The US Virgin Islands are full of amazingly beautiful sandy beaches. And those beaches are often infested with small biting and blood sucking insects sometimes called No See Ums, Sand Flies, as well as many other names.  They are almost invisible but their bites can swell up and look like mosquito bites.  They can also carry/transmit diseases. They are also not fast, if you are moving quickly into the water, you’ll likely not get bit, but its when you walk back through the sand, sit on a towel, or have stand sticking to you or your shoes that they can hitch a ride. They are also are more active at dusk and dawn.
I however, didn’t know this ahead of my first trip to St. John left me with many red bites, that I couldn’t help but itch until they bled. Re-scratching over and over can leave scars. In desperation I looked up how to ease the itching. It recommended Chamomile lotion, but being stuck on the island I didn’t have access to that. Instead one recommendation was rubbing alcohol, it stings but would stop the itching temporarily.  Again not having that I resorted to what I had…vodka and rum. I’d drizzle a little over the wounds, and the itching would stop for a short while and then started back up again. Rinse and repeat (and don’t forget to add a sip hear or there) and you’ll be slightly drunk, slightly itchy, and smell like a mixed drink.
So my second time around I did research on how to better avoid the bites. One suggestion was that No See Ums hate garlic, and suggested you take garlic pills 2 weeks or more before your trip. So I went to the local vitamin store and got 2 bottles of garlic pills. Let me tell you those suckers are big and hard to swallow. And they will make your skin reek. And for me…it didn’t help whatsoever with the sand flies. After spending the first half of my trip getting bitten I put the bottle in the “give/take” donation center at the campsite. I had to again rely on my get drunk/alcohol anti itching plan after the fact.
So what will I try next time to protect myself from No See Ums?
- I’ve discounted over the counter insect repellent as it is very damaging for the environment and since the whole point of St. John is the nature I don’t want to kill its wonderful wildlife.
- For a more natural repellent, I might try Lemon Eucalyptus oil or Lavender oil, or I hear many citrus juice can help keep away bites. But this will likely not be entirely helpful, as it will wash off once entering the water, and I suspect the bites are occurring on the walk back to the car.
- Another example is to cover up so there isn’t as much exposed skin. And to wear lighter colors. Maybe I’ll look into longer snorkeling socks, and wear a sun cover up while on the beach.
- And probably the most important thing to do is to shake out towels, blankets, and shoes to make sure no sand makes its way into the room or car.
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