Bug Spray!

[BeverlyS]

Those little suckers are drawn to me terribly! Hubby never gets bit. Any suggestions for the best bug repellent to use in Mexico, Grand Cayman and Key West?

[Kamloops50]

Those little suckers are drawn to me terribly! Hubby never gets bit. Any suggestions for the best bug repellent to use in Mexico, Grand Cayman and Key West?

 

Never have seen mosquitoes in Mexico or Grand Cayman. Can't answer for Key West.

[YoHoHo]

see this:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/the-pre-travel-consultation/protection-against-mosquitoes-ticks-other-arthropods

For an anwser to your question see the section on repellants and efficacy. But there there are more things that you can do to reduce getting bit if you review it all.

[Tiggertastic]

They love me so I have to spray most days, never had to spray in key west though. As long as it has a high amount of deet it does the job for me. I got some bands this year off amazon

 

 

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[slidergirl]

I took a small bottle of Ben's repellant with me to Puerto Rico for 10-night stay. I was out in El Yunque, Rio Grande, Vieques and was good. The last day/night I was in San Juan. Dumb me, I didn't put any on - sure enough, the next morning I had one good bite on my leg...

 

In Grand Cayman, I never had an issue with mosquitoes - it is the nasty little no-see-ums and sand mites that got me :eek:

[Grandma Dazzles]

Anything with Deet in it is usually recommended. If you do not want to bother with a can, you can get individual wipes that are very useful and work well.

[Nanny8]

Those little suckers are drawn to me terribly! Hubby never gets bit. Any suggestions for the best bug repellent to use in Mexico, Grand Cayman and Key West?

I get ya. They love me too. A little hint from my time living in sub-Saharan Africa-don't eat bananas when you are planning on traveling to mosquito regions. They are attracted to the potassium in bananas. Also tonic water (with quinine) helps to deter them-it does not prevent malaria but it will help to deter mosquitoes. Don't rely on it solely as a source of protection but it helps.

I use Watkins brand from Costco. It comes in small containers (and they have a balm as well). The small spray containers fit in the liquids TSA bags.

I cannot wear long pants because I sweat like crazy so I have to rely on the repellant. As well they are drawn to the sweat and mosquitoes bite through material (even jeans) as my daughter found out when living in Africa with us.

All that being said, I did not encounter any problems in Mexico, Grand Caymen or Key West.

We did stick away from the Everglades because I figured it just wasn't worth the hassle of reapplying often (sweat will reduce the effect of the repellant just as it does with sunscreen).

Hope this helps.

[SuiteTraveler]

Mosquitos may be attracted to you due to what you are eating or not eating. Generally, they hate bananas and garlic - the more you eat of these, the less likely you are to get bitten. At the same time, do use a good spay. A lot of people like Avon's Skin So Soft with mosquito repellant and SPF.

[iheartbda]

Well, this is interesting. One poster says DON'T eat bananas and the very next poster comes along and says DO eat bananas.:D

[cb at sea]

Whatever you use at home, use on the ship! I'm lucky...I hardly EVER get bitten (probably because I used to ride my bike thru the mosquito fogger truck in the Dismal swamp, in Va...when I was a kid>.....I'm probably toxic!)...Hubby and daughter get eaten up!

[Ashland]

Instead of "spray" use the Off brand of wipes...easier to travel with and use.

[Athankfulheart]

We use Repel wipes at home and when we travel and have never had them fail. They are 30% deet. Repel also makes a 1 ounce 100% (98.xx% actually) spray but I've been happy with the 30%. You can find them on Amazon.

[SadieN]

Mosquitos may be attracted to you due to what you are eating or not eating. Generally, they hate bananas and garlic - the more you eat of these, the less likely you are to get bitten. At the same time, do use a good spay. A lot of people like Avon's Skin So Soft with mosquito repellant and SPF.

 

 

Depends on the mosquito. The Tiger mosquito is attracted to bananas. No idea about the Aegypti mosquito

[Ontariotrekker]

If mosquitoes love you then so will sand fleas so make sure to use repellent on your feet if you're wearing sandals or spray your socks if wearing closed shoes.

 

I wear glasses so I dab a bit on my temples to scare them away from my eyes.

 

Shar

[WupperAV]

Bananas are bad luck on a boat. Cats are Good luck.

[Nanny8]

Depends on the mosquito. The Tiger mosquito is attracted to bananas. No idea about the Aegypti mosquito

Funny eh? I read some research articles on the whole banana thing. There is evidence regarding mosquitoes being more attracted to those who ingest bananas but the studies are limited.

We went by the evidence of people who lived in Africa for 34 years.

Mosquitoes are going to bite you no matter what you use. Just do the best you can and don't worry too much. As I mentioned before I really did not notice too many mosquitoes in any of the islands we visited and they are super attracted to me.

If you are super worried remember you must spray your clothes as well and your hair too. They love to bite the scalp. They do bite through clothes (even thick clothes like jeans so remember to spray your clothes :).