Sandflies/Midgies - Protection and treatment advice please

[Jared01]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has any advice to stop being bitten by sandfly/midgies and if bitten, what have you found works the best for treating the bites?

We camp several times a year already and soon will be buying a caravan so will be holidaying more and more and need to find out what works best.


We went camping at Patonga NSW on the weekend (no caravan yet) and this time seem to have gotten bitten by sandflies/midgies.

It's funny how some other people we went with did not get bitten. Is it different body odours they are attracted to?

It is worse for my 7 year old son as he tends to scratch more being a child so I would like to best tackle this problem.


Thanks for your feedback!

 

[mbr37746]

There's probably 11,275 home remedies for this, including mixing the ground up shell of some exotic beetle with baking soda and lemon juice and applying to your entire body only on a full moon. Seriously, personally I find that simple Aeroguard works great for me, but not for Mrs mbr as she uses Bushman 40% DEET heavy duty to get similar protection.
I may only get a couple of bites where as she'll be attacked by every bug within a 50km radius so I'm not really sure if its the body odour, blood type or the fact that these bugs don't like the levels of caffeine or most likely the type of beer I drink that's in my blood.. If it's working, I'll keep it up!

 

[Dobbie]

I'm particularly susceptible as well and have found there's only so much you can do to prevent bites. By the time you realise the little darlings have got you it's too late.

One thing I try to do is keep a close weave shirt and / or long pants on if I think they're getting ready to attack. Best I've found is the SunSmart brand with a very tight weave.

and make sure I'm in that garb at sunset when they're most prevalent.

I also try Bushmans but have no idea if it helps but it makes me feel I'm trying to do something. I've tried lots of other " preventions" but I still end up up with huge itchy bites that look like chicken pox. Vitamin B is supposed to help build an immunity.

Treatment? Ice asap on the bites, cut your fingernails so you don't damage yourself too much when scratching, any soothing lotion which makes you feel better...stingos, betadine, calomine lotion, are some but there are others. I've resorted to a medically prescribed lotion but this is only for extreme reactions. I'm also highly allergic to bee stings so have to carry an epipen.

And yes, it's ironic that some remain bite free and others are just magnets...I've been told it's nothing to do with body odour but more to do with different blood types...only those with blue blood need apply.

Has the boy an allergy to anything in particular? If not, I'd look for some closely woven clothing for the sunset protection in particular, put dupes and socks on him towards sunset, plaster him during the day with anything the chemist recommends, carry some ice or donate some from your sunset drinks, and carry calomine lotion, soothing cream (from memory one that has a high menthol content....but don't quote me) and anything else the medicos suggest.

You need to reduce exposure, treat immediately and reduce any risk of infection.

But I hate to say it, if he's susceptible he'll get bitten if they're around....all you can really do is reduce the impact as best you can.

Now that was cheerful, wasn't it?

 

[mikerezny]

There's probably 11,275 home remedies for this, including mixing the ground up shell of some exotic beetle with baking soda and lemon juice and applying to your entire body only on a full moon. Seriously, personally I find that simple Aeroguard works great for me, but not for Mrs mbr as she uses Bushman 40% DEET heavy duty to get similar protection.
I may only get a couple of bites where as she'll be attacked by every bug within a 50km radius so I'm not really sure if its the body odour, blood type or the fact that these bugs don't like the levels of caffeine or most likely the type of beer I drink that's in my blood.. If it's working, I'll keep it up!

Hi @Dobbie,

I was told that they attack women more than men because they are attracted to estrogen. We were in Mooloolaba last year
visiting some friends and the two women in the group had heaps of red welts from the sandflies / midges. The two males got hardly a bite.

So, my idea of a good repellent would be to always stay near one or more women.

cheers
Mike

 

[SMJ x2]

Sandfly's just love me.I have tried everything and the only thing that works for me is Soov from the chemist.It comes in a tube and numbs the bite and stops the scratching.I carry everywhere with me where I know there are sandfly's.Mossies love me also and if one gets past my mossie bands or the clicker I use the soov.

 

[Dobbie]

Hey Mike.

Please tell....what's a 'woman woman'?

