Vero's no-see-ums: fact or fiction?

[Splash Mountain Fan]

Being from the Buckeye State, I am not familiar with the legend of the no-see-ums. As I read about them on these boards and other sites, I’m amazed at the varying stories. Some say they are a slight nuisance at dusk & dawn, while others say they would not go back to Vero because of them. Some say the bites only last a couple days, while others say months.

I guess all I want to know is how my 2 year old will respond to them…and their bites, when we go in May. What’s the real story of these legendary creatures?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

They are real.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-see-um

But they are no more of a nuisance than mosquitoes. I personally, have never had a problem with them at all. They typically are a dawn and dusk thing. People going to the campfire definitely need insect repellent. It is widely believed that Cutter Advanced and Avon's repellents are the only effective repellents (not Deet based products).

We'll be there in June for probably our 10th time. I spend most of my time in the ocean so I am much more concerned about Sharks, but it will never stop me from going to VB.

VB Rocks!

 

[DVC Jen]

I think it really just depends on the person. Just like with anything else some people get a more violent reaction and some do not even notice them.

My oldest DD and husband - you would never think they were around (the noseeums) if it weren't for the bad reaction my youngest DD and I get. We itch for at least 2 weeks - me being the worst.

 

[JimMIA]

They're real, and I'll take mosquitos any day over noseeums! Mosquitos itch for a few minutes, if I notice them at all. Noseeums bother some folks for weeks, as noted above.

That's talking about normal reactions. Some can have an abnormal allergic response to certain allergens, and those can be very dangerous...especially if the person exhibits hives away from the bite; facial, lip, or throat swelling; and/or any difficulty breathing. If you see something like that, that's an immediate 9-1-1 call.

 

[Boston5602]

This past summer I was not bothered at all by them ( the only Guy in the group)
But the two adult females were bothered quite a bit and it lasted about 10 days for them.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

They're real, and I'll take mosquitos any day over noseeums! Mosquitos itch for a few minutes, if I notice them at all. Noseeums bother some folks for weeks, as noted above.

That's talking about normal reactions. Some can have an abnormal allergic response to certain allergens, and those can be very dangerous...especially if the person exhibits hives away from the bite; facial, lip, or throat swelling; and/or any difficulty breathing. If you see something like that, that's an immediate 9-1-1 call.

I am allergic to 5 types of bees......I do carry an epinephrine pen.....I sure hope these no-seeums don't give me an allergic reaction!! Now great, another thing to worry about!!!

 

[La2kw]

As already mentioned, they are a fact. We found them to be rather painful, kind of like someone poking our ankles with lots of tiny pins. That was with insect repellant. Mosquito bites are far less painful, you usually don't even feel the actual bite, just the itchy reaction later. No see ums hurt, you feel it happening, and it keeps hurting.

It still wouldn't stop me from going back to Vero. It's a great resort. Just be prepared.

 

[JimMIA]

I am allergic to 5 types of bees......I do carry an epinephrine pen.....I sure hope these no-seeums don't give me an allergic reaction!! Now great, another thing to worry about!!!

There's no correlation between allergens. All insects have some venom in their bites, but because you're allergic to one doesn't mean you'll be allergic to another...as you've seen with bees. Some okay, some really bad. My guess is noseeums would be a really LOW risk bite, and I know mosquitos are a low risk bite.

If you carry an Epipen, you should carry TWO. Epipens usually come in boxes of two, and you should carry both at all times. Epipens are magic, but they only last about 15 minutes and Rescue (with their IV epi) may not get there in 15 minutes. Many patients need a second shot.

And the word "carry" means on your person at all times. An Epipen on the kitchen counter at OKW is of zero value if you get stung on Goofy's Barnstormer.

Read your Epipen directions carefully. You need to hold the needle in place for a full 10+ seconds to be sure the entire dose is injected. On the bright side, the manufacturer says the Epipen injection is "relatively painless"...which I'm guessing means it doesn't hurt them much.

 

[MrsNick]

Yes, they are very definitely real, but the reason you hear of such varied experiences with noseeums is that every person has a different reaction to them.

My husband has hardly any reaction to the bites. Me, I develop large red welts that are unbelievably itchy and painful wherever I'm bitten and the marks last for weeks. So, really, no telling what your reaction to them will be until you've been bit.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

There's no correlation between allergens. All insects have some venom in their bites, but because you're allergic to one doesn't mean you'll be allergic to another...as you've seen with bees. Some okay, some really bad. My guess is noseeums would be a really LOW risk bite, and I know mosquitos are a low risk bite.

If you carry an Epipen, you should carry TWO. Epipens usually come in boxes of two, and you should carry both at all times. Epipens are magic, but they only last about 15 minutes and Rescue (with their IV epi) may not get there in 15 minutes. Many patients need a second shot.

And the word "carry" means on your person at all times. An Epipen on the kitchen counter at OKW is of zero value if you get stung on Goofy's Barnstormer.

Read your Epipen directions carefully. You need to hold the needle in place for a full 10+ seconds to be sure the entire dose is injected. On the bright side, the manufacturer says the Epipen injection is "relatively painless"...which I'm guessing means it doesn't hurt them much.

You are very knowledgable about EpiPens!!I am impressed. During bee seasons(spring thru fall) I do carry 2 pens. And most certainly will on my Vero Beach trip. After being carried off in an ambulence and spending 2 hrs. with an epi drip in ER, I am extremely careful. Even did 2yrs. of bee venom injections, but had to stop after a bad reaction to one. I will take everything posted here to spray, wear, etc. while at Vero, and on the beach!

 

[Halle]

My DH isn't bothered by the noseeums but I do, the bites ooze.

 

[JimMIA]

You are very knowledgable about EpiPens!!I am impressed.

It's that whole National Park Service EMT thing.

You'll be fine. Have a great trip!

 

[eva]

DH and youngest DD never seem to have much problem with them, except for the initial bite. Those buggers do bite! But oldest DD and I always get red welts that last a few days and itch like crazy. We finally got wise and started taking repellant with us. Deep Woods Off has always worked great against no-see-ums for us.

 

[TinkTatoo]

FACT

I've been to Vero about 4 times and not usually been affected but I got bitten badly when we were there last summer and each leg had about 50 - 60 bites. I'm allergic to them so almost every one of the bites became inflamed and very very itchy. It took about 7-10 days for the itchyness (sp) to go and the bites were still noticeable 3-4 weeks later. I went into a Walmart to try and get something for them and even the pharmacist commented on how bad they looked

Next time I am taking every precaution possible

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

We have gone in May several times, and not really been bothered except after dusk.

 

[supermom1820]

We just returned from a vacation to Disneys Vero Beach and my 6 year old brought back a painful memory...No See Ums bites all over her legs. She is chewed up and swollen and has an extremely painful itch. We have tried benadryl itch stick purchased there and followed up with benadryl and aveeno lotion at home. While our vacation was amazing...and I read the no seeums warning in the room, I had not idea that they lived at the camp fire site. so beware when you go to the campfire site so your little one isnt in pain like mine