Problems with Midges, Mosquitoes and Sandflies ?

[vintageray]

I put a fabric softener sheet like goes in a clothes dryer on the rear grill of a desk fan. Works pretty well and has sort of a floral scent.

[Factor]

I have midge mesh that is sewn round the rubber tubing that usually holds flyscreens into screen doors and windows etc. I pushes into the groove in the gebo hatches and it does keep midges out. Am now trying the 12 volt insect repellent system as well for the saloon cockpit area.

Garys Anchorage inside Fraser is possibly the worst I have experienced.

You can see photo on my sailing blog

[Blue Crab]

This a very pleasnt read re bugs onboard.


Once there, just click on "Little Shark River."
http://www.weekendcruiser.com/old_salt_little_shark_river.htm

[maxingout]

The best way for me to avoid the biting insects is for me to sweat alot and to have my wife near by. The mozzies and tiny bugs prefer biting her to having a go at me.

Some people attract the biting insects.

It makes a great deal of difference what type of soap/deodorant/cologne/shampoo/perfume you use. When I was in the Navy in Puerto Rico, the marine guards at the front gate of the Naval base knew what soaps and colognes attracted mosquitos and which did not. Since they stood duty for eight hours straight, they would be miserable and covered with bites if they used the wrong shampoo or soap. It was more than just a comfort thing. There was dengue fever in the area, and mosquito bites potentially could result in serious illness.

When we sailed up the Red Sea, it was the two females on our boat who eneded up with Dengue fever in Eritrea, and the two guys got nothing. I'm not saying that guys don't get dengue fever, because two males on other boats in our flotilla got dengue. I am saying that my son and I get less mosquito bites and bug bites than my wife.

Even when we camped in the Arabian desert, I never got bug bites, and my wife got them numerous times.

[goboatingnow]

Yes in my experience Women seem more sensitive to insect bites. In my case they dont bother me , but inch a bit after about 2 days for about 1 day, I houd a good treatment in france that used a naturel subsequent, but i cant remember the name.
( a yes a citronella spray)

[QuickST]

I prefer using natural means to fight insects. Mosquitoes and sand flies can be scared off with such natural remedies as basil, peppermint, lemon balm, wormwood, and tansy. Cranesbill in a pot will also frighten mosquitoes away, especially if you shake it in the evening for better smell evolution. Here are some tips on how to protect from their bites. Hope it will come in handy. But in our area the only thing that can stop mosquitoes are screens. There is plenty of them, especially when there is no wind near the shore.