No-see-ums! How to keep them away?

[lucas]

We will be going to Sanibel Island, FL, at the end of the month. No-see-ums are always a problem there. Do you have any ideas for non-chemical ways to keep them off and from biting?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I had to goggle it I had no idea what they were. Gross.
How about those things you clip on to prevent mosquitos from biting will they work?

 

[RitaZ.]

Yeah, they're definitely a problem there. I don't know of any non-chemical products that are effective, but I'm curious to know if there are any. I'll keep an eye on this thread.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I haven't even found a CHEMICAL way to repel them! I'm a bug magnet....and covered with bites to prove it!

 

[phorsenuf]

I've read that bounce dryer sheets are effective against mosquitoes. I've never tried it but I see it mentioned quite often. Not sure if it would work with no-see-ums, but maybe worth a shot.

 

[Shutterbug]

I was devoured by noseeums back in May, was one of the worst itching experiences of my life, I kid you not.
One things I have tried since, besides being completely covered up, is Tea Tree Soap. I have used washed with it before heading out to take pics in the evening. The mosquitos don't seem to like it as I haven't been bit while using it but then again maybe I just haven't run across any aggressive yet.

From what I have read is that no-see-ums will still bite even if you are wearing the deep woods stuff. They are nasty things.

 

[lucas]

Just googled "bounce dryer sheets for mosquitoes" and this came up at snopes.com:

http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/skeeters.asp

 

[Katy Belle]

Boy Scouts told us Skin so Soft from Avon. Ds14 said it seemed to keep them away for a while, but then not at all. He came home from camp in FL covered in bites! His super hairy legs helped keep them off his legs.

 

[Imzadi]

If you spend the day on the beach or in the sands, or splashing in the ocean then walking on the sand, make sure you shower when you return to your hotel room and do NOT put any clothes you have worn on your bed or near other clothes. The bugs will stick to you & be transferred to your bed sheets. They will keep you awake all nite in your bed, if you have contaminated the sheets or other clothes.

 

[lucas]

If you spend the day on the beach or in the sands, or splashing in the ocean then walking on the sand, make sure you shower when you return to your hotel room and do NOT put any clothes you have worn on your bed or near other clothes. The no-see-ums will stick to you & be transferred to your bed sheets. They will keep you awake all nite in your bed, if you have contaminated the sheets or other clothes. Don't ask how I know this.

I used to wander down to the beach before breakfast, walk around barefoot & splash my feet around in the water, then come back to my hotel room, sit on the bed, (which is when the bugs transferred,) before heading out for the rest of the day.

Good tip!

 

[shortbun]

Years ago when we were camping on St. John, USVI, we were told to put a thick coat of oil-cooking oil-on our legs. The no-see-ums would try to get through it and drown. It seemed to work. The sand also stuck to us but because we weren't getting bitten, we didn't care. The pharmacist told us about it. They also told us to get long beach pants with elastic legs. We made some for our next trip down. No-see-ums are out early morning and evening-oh, and after it rains. At night, having a fan blow on you keeps the bugs off.

 

[lucas]

Years ago when we were camping on St. John, USVI, we were told to put a thick coat of oil-cooking oil-on our legs. The no-see-ums would try to get through it and drown. It seemed to work. The sand also stuck to us but because we weren't getting bitten, we didn't care. The pharmacist told us about it. They also told us to get long beach pants with elastic legs. We made some for our next trip down. No-see-ums are out early morning and evening-oh, and after it rains. At night, having a fan blow on you keeps the bugs off.

In a google seach, I read that baby oil works the same way.