Bugs..we are so bitten up!

[Pocah]

Originally posted by *Fantasia*
I would like to try that Avon brand, but I don't know where to get it. I went out today and bought "OFF!" Skintastic Insect Repelent with Sunscreen. It's 30SPF waterproof and it contains DEET 9.5% Did I do good? I figured, I am going to put the sunscreen on my kids anyway, so I thought I'd buy the one with the bug repellent in it. Hope this is a good brand.

I think the answer is in maggiew's post.

Originally posted by maggiew
DEET should not be used in a product that combines the repellent with a sunscreen. Sunscreens often are applied repeatedly because they can be washed off. DEET is not water-soluble and will last up to 8 hours. Repeated application may increase the potential toxic effects of DEET.

I've also heard that insect repellent can make sunscreen less effective if applied at the same time. Personally, I would stay away from DEET. The only way I would use it if I would spray it only on my clothes, not my skin. Applying a toxic chemical to my skin doesn't seem right. Like I mentioned above, I like Buzz Away, which is all-natural. I always use Buzz Away or another natural alternative when I leave the hotel each day.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thank you Pocah, I reread the post. I guess I better take the "OFF!" back to the store. I didn't find Buzz Away at Meijer and at Rite-Aid, where can I find them?

 

[corinascot]

..insect sprays aren't that effective against yellow flies. They must be like the biting flies we've encountered at NC beaches. UGHHHH!! I know I've read the flies are at their worst during May and June. We're arriving WDW on June 13. I hope there's less of them then.

I'd be willing to bet they're worse at POR/POFQ (where were staying) because of all the foliage.

Corina

 

[DMRick]

Again, most of our bites weren't at POR..although we stayed there..they seemed to be in Epcot while watching the bands. Of course we also got bit at POR, Magic Kingdom, AK..well, anywhere where we sat I guess : (

That's it. Those are what we call deer flies.

You call those skinny things deer flies LOL? We did see some of what we would call deer flies up here in the north (much bigger), and the bigger ones seemed to be easier to hit before they got us. These pesky smaller things were in and out in a flash leaving carnage. Our deer flies up here in the North are big suckers and just look like a well fed cousin of the regular fly. The things biting us were yellow and a skinny, underfed (except for our blood) cousin.

 

[Pigsty333]

Bounce sheets fabric softeners work wonders. We use them when we are outside, particularly outdoors at night. Tie one to a belt loop around your jeans and keep on going. It works.

 

[Pigsty333]

Go to the Avon website. You can order it online.

 

[MEM]

A suggestion for those of you who DO get bitten despite all precautions: try the systemic approach and take oral Benadryl. It has worked wonders for my family in controlling the itch as well as the appearance of bites. Somehow the topical approach just isn't enough. I would not advise using the oral and topical Benadryl at the same time however, and the label carries such a caution.

 

[grammagail]

OK - we're going at the end of June - so looks like I'll have to add bug spray to my "to buy" list.

My question - since I KNOW I have to have sunscreen - and now bug spray...........is there a suggestion on which goes on first? Geez - and all I thought I had to plan was what to do what day

But serious - is there a better "system" - to make sure we are bug free AND sunburn free?

 

[DMRick]

But serious - is there a better "system" - to make sure we are bug free AND sunburn free?

There are some two in one lotions available.

I'm already on several allergy meds, so I can't add anymore to it. They don't seem to stop the itch! I sort of look like I have the chicken pox LOL.

 

[Pocah]

Originally posted by *Fantasia*
I didn't find Buzz Away at Meijer and at Rite-Aid, where can I find them?

I usually buy it at Whole Foods, but I've seen it at other health foods stores well. You can also get it from their web site http://www.quantumhealth.com/productgroups/itchandbite.html

The drawback to citronella-based insect repellents is that they must be reapplied more frequently than DEET-based repellents. But I'd rather do that than use DEET.

I've also heard good things about another natural repellent, Bite Blocker, which is made from soy oil and coconut oil. It's supposed to last longer than citronella-based repellents. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it's pretty good. You can buy it from their web site www.biteblocker.com.

Originally posted by grammagail
My question - since I KNOW I have to have sunscreen - and now bug spray...........is there a suggestion on which goes on first?

I read somewhere that you're supposed to apply sunscreen first, wait about 30 minutes, then apply repellent. You're supposed to apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you go in the sun anyway because it takes a while to take effect. Also, your sunscreen should have a high SPF because repellents (especially with DEET) can lower the effectiveness of sunscreen by 1/3.

 

[Hugpug]

I just came back a couple of weeks ago and was bitten at AKL and when I got home ended up is ER and had to stay overnite. My legs became infected from the bites. Why did they not give Guest a warning when they Check In at there resort about the bug problem? My right leg was twice it size and badly infected when I got to ER on Wednesday and I was bitten on Monday afternoon and I left for home that evening thats how fast the infection had spread.

 

[720L]

I've read about a lot of people getting infections from these bites..that worries me with the kids...how can the infection be prevented? Anybody know?

