Not to scare you but just got back and... sand flies/fleas on castaway cay

[cseca]

I can't figure out if they are fleas or flies. We asked some CMs and some said one and some the other.

They are very very very annoying AND painful. They swarm white stuff, which means if you wear white you will be covered with them in no time. Towels too...

I HATE bugs and I felt some bitings on my legs before we realized those nasty brown things were bugs. DH was the one who noticed those things were crawling all over our towels and shirts

We immediately went back to the boat and did our laundry. Everything we wore didn't go past our bathroom. The people we met at the laundry room were doing laundry for the same reason...

Ugh... just want to warn you guys who are leaving soon. They said those bugs probably went nuts because they are digging at the island for the expansion. Usually those bugs only come out at night but this past friday they were everywhere... UCK UCK UCK!!! I am still itchy while typing this down... yuck!

 

[shenaniganzz]

Yikes! Does bug repellant work on these guys?

 

[mousefan64]

ooooooo yuk, i hope they aren't bad in september

 

[glnrcker]

It seems the closer you were to the water, the less there were.
Lucky for us we were right at the water, but did notice them in droves
when I stopped near some shrubbery.

 

[diane648]

I bought 2 bottles of Safe Sea with Sunscreen ... says it "Helps Prevent Stings From Jellyfish & Sea Lice". I read on one of the tips list that the sea lice could be bad & I'm terribly affected by bugs. I think I paid $28 for 2 bottles.

Sorry you had such a bad experience!

Diane

 

[ImprovGal]

I bought 2 bottles of Safe Sea with Sunscreen ... says it "Helps Prevent Stings From Jellyfish & Sea Lice". I read on one of the tips list that the sea lice could be bad & I'm terribly affected by bugs. I think I paid $28 for 2 bottles.

Sorry you had such a bad experience!

Diane

Sea Lice aren't insects/bugs. They are jellyfish larvae.

 

[GoHerd1028]

Is sea Lice a problem at CC now? We are sailing on March 6. Traveling with two small children so will stay at the family portion of CC

 

[mmmears]

Yikes! Do they sell repellent on the island? Any advice on how to deal with them -- I hate to put poison on us...

 

[amandelba]

We were just there two weeks ago and did not have any bug issues. I guess they come and go. Maybe it was their mating season.

 

[caseyk20]

Yikes! Does bug repellant work on these guys?

There is special spray for them it is cactus juice it comes in spray bottles and im not sure where you might be able to get it

 

[Lisa46xx]

We were there on Friday, too, and really didn't notice them, but we were down at/in the water almost all day. We still thought it was absolute paradise.

 

[cseca]

I think you're right that the closer you are to the water the less they are. The CMs also said they pretty much gather around the bushes and get on people when they come close to them.

I talked to some families that rented some bikes and she said the were sprayed with some bug spray before they left the rental place.
I wish I knew that so we could get some for DH & I.

It wasn't a huge disappointment to us since DD is so little anyways and we weren't planning to stay that long on the island. But it was definitely worrisome and itchy to get bitten by them. And trust me they bite.

Next time we're on the island I'll make sure to get off the boat fast to get seats closer to the water. We left the boat pretty late to make sure DD got her first nap in and could only get seats on the back closer to the bushes.

 

[mmouse37]

We were there on Jan 19th and never saw/felt a bug and were were back near the bushes...pretty much in front of the DJ gazebo. It was pretty breezy that do so that could be a factor as well....but I heard no one complain about bugs at all.

We just wished the sun would stay out!!!

MJ

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Is sea Lice a problem at CC now? We are sailing on March 6. Traveling with two small children so will stay at the family portion of CC

I am not sure about March, but last April (1st week) sea lice was a problem at CC. Get some Safe Sea and you should be OK.


Crystal

 

[cseca]

We were there on Jan 19th and never saw/felt a bug and were were back near the bushes...pretty much in front of the DJ gazebo. It was pretty breezy that do so that could be a factor as well....but I heard no one complain about bugs at all.

We just wished the sun would stay out!!!

MJ

Hehe... I guess we got that part on our cruise no problem. The weather was perfect! At all the ports at least high 70s if not 80s. It was WONDERFUL!
The wave was moderate (4-8ft) so it was a bit wobbly for a couple of days, but other than that weather was just perfect!

 

[Pinkandproud]

We were there on Friday and had perfect weather! The Captain announced it had been 85! The bugs were annoying, but we noticed it as more towards the shrubs. We moved down by the water and it was better. But yes, they like white! I noticed it as I was writing my postcards.

Suggest moving further away from the boat too. There is less people and more room to play in the water. We had a magical time all week long!

 

[trwprid]

Sea Lice aren't insects/bugs. They are jellyfish larvae.

*faints*

I'm a critter magnet )(even moreso when I'm pregnant) so I'll definitely be shopping around for that Safe Sea repellent.

 

[GoHerd1028]

I am not sure about March, but last April (1st week) sea lice was a problem at CC. Get some Safe Sea and you should be OK.


Crystal

Well I am going to take your advice and I just ordered some safe sea that is also good for use on kids. I bought one bottle since we are only at CC one day...It says it is enough for 4 adults...since our kids are small...you think I got enough?

 

[AbsyBabsy]

I was just there Saturday and no bugs! Not even one. We were 1/2 down the family beach near the water. We also went to Serenity Bay and did not notice any bugs and we were near the bushes.

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Well I am going to take your advice and I just ordered some safe sea that is also good for use on kids. I bought one bottle since we are only at CC one day...It says it is enough for 4 adults...since our kids are small...you think I got enough?

Not sure how far a bottle goes......we have never used it before (we had no idea about Sea Lice until we experienced them!) However; it is highly recommended here on the DIS. It is my understanding that the Sea Lice gets on you while you are swimming...then when you exit the water and the temperature changes...that's when they go to stinging. I have read that you can also shower immediately after exiting the water in order to get them off. My crew, however; noticed them after just going in and out of the water. We ended up back on the ship! Next time we will use Safe Sea during the spring months.


Crystal