biting bugs (Savannah: apartment, gardening, beach)

[littlelou]

what is going on here? I keep getting bitten...... last weekend, I got 7 bites. this weekend, 5.....

last summer, I used Skin so soft and it worked. This year, not working, I've tried the natural repellant, off spray, off wipes. nothing has worked. I am tired of itching..... help?!?!?!

[Ballistic Gypsy]

they are ruthless this year, that is for sure.

[I-Ruehl]

Yep, I am covered in them. Bites all over any part of me not covered no matter what I use. Gnats right?

[littlelou]

I don't know if they're gnats, mosquitos or what. I vacuumed really well Sunday and sprayed inside the apartment, but I don't think they're inside. I lit my "Off" candle last night on the deck and let it burn for awhile. I'm at a loss....

[Padgett2]

Welcome to the Real World of a southern city during a wet spring. If you only got 7 bites, give thanks!!

You would probably be able to see mosquitos. But the sand gnats are also called "no-see-ems" for a good reason. They will most likely be gone in a few weeks. However, this has been a weird weather spring and the gnats may fool us and stick around longer.

I know it won't make it better for you, but even the most ancient of us have never gotten used to the dratted things. Stay indoors, especially in the mornings and late evenings, as much as possible. Forget about working in the garden. They LOVE you when you do that!

[I-Ruehl]

Ha, I am always gardening, and covered in bites, when I am not in the garden, I'm fishing, ha more bites. Nothing seems to stop them!!

[Fritzc]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

Welcome to the Real World of a southern city during a wet spring. If you only got 7 bites, give thanks!!

You would probably be able to see mosquitos. But the sand gnats are also called "no-see-ems" for a good reason. They will most likely be gone in a few weeks. However, this has been a weird weather spring and the gnats may fool us and stick around longer.

I know it won't make it better for you, but even the most ancient of us have never gotten used to the dratted things. Stay indoors, especially in the mornings and late evenings, as much as possible. Forget about working in the garden. They LOVE you when you do that!

This Michigan boy had a rude introduction to "Sand Gnats" this February. I was bitten a dozen times on the beach one day while visiting my nephew. I didn't think much of it as we are used to B-29 sized mosquitoes, Black Flies and Flesh Flies in Michigan. How bad could these tiny tiny little black Gnats be to a tough old outdoor boy from Michigan? Well I itched uncontrollably for a month and it drove me crazy!!! I took oral Benadryl, spray on Benadryl, Jelly fish spray on stuff, Hydrocortizone lotion, and my grandma's old remedy for everything, Witch Hazel! Nothing helped, at all!!!
I'm back in Michigan now and just have the scabs as reminders to cover up on the Beach in Georgia or stay away from the dune grass. Another thing I learned is not to get stuck with Sand Burrs on the beach. Those things raise the skin half an inch when pulling them out of your skin. Glad to be back in Michigan where the Bugs and Bushes are more familiar. At least I know what I am dealing with.

[littlelou]

I guess when I moved down here last June, I "missed" these monsters... I didn't get bit last summer at all, and I was at the beach every weekend... I mixed some Tea Tree oil in witch hazel and it "helps" but damn they itch.....

[BlueGayle]

I don't know what bit me but I have had this rash for the second time since a few months ago. It's all around my lower neck and rings around to the back of my neck and shoulders, even my elbows. This rash is in the same exact place it was previously. I've never had this in my life until we moved to Savannah GA. I've looked up sand gnat rashes and ****** rashes, bed bug rashes, and none of them look like mine. The itchy bumps are tiny, not red, and not welts. It's been a month and haven't gone away. It took over 2 months before my last rash went away the first time.

[I-Ruehl]

go to the DR!