 

[dreamflight99]

I posted this on a previous thread...maybe it will help some of you here. Since Florida is basically the location where Pandora's box was opened (home of the GIANT FLYING ROACHES called "Palmetto bugs", etc! ) I have to bring adrenaline (EpiPen, an epinephrine auto-injector) with me and other meds/antihistimines (zyrtec, etc.), to combat the anaphylactic and severe allergic reactions I tend to experience from peculiar bug bites (it's only happened in Florida). Some produce/exasperate odd extreme "swelling," better known as idiopathic angioedema (in my case).

The culprit "bug" which caused me this problem last summer, is known as the "yellow or green-head" fly. Here are some very informative sites to check-out on this little known pest:

http://pherec.org/entguides/EntGuide1.html

http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/livestock/deer_fly.htm

http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/livestock/yellow_fly.htm

http://www.green-head.com/Greenhead.html

http://www.greenheadfly.com/DEET3.htm

http://www.bayweekly.com/year98/lead6_29.html

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG081

http://medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/biting flies.htm

http://pherec.org/entguides/EntGuide1.html

Although they are most prevalent during the summer months,(April-June) they are "active" in Florida (according to an entomologist) March-November. They are around water areas, animals, etc., tenaciously seeking a blood meal. They are also attracted to wild/domestic animals (which explains their presence at AKL).

I was BIT getting off the boat at MGM (walking past the shrubs), and again in the muppet store. They always bite on the lower legs, usually the back side behind the knee. My BITE area became RED, HOT and very SWOLLEN (and hard). The pores of the skin were easily visible, the fluid retention underneath was incredible. It was painful, especially when I walked. The zyrtec alleviated much of the swelling, and the adrenaline prevented further shock/reaction.

They bite with large pincing MANDIBLES, (using a "scissor-like" action) which can cause an extremely terrible "sting-like" pain!

I will be making a conscientious effort to KEEP WALKING while in the areas they frequent. I do not wish to experience this type of BITE again!

TTFN...Hope this info helps!

 

[dreamflight99]

Since fighting the SWARMS of these nasty little chigger-like BITERS, I finally found the best repellent. Believe it or not...it's AVONS "SKIN SO SOFT" BATH OIL! Yep...not the bug repellent, but the OIL. I even spray some deet underneath and over my clothing (which truly does not deter them much) and then I spread the oil on any exposed limbs. For some reason, they are afraid of the "oil" and will not land/bite! Works like a charm! I even tested it with a late-night walk on the beach last summer...no bites.

As for the Green-headed YELLOW FLY, a dreaded biter in Florida, they truly have no effective deterrent to protect you from this pest. Stay away from water and shrubs/animals at dawn/dusk, and KEEP MOVING if you happen to be near these areas around these times (early morning/late afternoon).

The BEST deterrent (rated #1 recently by fish & game) is OFF DEEP WOODS "SPORTSMAN" repellent. This spray has the highest concentration of spray available, and will repell most insects for the longest period of time.

With all the viruses carried by these pests (mosquitoes=west nile, etc), I'm more than cautious when out and about in Florida. Also, for anyone with allergic reations to insect bites, be sure to carry some form of benedryl, antihistamine, and an epi-pen (available through prescription). These meds can save you a lot of time and misery.

http://www.drugstore.com/products/p...xp2=70554&trxp3=1&trxp4=1&btrx=BUY-GFI-0-PPCS

This one is similar--used by the US Military. Both have 95% DEET.

*We can all enjoy Florida, and all of WDW, if we just use some safeguards. Hope this info helps some of you, and prevents some pain and inconvenience.

stitch79 (Amanda) & JCW~Those flies are the most tenacious and persistent creatures I've ever encountered. Also, the bite was definitely the most "painful" I've ever experienced, just behind the knee. Instantly, after she injected her saliva, I felt a "burning" sensation. The skin rapidly became "hot" to the touch, swollen and painful. I've been bit my a gazillion mosquitoes, and no see-ums, but NEVER incurred any reaction to those bites. The swelling lasted almost a week (after the meds were administered), and the bite is still visible. Those mandibles are sharp and take a BIG BITE! I'll be on the lookout for them this summer. You'll see me in the full bug netting-suit! LOL...

CAN YOU SEE ME?! If not...then hopefully the BUGS CAN'T EITHER!

TTFN...DF99

 

[jwfla422]

I honestly think that they've just come out like crazy because the weather has been really wacky this year. It's been much cooler and less humid well into the spring this year which is VERY unusual and suddenly it started warming up, humidity and all so all the bugs came out at once.

Unfortunately as far as repellent goes we've, at least I have never had any luck with Skin so Soft. More lucky with Cutter or something like that. I have some OFF Skinfantastic, don't know how that'll be and picked up some real strong DEET stuff at Target, but I hate using such heavy chemicals.

 

[Chase121698]

Hi,

We will be staying at the POFQ are the bugs there really bad? Are ya'll talking about bugs just at night or at the parks during the day. My DD gets bit by everything it seems!
Thanks

 

[dismom3]

I can't believe what I'm reading! I've been to DW so many times and have NEVER so much as been bitten by a mosquito. Doesn't DW spray and don't they pay a lot of attention to bug control? You can get creamed by bugs outside of your resort in the Orlando area, but when you're in your resort, it's another world with no bugs. When did this change? We were there last July, and there were NO bugs ever! Did something change in 2004 that I don't know about?