really gets bad especially with those swamp mosquitoes, I always rely on the Avon's Skin-So-Soft to keep em at bay. You can use straight from the bottle, or you can mix with water in a sprayer (this is what I do). There are the individual wipe on pouches you can use too. You know this stuff has to work, cause down here you don't have to rely on buying from a Avon representative, it's for sale in sporting goods stores and other Mom & Pop stores.

RR

 

[TheSleeper]

In an old issue of W&T mag. there was an article about a study done by the Canadian gov or something that found people that eat alot of banana`s attracted more mosquitos then those that did not.
I recken since banana`s are high in potasium it raises the amount of potasium on your skin, and mosquitos zero in on the smell.

Not pulling your legs here is was an actual study performed .....

Mag was a mid 80`s issue. I`ll try to find the issue and post it, read so many older ones this time of year studying, that it might take awhile.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

My wife and I both used Avon's Skin So Soft...it is a bit oily but works great so long as you keep oiled up...also makes your skin soft as a babies butt........

RDI is correct about SSS, it works great for repealing the bugs, plus you will have baby butt skin, and you know how the ladies like that....

I never tried the Vics, but I might give that a try the next time I need it. I know it works great in repealing a husband when a wife covers her chest with it, and says "I feel a cold coming on." Yeah, right.

 

[MoTwister]

I know the beach you were at, nice place. When I am at Ft. Pierce diving I stay at a state park named The Savanna that is surrounded by canals on 3 sides. I use Skin so Soft, or Deep woods off. Both work well on the noseems, mosquito's and fire ants, but what I want to know is what works to repel the alligators, got a nice little kiss from one in August. Now got a beauty mark on my leg from him.

 

[goldencoin]

fire works the best

HH
-GC

 

[gollum]

Maybe you should try out this for those pesky gators:

There are manned and unmanned versions (with EMF Detectors):

Including the one designed for Doctor Evil (Austin Powers), with a "frickin' laser beam on his head":

Merry Christmas-Mike

 

[grizzly bare]

Don't laugh, just try it.

Vitamin B...lots of it. Take it for a few weeks before you go anf they'll leave you alone.
Does make your urine smell strange though.

grizzly bare