Is that a wo men?

 

[mikerezny]

Hey Mike.

Please tell....what's a 'woman woman'?

Is that a wo men?

Hi @Dobbie,

As I said previously, I am easily confused.

I'm going back to my spreadsheet spreadsheet.

cheers
Mike

 

[Dobbie]

Confusion, it seems, is contagious.

There are a few of us severely afflicted.

Here's some starters for the spreadsheet ....old kettle 1kg, electric kettle 4kg, cutlery 4kg, towels (4) 2kg.......and so on and so forth and......wine x12 16kg......and napisan (large) 500 gems....

Can you tell I've been a weighing today.?

and I think I'm suffering from heatstroke.....

 

[mikerezny]

Confusion, it seems, is contagious.

There are a few of us severely afflicted.

Here's some starters for the spreadsheet ....old kettle 1kg, electric kettle 4kg, cutlery 4kg, towels (4) 2kg.......and so on and so forth and......wine x12 16kg......and napisan (large) 500 gems....

Can you tell I've been a weighing today.?

and I think I'm suffering from heatstroke.....

Hi @Dobbie,
if you replace the electric kettle with a KMart electric jug for less than $10, you will shave off over 3kg.

Then you can use the 3kg to carry two more bottles of wine and over 300g of good cheese.

Plastic cutlery, and you will get almost three more bottles of wine!

Decant the wine into plastic bottles (we used to do this on backpacking trips: good wine stayed in the bottle, cheap wine was put into PET bottles) and you can shave off another 7kg per dozen.

This is gonna be fun, I'm off to find some scales.

cheers
Mike

 

[Dobbie]

Scale them thar heights!

I like the wine trade off...but your major task, should you wish to accept it, is still the roast dinner on the Chippie!


Don't be deflected but keep the spreadsheet going.

 

[bigcol]

as @Dobbie said, prevention is about the only thing that works well
oh

and instead of spending a small fortune at the chemist

- get some White Wine Vinegar - takes the stinging away,
(douse them in rock salt as well, and have a meal....................)

or a hot shower and cover in Calamine Lotion - I prefer the vinegar, works on ANYthing that stings...

but I also agree with @mikerezny - SWMBO gets attacked like nothing on earth, and they leave me alone - so I'm happy

 

[mikerezny]

Scale them thar heights!

I like the wine trade off...but your major task, should you wish to accept it, is still the roast dinner on the Chippie!


Don't be deflected but keep the spreadsheet going.

Hi @Dobbie,
nice of you to ask.

The roast dinner on the chip burner is progressing nicely.

On the weekend, I got a Sunbeam electric frypan complete with glass and aluminum lids for free on trashnothing. Thanks for the idea regarding the Sunbeam frypan.

Yesterday, I spent an hour or two grinding off parts of the base so that it fits snugly on top of the chip burner between the circular ridge that houses the electric element.

The chip burner has also had a major modification: 10 holes drilled around near the top to create better airflow.

This weekend, we are off to Mount Alexander to try it all out with breakfast muffins and then a BBQ dinner to get an idea of how it works heatwise.

Although I hate it, I will probably have to resort to using a few heatbeads when it comes time to try the roast dinner.
First up will be 4 chicken drumsticks in lemon marinade, potatoes with fresh rosemary, and possibly pumpkin or sweet potato. But that won't happen until our next trip after the Melbourne Caravan show.

In view of the increased interest of keeping the weight down, I will now not carry the glass lid. It weighs about the same as 4 cans of cider!

cheers
Mike

 

[spiderpig]

The best replant ive found is my wife. As long as she is close im sweet.

 

[Dobbie]

Hi @Dobbie,
nice of you to ask.

The roast dinner on the chip burner is progressing nicely.

On the weekend, I got a Sunbeam electric frypan complete with glass and aluminum lids for free on trashnothing. Thanks for the idea regarding the Sunbeam frypan.

Yesterday, I spent an hour or two grinding off parts of the base so that it fits snugly on top of the chip burner between the circular ridge that houses the electric element.

The chip burner has also had a major modification: 10 holes drilled around near the top to create better airflow.

