editorZ 2014-08-10 23:48:48 UTC #1
No one likes a mosquito bite, but when visiting foreign climates it can turn from a simple irritation into a serious problem. What should you know about this pest if you choose to visit the Dominican Republic? What can you do about some of the mosquito carried diseases? Read more on our website: http://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com/debbie_meets/130_travel_article_caribbean.html and please let us know about your opinion and what do you do to protect yourself against mosquitoes.
tirednurse 2014-08-11 00:17:52 UTC #2
It’s not mosquitos that bother me so much, it’s sand fleas! If anyone has a solution to this problem, I’d love to hear it.
Tired Nurse
editorZ 2014-08-11 00:25:31 UTC #3
[quote=@tirednurse]It’s not mosquitos that bother me so much, it’s sand fleas! If anyone has a solution to this problem, I’d love to hear it.
Tired Nurse[/quote]
Some members before noted that 30 deet insect repellent worked well for them but it is very strong DEET I guess and some people do not like it.
Debbie_from_Winnipeg 2014-08-11 01:51:41 UTC #4
Where did the information “Dengue fever outbreaks occur in the Dominican Republic on a sporadic basis and are often played down by local officials not wanting to scare away the tourists.” come from?
editorZ 2014-08-11 06:23:05 UTC #5
Hi Debbie from Winnipeg, most of the times when you ask locals if there are sharks in the sea they would say no there is no sharks. As we all know sharks can be anywhere where is salty waters and information about Dengue came from person who live in Dominican full time. Here is the link to the latest map of Dengue reports in the world so just zoom into Dominican Republic to see more http://www.healthmap.org/dengue/en/ It is our responsibility to stay safe on our vacations and in resorts we are very safe as resorts are fumigated and treated for mosquitoes while smaller towns or villages are not so if we go out of the resorts we have to be better prepared than sorry.
camaro 2014-08-11 13:14:08 UTC #6
Tired Nurse When it comes to Sand fleas the biggest tip I can give is,when you come back up to your room from the beach NEVER EVER put anything i.e. beach bag,towels etc on the bed! They will get you when you are sleeping.
Most people confuse mosquito bites and sand flea bites because they look similar.
mra 2014-08-11 20:02:44 UTC #7
Tired Nurse …I find that “Avon Skin So Soft, Regular Scent” works for me. If I do get biten, then hydracortisone cream takes the itch out.
And, I agree with Quagmire ! Do not put your sandy beach bag, beach towels on your bed, as the little critters will hop right off and on to the bed…giving you a very restless sleep in the night if they happen to bite !! Also…As you leave the beach area, rinse the sand off your feet, ankles & calves …leave the sandfleas on the beach & not in your room !
Debbie_from_Winnipeg 2014-08-12 16:23:58 UTC #8
Hi Debbie from Winnipeg, most of the times when you ask locals if there are sharks in the sea they would say no there is no sharks. As we all know sharks can be anywhere where is salty waters and information about Dengue came from person who live in Dominican full time. Here is the link to the latest map of Dengue reports in the world so just zoom into Dominican Republic to see more http://www.healthmap.org/dengue/en/ It is our responsibility to stay safe on our vacations and in resorts we are very safe as resorts are fumigated and treated for mosquitoes while smaller towns or villages are not so if we go out of the resorts we have to be better prepared than sorry.
You’re so right, the other problem is lack of education for the locals, especially the not so fortunate ones that rely on cisterns for their water supply, a lot of them don’t have covers and become a breeding ground haven. A little bit of advertising from their government would go a long way, or even a radio commercial like we have here.
eltigre62 2014-08-13 13:40:12 UTC #9
The very best repellant is WATKINS BRAND GREAT OUTDOORS INSECT REPELLANT LOTION. Over the years we have tried assorted brands , either they don’t work or smell is very strong. The watkins brand a little goes a long way and not a strong smell works great at home and on vacation.We live in the country and mozzies get very big and bite hard. works for sand flees too I just rub a tiny dot on my ankles to my knees in the am and the pm when I am on holidays , never really get any bites . You can buy this fron a Watkins dealer or home hardware sell it too. try it goes a long way and works!
