gnat: [nat] noun - any of certain small flies, especially the biting gnats or punkies of the family Ceratopogonidae, the midges of the family Chironomidae, and the black flies of the family Simuliidae. Also known as black fly, midge, mosquito, sandfly and no-see-ums.
Whatever you call them, I'm going absolutely gnatty! The no-see-ums are plentiful here in southwest Utah. They're out all times of the day and night. Yesterday morning we took a beautiful drive up toward Kolob Reservoir and stopped to search for a couple of geocaches. The gnats literally bugged us at each and every stop. We bailed out on one search because the gnats were simply too much.
While the pests just pestered Paul, they made a meal out of me. My arms were covered with flat red spots. Today, they're itchy. Really itchy. And, I've discovered the critters got me in some previously unnoticed places. I'm doing my best not to scratch. Hydrocortisone is my new best friend and I'm going to stay out of the heat, which makes matters worse.
With plans to do some early morning hiking while we're here, I'm trying to find a solution for keeping these bugs at bay while we're out and about. I have one of those Bug Off! personal fan thingies. And, it works great when I'm sitting outside. But, I was wearing that thing yesterday when the gnats attacked! So, I need to find something a little more potent. DEET is out of the question. I tried that once, and it was worse than the bites it prevented.
I've done a bit of research, and am as confused as ever. So, I'm turning to you, dear readers, for your help and wisdom. What's your DEET-free way of keeping gnats at bay?
I look forward to your responses. Now, where did I put that hyrdocortisone?
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11 comments:
I would never recommend it, but there are occasional benefits from the Hubster's pipe smoke.....
good luck!!!
it must be an epidemic. The black flies are TERRIBLE here in MA. and their bite is much itchier than a mosquito bite and lasts about a week for me. Can't stand them.
Found your blog from Jim and Dee Walter's blog (Tumbleweed). We us Juniper lotion from Bath and Body. Rub it on you skin and then pat your hair with your hands. It was recommeded by a campground owner in south Georgia. She buts it from the local Bath and Body store and does NOT markup the price. Says she needs to keep her campers happy so they will return. It does work. Really like your blog.
Hmm. I can't help, since Deet works for me. You say it's worse than the bites--is it an allergic reaction? I'm getting ready for mosquito experiences as we get further north, and bought a pen-like stick called StingEze Max2--it's supposed to help relieve the itch AFTER you've been bitten. The main ingredients are Benzocaine and Phenol. I haven't tried it yet since we haven't seen mosquitos yet. I also plan to buy some lanocaine lotion.
Alas those fan things are no good if you're not stationary ... that's not really clear in the ads is it? I don't know about gnats, but Avon Skin So Soft works for mosquitoes; perhaps worth a try.
Without a doubt Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard is the best preventive for any kinds of bugs I've come into contact with.
If you need an Avon person, I can recommend Allisonmacin@yahoo.com. She will ship anywhere.
This may sound crazy, but worth a try. Walk around with a golf club in your hand pointed upward. I believe a putter is best. worked in upstate New York each year I lived there. Four!!!!
I heard a dryer sheet works(just rub it on your skin) for mosquitos as does Avon skin so soft!..try not to scratch!..
As chemically sensitive as I am, most contact solutions are not worth the alternative symptoms to me. However, there are lines of bug proof/repellent clothing that you might check out.
http://www.cabelas.com/bug-proof-clothing.shtml
Cabala's is a good place to start but there is everything from just head nets to full body double net suits which keep the 2 netting layers separated so things, like mosquitoes with long snouts, cannot poke into your skin through the holes in mesh.
I keep a couple of head nets (zippered into their own pocket cases) nearby all the time.
No-see-ems, well, that may be something else to deal with. The one's we had in Florida as a kid, were skinny enough to go through mosquito netting but the ones at the beaches here in N.C. seem to be stopped by the netting so it might be a try-before-you-buy situation in Utah.
Good luck with this and let us know what you find that works. We are planning to be out that way next year and it would be nice to be "properly" prepared.
I almost got eaten alive while doing volunteer work out doors in Lake Havasu, AZ last Sept. I didn't even feel the bites of the no-see-ums, but got the red flat spots first on my arms--maybe 50 on each arm. They got so itchy, nothing helped. Both arms were covered & the itchy spots turned to raised bites. I suffered for about a week and finally someone told me about a lotion called Sarna which you can get at any CVS or Walgreen, etc. It has a cooling effect after you apply it. I thought it was an allergic reaction to a plant or something as when it happened I was doing some outside trimming on the wildlife refuge we were working at. But after time went on, everyone said it was no-see-ums. We had them in FL, but I never got bit so bad as this time. Try the Sarna lotion and good luck. Let me know how you do.
Skin So Soft bath oil mixed 50-50 with water and sprayed on usually works against no-seeums (I even spray the window screens), flies and mosquitoes. Porter's Liniment Salve (you can special order it at the pharmacy at Walgreens and they should have it the next day) will lessen/stop the itch from bug bites but there's a strongish smell of pine tar to it. I use it all the time for my mosquito bites.
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