Our first trip to Bonaire is June 7th and we have been following as much of the talk as possible. Have the mosquito’s settled down any? I have read about mosquito netting with deet. Where can we find this?

Go to the bottom of the page and click on keyword search then put in mosquitos and you will gets lots of information and help

Joan,

Here's where I got mine and I love them. http://www.mosquito-netting.com/

Joan, my husband and I just got back from Bonaire (May 3-10). He did not get bit and used no deet. I only got bit a few times early on in the week, then sporadically afterwards used 40% deet spray when outside in the evenings and was fine. The mosquitoes, for us, were not NEARLY as bad as we were anticipating. I had read a lot here where others had horrible problems. Likely, being that this is dry season for Bonaire right now helped.

Now that the rain has stopped there are fewer mosquitos but that does not mean that some of those who are sweeter wont get bitten.

(Message edited by gmichael on May 12, 2008)

Just returned from my 10th trip 2 weeks ago. I was getting bitten around the ankles in the evening. I don't really think you need mosquito netting but those mosquito repellent wipes really come in handy in my expirience.

I used the deet spray more to deter those pesky tiny ants that kept trying to invade our balcony and bathroom. It did seem to help keep the ants away.

We just got back 4-25 to 5-6 and they were no problem. Did find 1 in our room, but did not get one bite. Did take the clear nail polish with for the no seeums . Got some of those

What's best to use if scuba diving? I bought some 100% deet but don't want to use it if it's going to harm the fishies. I also don't want to be eaten alive during surface intervals.

Matthew-
Mosquitoes are almost never a problem when you are diving. The stiff breeze on a boat or on the shore keeps the mosquitoes well away. Besides you are wearing all that neoprene! No need to put on repellent before you go diving, unless you are going to the mangroves or somewhere similar. The two times when mosquitoes are most likely to get you are early in the morning when you are sitting outside enjoying that first cup of coffee, or at night when they hide under the tables at the restaurants and zero in on your legs. Compared with lots of places in the US, I never thought the mosquitoes in Bonaire were a very big problem, although they can (and occasionally do) transmit dengue fever, so take your DEET repellent. As someone else mentioned, the little packets of wipe-on repellent are great to stick in your pocket before going out to dinner. And if you forget, most restaurants will have some repellent you can borrow.

Mosquitoes are not a problem when diving. They cannot hold their breath long enough to get to you but I have seen some big enough to carry a spare air so be careful.

The worst I've ever gotten bitten was July trip in 2003...I must be REALLY sweet...LOL! I didn't use any spray the first two days, and got eaten alive, since then, each trip I load up on the bug spray and only come home with a couple bites.

c'mon cynde...we all know how sweet you are. you're even nice enough to tell mary to wave if i forget.

Will - you are a funny guy.

Good to hear they aren't a big problem on the shore. I will only worry about the bug spray going on when we're NOT diving!

who makes the wipes, and generally speaking what is July like in regards to those little buggers!!

Bill, I get mine from Avon, skin so soft. I love them. I carry them on the plane, wipe down before I get off in bonaire. They're also great at night in the restaraunt so you don't have to spray.

Pat..lol..I only wish Tom were that sweet to tell Babs and I not to wave that day at Salt Pier...we thought he was waving and smiling at us saying "hi"...little did we know what was behind us...lol...

Boat Chick, I searched Avon website, and did not find an item matching skin so soft wipes.
Can you provide any more information about the product? We will be traveling to Bonaire soon and wish to try and find some wipes.

Couldn't find it on their site either but here's a blog with a picture proving they do exist:

http://rumymother.blogspot.com/2007/04/monday-mom-must-have-avon-skin-so-soft.html

I have an Avon rep account and wasn't even able to find those SSS Wipes. Seems like it's all sprays now, either pump or aerosol.

I haven't bought them in a couple years, cause I bought so many a few years ago I always had some left over. That's a bummer. I guess you could always soak a paper towel in DEET and wipe it on you? lol...

Beware however, that DEET will remove red tonail polish, and may freak you out thinking you have hemorraghic denge...lol...

Oh, i did find this,

Insect Repellant Wipes

Off/Deep Woods Off make the wipes. Check at your local WalMart or Target or other store like that in the camping section. That is where I found mine.

Andy

Andy, Thanks for the info. Will put them on shopping list for next visit.

We were there for 3 weeks in May & happily report no mosquito problems at all. We brought down deet but didn't use it.

Vince,
That is good information. We will be on island in a few days and will bring Deet just in case.

I'm on island now and have been since mid-May. The mosquitos must like me because even with using deet, I have 13 bites to report currently on my legs. I got eaten up one day standing in line at Cultimara. It really is a hit or miss thing. Some nights I don't notice them and other nights I do.

Tribs,
Go ahead and get them all fed before the 7th.
Thanks, Skip

Will do! I just fed one more tonight. LOL!