Debbie_from_Winnipeg 2014-08-13 16:21:42 UTC #10
Couldn’t agree more about the Watkins Lotion… had trouble finding it in stores this year though. Apparantly the company is based here in Winnipeg where I live and it was high priced… Hopped onto Walmart.ca and ordered online for less money, higher volume and FREE shipping… it arrived yesterday !!!
bobfromcanada 2014-08-13 17:11:27 UTC #11
For you Costco members, we just got some about a week ago at our local Costco. It was Costco size of course (2×240 ml lotion and 1×150 ml spray). Hope it’s a good as you say it is because we have lots. ![]("http://forums.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/images/emoji/twitter/slight_smile.png?v=5")
dot 2014-08-14 01:23:26 UTC #12
Bob – buy one off ya Sept. 13 at the Fiesta if you don’t need it all – will come in handy in the DR January 11 till April 5… Just heard today that the owner of Big Lee’s in Puerto Plata has had Chikunguna for 5 days and is just now feeling well enough to go into work…said the first few days his feet hurt so much he couldn’t bear to stand!
bobfromcanada 2014-08-14 01:48:51 UTC #13
You’ll be there for a ‘few’ months and might need a bit.
We could buy the package for you if you want …
edit: I looked up the bill and it was a bit less than $15 (taxes included)
bfc
dot 2014-08-16 03:05:57 UTC #14
Thanks Bob – will get it from ya at the Fiesta…
Debbie_from_Winnipeg 2014-08-17 17:18:56 UTC #15
For you Costco members, we just got some about a week ago at our local Costco. It was Costco size of course (2×240 ml lotion and 1×150 ml spray). Hope it’s a good as you say it is because we have lots.
Bob is that the Watkins Lotion?
bobfromcanada 2014-08-17 17:47:47 UTC #16
Yes. It was the Watkins (2 x 240 ml lotion and 1 x 150 ml spray).
edit: the spray is a hand pump, not aerosol (like Walmart)
Also, currently showing as out of stock at Walmart.ca
bfc
Debbie_from_Winnipeg 2014-08-19 05:10:36 UTC #17
timtraveler 2014-09-22 00:09:28 UTC #18
My wife and I travel a fair amount and over the years we found a solution to the No See Um’s / Sand Flies or Chiggers which ever you like to call them.
We use a product from AVON. Its call Skin So Soft. About $10.00 per bottle.
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Pump Spray
[attachment id=“50” thumbnail=“1”]
Sand Flies or No See Um’s usually come out in the dusk and again in the dawn or after a rain fall. Spray Skin So Soft at those times will decrease the bug bites. If needed apply in the afternoon.
No See Um’s are so small that they can fly through a window screen. Just to give you an idea the size of them
vwj 2014-09-23 22:34:05 UTC #19
What about if you have toddlers. We are heading to Punta Cana for a wedding in May and we are not sure if bug spray will be good for the kiddies. They will be 2.5 by then. We usually use the spray plus meds for the Malaria.
editorZ 2014-09-23 23:59:41 UTC #20
[quote=@timtraveler]My wife and I travel a fair amount and over the years we found a solution to the No See Um’s / Sand Flies or Chiggers which ever you like to call them.
We use a product from AVON. Its call Skin So Soft. About $10.00 per bottle.
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Pump Spray
[attachment id=“50” thumbnail=“1”]
Sand Flies or No See Um’s usually come out in the dusk and again in the dawn or after a rain fall. Spray Skin So Soft at those times will decrease the bug bites. If needed apply in the afternoon.
No See Um’s are so small that they can fly through a window screen. Just to give you an idea the size of them[/quote]
@timtraveler do you know if that is safe for kids and do they use DEET inside and what amount?
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