Just finished a week at Club Orient which was fantastic. The only negative thing, which is beyond anyone's control is the sand fleas or No-see-ums as people seem to call them. Even with bug spray and precaustions, they seem to find you. We spent most nights at the Papagayo having dinner and dancing and seemed to pick up 10 or so new bites every time even with Off and milk. I counted this morning and I have 37 bites that are itching like hell!! Other than cover up, don't go out dawn and dusk and using spray,not sure what else could have been done? The odd thing is that I seem to attract them as others in my party did not seem to have the same issue. Anyone have any ideas?

I have found that bug spray is effective against them, at least for me. Often females with very soft skin on the ankles and legs get hit the worst.

Good to know - I just happen to be one of those soft skinnd females and sand fleas/no seeums LOVE me. I will be sure to be packing the bug spray! Thank you for the heads up.

All you need is faith, trust and a little bit of Pixie Dust

What kind of off did you use? Some of it has very little DEET. Look for something with a lot of DEET, like deepwoods off or specialty brands from places like REI. Look for 50%+ DEET if you want it to really work.

Originally posted by bc9913

What kind of off did you use? Some of it has very little DEET. Look for something with a lot of DEET, like deepwoods off or specialty brands from places like REI. Look for 50%+ DEET if you want it to really work.

We have been using Deepwoods Off, and it is effective. Thanks for the clarification as to the DEET.

FYI Avon Skin So Soft works fantastic for no see ums.

Originally posted by NolaBeachCpl

FYI Avon Skin So Soft works fantastic for no see ums.

I knew it was effective against mosquitoes and flying no see ums, but didn't know it worked against sand fleas. Thanks for the info.

We're using Repel spray. Consumer reports rated it among the top five. We're also using Picardin, which is a cream. Both work pretty good on the noseeums. Benefit of Picardin is that it's pretty much odorless. Got both at Amazon. Repel is DEET free.

High DEET repellant, and some hydrocortizone creme to ease the itch if any get you.