I’ve had problems when I go to the beach with gnat bites or “no-seeums’ as they are referred to. I tend to have allergic reactions to the bites so I really need something that will help keep them away while I’m there vacationing. I’ve tried going to my allergist and getting a shot beforehand, but that doesn’t seem to do the trick. I always end up being miserable and then having to come back home and get another shot. How best can I combat these gnats?
You seem to have a lot of good products and if I could afford it, I would buy one of everything that you mention for no-seeums. Since cost is a factor, what, in your opinion, would be most effective for me? We do like to sit out on the deck in the evening and sometimes at night and I know they can easily get through the screens. I’ve tried citronella candles and lots of bug sprays, but I still end up getting bites. The beach that we like the most is remote and a little bit out of the way. I know they spray, but I don’t know how often and obviously because of the problems that I’ve had I need extra help. Even with all the problems I’ve had, I still love the beach and this location in particular..
Would you please suggest a few products that would be most effective for me without having to buy one of everything?
Thanks so much for your help!
This is a tough one. It’s not that’s it tough to solve the problem. I’m 100% sure if you had the BACK PACK FOGGER and blasted away with some BIFEN you’d knock down the local population enough so you could go outside without having to get shots before and after the trip. But anything less is a gamble. This is especially true when the problem is close to water, marshland and other moist environments. Since they’ll thrive in the millions, it’s near to impossible not to get bit if you don’t actively reduce the local population around the structure and yard where you’d like to be outside and active.
That being said, I’m not sure you’ll get good results using anything less than a FM6309 or FM6208 misting machine. Neither will handle the amount of area like our Back Pack Fogger but they do create the same result. And I’m certain the only way you’ll be able to enjoy the outside will be by reducing the population in the area. I would say if you treated at least a 1/2 if not a full acre of land around the home you could survive and be happy. And I would treat as often as is necessary. This could be every day. I’ve seen situations where this is the case but I’ve also seen where it only requires once a week fogging in the worse part of the seaon so it’s hard to say for sure.
Lastly, I’m not sure any repellent will do an adequate job at keeping these pests at bay so I’m not going to list anything for you. I know they will work during the day and in areas where people aren’t wanting to lay out and relax. For example, the local Putt Putt Golf center or Driving Range. In the evening these areas will be full of people along with a lot of biting pests. No-seeums, mosquitoes, gnats and other “blood seeking insects” will be hanging around there big time and if you arrived with one of the repellents we have listed I’m sure it would help keep them off you. But a big reason why this would happen is because they’d have an alternative food supply with all the other people around. Unfortunately that’s not the case at your beach house. With only a very limited food supply to keep them occupied, they’re more likely to focus in on you because they just don’t have many options. This is when repellents tend to fail.
In summary, I’m afraid anything short of fogging as explained in our NOSEEUM CONTROL article won’t help much. So if you want them gone, you’ll need to do a little work and keep at it your whole time visiting.
Here are direct links to the information and products listed above:
Back Pack Fogger: http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/foggers/solo-mistblower-backpack
Bifen: http://www.bugspraycart.com/insecticide/liquid/bifen
FM6309: http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/foggers/fogmaster-6309-120-v
FM6208: http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/foggers/fogmaster-6208-trijet-120-v
No-Seeum Control: http://www.bugspray.com/article/sandflies.html
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