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Welcome To The Exclusive St. Thomas USVI, St. John USVI, St. Croix USVI & More Travel Guide in the US Virgin Islands (USVI)
(No-See-Ums, Sand Fleas/Flies, Gnats, Mosquitoes, etc)
Sand Fleas, Sand Flies, No-See-Ums, Gnats, Mosquitoes, US Virgin Islands
Many visitors to the US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas USVI, St. John USVI, and St. Croix USVI) fall casualty to mosquitos and sand flies/fleas bites, which are locally called No-See-Um or Vampire Bugs. These Vampire Bugs can have an awful effect on tourist with particularly sensitive skin. Keep in mind that sand flies/fleas (no-see-ums) encounters are present around marshy and sandy areas (beaches) in the early hours of the day before the sun heats up and around 4PM to 5PM when the sun begins to set. It is recommended that those prone to various bites wear light long sleeved shirts and long pants as well as socks and shoes if you plan to be on the beach around sunrise or sundown. The bite of a sand flea is actually a sting and the effects can be felt for hours. A small reddish or whitish welt, about the size of a freckle is a sure sign you have become a sand flea feast. Often, one comes across hundreds of sand fleas/flies (no-see-ums) at one time and will receive multiple bites/stings.
What Are No-See-Ums?
No-See-Ums are also known as Biting Midges, Vampire Bugs, Punkies, or Sand Flies. These tiny, biting flies are only 1/25” to 1/10”, small enough to pass through screens. You may not see them, but you will notice their hot, painful, stinging bite. The cutting mouthparts slice your skin and their salvia keeps your blood from clotting until they finish sucking blood. Welts and lesions from the bite may last for days. They can become unbearable at dawn and dusk, especially from mid to late summer. They are attracted to light and will rest on the outside of buildings and enter homes through the slightest crack. Sometimes they fly into people’s eyes, ears, and mouth. Swarms produce a high-pitched whine from the thousands of tiny beating wings.
These no-see-ums resemble mosquitoes, but the body is stouter, the proboscis is shorter, the legs are rather short, and the two hairy wings are shorter and broader. They have a small brown head. The males have a plume-like antenna. They breathe by means of blood gills after the manner of fish.
Eggs are laid in water or in moist decaying organic matter, and hatch in about three days. The eggs are often held together in masses or in strings by a gelatinous secretion. Larvae are cylindrical and thin-skinned, with a distinct head. Larvae eat decaying plant matter. Most species develop in the standing water along the margins of ponds, ditches or lakes, and in rot holes of trees. Larvae mature in about four weeks, float to the surface, pupate, and adults are released to the water’s surface. No-see-ums are important food for fresh-water fishes.
How do you prevent/control No-See-Ums, Sand Fleas, Sand Flies, Gnats, and Mosquitoes?
Most small stinging/biting insects are mainly nocturnal and do not like the warm temperature of the day. Sand fleas/flies will bury themselves in the sand until it is cools down enough to come out and feed. Many species of Mosquito only come out when the sun and wind are calm. The best solution to the problem of stinging insects is prevention.
Here are a couple of tips on prevention:
- Use non-chemical controls as much as possible. Doctors are very concerned about the use of Deet being that it is toxic by nature. If chemical controls are necessary, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and use a composite of Deet, R-326 and MGK-264.
- Make sure to wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Do NOT use any scented lotions, perfumes, shampoos, after-shave products, deodorants and any other scented products. These scented odors are a magnet for mosquitoes including body odor, so bathe regularly!
- Incandescent lights seem to attract larger numbers of sand flies/fleas (no-see-ums) especially during early evening and early morning hours.
- Eliminate breeding sites, empty large containers that contain still water or moisture. No-see-ums fly near their breeding site.
How do you treat/medicate Bites, Welts, and Lesions?
Unfortunately, not all treatments work for all people. You may have to try various remedies to soothe the pain, itching and swelling. Do not rub or scratch any sting. Sting Care Wipes will help reduce itch and pain if used shortly after being stung. (Make sure you bring these with you). If you forget to buy the wipes, use rubbing alcohol. Vodka or other clear liquors wiped over the area will also help. Motrin, Advil, and Alleve will help to reduce swelling, pain, and fever. You can also try Calamine Lotion, which is messy to work with, but it extracts the toxins from below the skin. In severe cases, see the local pharmacist for over the counter applications or visit a doctor if prescription drugs are recommended.