This weekend, we are off to Mount Alexander to try it all out with breakfast muffins and then a BBQ dinner to get an idea of how it works heatwise.

Although I hate it, I will probably have to resort to using a few heatbeads when it comes time to try the roast dinner.
First up will be 4 chicken drumsticks in lemon marinade, potatoes with fresh rosemary, and possibly pumpkin or sweet potato. But that won't happen until our next trip after the Melbourne Caravan show.

In view of the increased interest of keeping the weight down, I will now not carry the glass lid. It weighs about the same as 4 cans of cider!

cheers
Mike

Looking forward to the progress report.

Sunbeam was a real bargain...amazing what's available for free. The square shape I find is better for keeping the heat in. Is the lid vent still ok.. That'll allow you to keep the temp under control.

and...I nearly forgot...use some sort of rack for the roast to keep its bum away from the plate.

(I think I was suffering from the heat here yesterday ...what with scales, spreadsheets and such....had a huge thunderstorm last night that cleared the humidity ...much better today....good for mozzie breeding)

Apologies for my digressions!

:focus: :flypig:

 

[Drover]

I have 2 remedies..........heaps of RID Tropical or leave the area................................we live in sandfly heaven up here....................diesel also works.

 

[Alan]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has any advice to stop being bitten by sandfly/midgies and if bitten, what have you found works the best for treating the bites?

We camp several times a year already and soon will be buying a caravan so will be holidaying more and more and need to find out what works best.


We went camping at Patonga NSW on the weekend (no caravan yet) and this time seem to have gotten bitten by sandflies/midgies.

It's funny how some other people we went with did not get bitten. Is it different body odours they are attracted to?

It is worse for my 7 year old son as he tends to scratch more being a child so I would like to best tackle this prob

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has any advice to stop being bitten by sandfly/midgies and if bitten, what have you found works the best for treating the bites?

We camp several times a year already and soon will be buying a caravan so will be holidaying more and more and need to find out what works best.


We went camping at Patonga NSW on the weekend (no caravan yet) and this time seem to have gotten bitten by sandflies/midgies.

It's funny how some other people we went with did not get bitten. Is it different body odours they are attracted to?

It is worse for my 7 year old son as he tends to scratch more being a child so I would like to best tackle this problem.


Thanks for your feedback!

My wife is bitten but they seem not to touch me, I think however they do bite me but I do not react. she takes an antihistamine as soon as she knows they have attached and one again the next day plus uses Stingos. Use repellant, stay away from grassy areas and sand flats. if it is hot, cold or windy they are generally not around but will shelter in wind protected areas. They love warm humid days. Cover up around dust and dawn.

 

[SMJ x2]

as @Dobbie said, prevention is about the only thing that works well
oh

and instead of spending a small fortune at the chemist

- get some White Wine Vinegar - takes the stinging away,
(douse them in rock salt as well, and have a meal....................)

or a hot shower and cover in Calamine Lotion - I prefer the vinegar, works on ANYthing that stings...

but I also agree with @mikerezny - SWMBO gets attacked like nothing on earth, and they leave me alone - so I'm happy

Vinegar and calamine lotion no work for me

 

[Dobbie]

Ages ago a mix of baby oil and dettol was supposed to work but the sand flies just got more attached via the oil.

Loads of home grown remedies but if you have a real allergy and a strong reaction to the bites it's best to seek medical advice so that antihistamines can be prescribed and you have them on hand when you need them. A far better cream to treat the bites is also needed....steroid cream.

If it's not a major problem then you may as well try the home grown remedies, the mild stuff the chemists can sell, and anything else that takes your fancy.

If it's likely to be a major problem you need to treat it as such...get medical advice.

An untreated infection from scratched bites can be dangerous and also leave scars.

 

[SMJ x2]

Tried that baby oil and detol concoction ,doesn't work for me. None of the home remedies work for me.I have had such a bad reaction to just one bite ended up in ER also had steroid cream when bites were infected.Soov has got anesthetic in it and the only thing I have tried that works.
Maybe I am special :laugh:

 

[bigcol]

Maybe I am special :laugh:

as long as your not licking the windows, you will be ok................................