Mosquito Holes

[off-the-grid]

Forget the hurricanes, it's the damn skeeters that I'm afraid of.

Are there any spots in the Caribbean where there tend to be less of the little SOB's than others?

I'd really like to run further south eventually, but I've been in the Keys for about a month, and I'm getting eaten alive. Heading back up to Miami in a few days, for a multitude of reasons. As much as I'd love to stay down here, or keep moving, the lack of mosquitos in the city is going to be a pleasure.

[Hud3]

G,

Once you get to the islands, they won't trouble you. Unless you anchor too close to the mangroves.

[roger.waite]

FWIW, 2-3 drops of Citronella Oil can help keep the boat clear of mozzies and sand flies. Use in moderation, and put it on tissue or cloth so you can put it in a ziplock bag if it becomes overpowering.

Do not put the pad directly under a sun-drenched roof ... oh, the fumes!

[Blue Stocking]

Do not put the pad directly under a sun-drenched roof ... oh, the fumes!

In combination with DOJ's built-in bug-zapper--(y'all thunk it wus abowt branewaivs, din'ya),--problem solved.

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by Hud3

G,

Once you get to the islands, they won't trouble you. Unless you anchor too close to the mangroves.

That's what I was thinking/hoping. Florida in summer means really hot, with no breeze at all. And the Keys are nothing but mangroves. I'm anchored pretty far out, but they've still been SOBs the last few nights.

Haven't tried the oil, but the candles have been helping a little. Worst part is getting swarmed just going to and from the mothership.

[sck5]

what Hud said. There arent that many when the wind is blowing which is most of the time.

a fan pointing right at your berth is a good non-chemical deterrent

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by sck5

a fan pointing right at your berth is a good non-chemical deterrent

Yeah! I've done that one too.

[BareFtGrl]

Had our boat only just a little over a month and are having the same problem to a degree. Part of the reason we've decided to find another marina. I caught on real quick to the mangroves being the main source of the problem. I'm interested in giving the citronella oil a try as so far we've been keeping the fan blowing, wearing pants (bleh!) and spraying ourselves with off (bleh again!)

Where do I get the oil? And I just put a little in a rag in a bowl I can sacrifice and let it sit out on deck?

[DeepFrz]

You can buy it in 4L. containers at Canadian Tire, so should be able to get it at Wal-Mart or Home Depot, etc.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

.
Do not put the pad directly under a sun-drenched roof ... oh, the fumes!

In combination with DOJ's built-in bug-zapper--(y'all thunk it wus abowt branewaivs, din'ya),--problem solved.

Re bugzapper, this is Florida boat and mosquito lore: Little Shark River

I'm worried about you saying back to Miami was welcome as fewer bugs. This does not bode well for the future. Maybe D_O_J is on or on to something.

[BareFtGrl]

Thanks! I will look for some right away while all the summer supplies are still out. That brings to mind another question though...
A few times we've been out a few miles (about 3 or so) in the gulf of mexico, drop anchor and all the sudden there's a nasty little powow of little yellow biting son-of-a-gun's (look like mini yellow house flies.) And it's not like there's an island or anything in the immediate area...where do they come from? And if they like eating me so much what the heck are they doing/eating out on the water when I'm not there?

[capngeo]

Damn few skeeters in Key West. Last week I was anchored about 300 yards off the Marquesas.... ONE did find his way out there

[zeehag]

that is because the mexicans are not exporting the dang things--they are alll here to drink all my blood--- sheeesh.
i hope the magical fly powder i am getting monday or tuesday will help....is flies and skeeters--i dont get that in anchorages, just in marinas. who sed marinas are good things...if the magic powder works i will post the name and where to find it

[DeepFrz]

yellow fly - Diachlorus ferrugatus

Is that them? They aren't supposed to be that far away from trees, shoo them back.

How's this for a creepy web site?

Yellow flies are back! | Welcome to Walton Outdoors

[BareFtGrl]

Grrrrrr!! Yeah...that's them!! And they ARE active during the day...that's the only time I've had any problem. Also, never got bit while we were (motoring slowly) in the channel close to the tree line. They did stay away when I sprayed myself with Off...but a bite here and there reminded me that I had missed a few spots. By the way...it's just me...it's always me..that gets bit!! Everyone else could see 'em... but somehow bugs just like to eat ME!