Mexico=Insect bites

[biggerbearmom]

I am sure this has been posted previously & I just happened to miss it.

I just returned yesterday from a fabulous week aboard the Norwegian Star.

Loved every minute of it (especially Cabo San Lucas) except for the

insect bites I received in Puerto Vallarta. I first noticed being bitten while up on deck as we were sailing out of P.V. Little tiny black spects, but boy they sure did bite & eventually itch and hurt. I sure wish I taken some repellent, my otherwise golden tan is marred with about 3 dozen bite marks.

To those of you who may be leaving soon, have a great time & take repellent.

[pool girl]

I am sure this has been posted previously & I just happened to miss it.

I just returned yesterday from a fabulous week aboard the Norwegian Star.

Loved every minute of it (especially Cabo San Lucas) except for the

insect bites I received in Puerto Vallarta. I first noticed being bitten while up on deck as we were sailing out of P.V. Little tiny black spects, but boy they sure did bite & eventually itch and hurt. I sure wish I taken some repellent, my otherwise golden tan is marred with about 3 dozen bite marks.

To those of you who may be leaving soon, have a great time & take repellent.

Thank-you for the information. We will be going on the star in April and I was wondering about insect bites. Other than PV did you notice alot of insects around the ship on open water? The reason I am asking is my husband would like to sleep with the balcony door open.

[biggerbearmom]

that's the weird thing about it, I never actually saw insects flying around.

The only time I saw something was when I felt a slight sting on my leg and when I looked to see what it was it was a teeny, tiny black thing. That is the only time I remember feeling something or seeing something. But the next morning my legs and arms had dozens of bites. The other weird thing is that none of my other family members were bitten; I did though happen to notice other passengers with bites.

[pool girl]

that's the weird thing about it, I never actually saw insects flying around.

The only time I saw something was when I felt a slight sting on my leg and when I looked to see what it was it was a teeny, tiny black thing. That is the only time I remember feeling something or seeing something. But the next morning my legs and arms had dozens of bites. The other weird thing is that none of my other family members were bitten; I did though happen to notice other passengers with bites.

That is really weird. I wonder if they are mexico's version of a black fly. We have them in Ontario(probably other provinces too) but they attack in swarms and you don't know you were bitten until they have feasted on you enough. But you didn't see anything at night on the open ocean?

[MSN-Travelers]

that's the weird thing about it, I never actually saw insects flying around.

The only time I saw something was when I felt a slight sting on my leg and when I looked to see what it was it was a teeny, tiny black thing. That is the only time I remember feeling something or seeing something. But the next morning my legs and arms had dozens of bites. The other weird thing is that none of my other family members were bitten; I did though happen to notice other passengers with bites.

 

It sounds like you have encountered a close cousin to the sand flee (sometimes called "no see `ems". Did you go on an excursion while in Vallarta? I have only had problems with bug bites when on an excursion that put me out in the countryside.

[biggerbearmom]

wow, that's a good call...i did go on an atv excursion which took us way out into the countryside (my son who was with me didn't get a single bite). when we were in p.v. about 4 years ago & stayed at La Jolla de Mislamoya i was attacked by the sand fleas but with those you could

see it coming.

[melika091900]

I am sure this has been posted previously & I just happened to miss it.

I just returned yesterday from a fabulous week aboard the Norwegian Star.

Loved every minute of it (especially Cabo San Lucas) except for the

insect bites I received in Puerto Vallarta. I first noticed being bitten while up on deck as we were sailing out of P.V. Little tiny black spects, but boy they sure did bite & eventually itch and hurt. I sure wish I taken some repellent, my otherwise golden tan is marred with about 3 dozen bite marks.

To those of you who may be leaving soon, have a great time & take repellent.

 

OMG

we were on the star 1/28 and in PV we did the jungle tour

you should have seen my legs.... 40-50 bites

i have a pic

i cant figure out how to post it, but if you want to see it , email me ,

melissaofoia@sbcglobal.net

 

it was horrible,,

loved the jungle but not the bugs..i dont know what they were

they were little and black,it ruined the rest of the trip since i was embarrassed to wear shorts,, and they all were swollen, it was crazy

 

i thought they just attacked me,, :)

[biggerbearmom]

it was so weird. I thought I had gotten them while I was up on deck but now realize it must have been on the excursion. The next morning they hurt so bad and were also really red and swollen. I couldn't figure out why I had so many of them & my son had not a single one. I too was embarrased as it looked like I had chicken pox on my legs. Other than the bites it was a perfect trip.

[melika091900]

it was so weird. I thought I had gotten them while I was up on deck but now realize it must have been on the excursion. The next morning they hurt so bad and were also really red and swollen. I couldn't figure out why I had so many of them & my son had not a single one. I too was embarrased as it looked like I had chicken pox on my legs. Other than the bites it was a perfect trip.

 

me too..my husband didnt get any ,, he had shorts on too , and neither my cousin or his wife neither, they just wanted me i guess.. it was crazy, i never had so many bites on me before .... i was so bummed, but i agree it was still a perfect trip,,,

where are you in nor cal? im in hercules...

 

take care

[biggerbearmom]

isn't that the east bay ? i am up in Healdsburg, if you've never been up here, it's a really beautiful little town north of santa rosa. lots of vineyards

and we also have the russian river that runs through the area.

 

wasn't mexico great! i absolutely loved cabo and would like to go back

to spend more time there. when we were in cabo we just hung out at the beach (the baja cantina), swimming, sunning ourselves and drinking beer. it was a great way to end the week. :)

[melika091900]

isn't that the east bay ? i am up in Healdsburg, if you've never been up here, it's a really beautiful little town north of santa rosa. lots of vineyards

and we also have the russian river that runs through the area.

 

wasn't mexico great! i absolutely loved cabo and would like to go back

to spend more time there. when we were in cabo we just hung out at the beach (the baja cantina), swimming, sunning ourselves and drinking beer. it was a great way to end the week. :)

 

yes healdsburg nice area.. i work for kaiser

and we book appointments for santa rosa and rhonert park,, ( i never spell that right )

and we use to go to shokawah casino alot in hopland up that way,,

did you ever get flooded this season???

or snow ??? didnt it snow there last week?????????

yeah hercules is by crockett, vallejo, pinole

 

yeah we loved mexico,, we are going back in november on carnival pride,

we are taking our 5 year old on her 1st cruise

theres suppose to be a cruise special on the travel channel at 10p,, if you read this by then

im going to watch

heres our pics if you want to see them

http://community.webshots.com/user/melika091900

 

my email is melissaofoia@sbcglobal.net

it was nice meeting you :)

have a good night and stay warm its been BURRRRRRRRR lately

[queen_kathy1]

It seems like people really didn't notice the bugs at the time, just the bites afterwards (therefore not really disturbing the excursions themselves.) So what I've learned from this thread is that insect repellent would be highly recommended for the PV Canopy Tour!

[Treven]

Were all the posters who were bitten women? Did you have on colone?

If what I read & made assumptions based upon the posts are correct, the bugs are attracted by pheramones secreted by women and/or the (generally) sweet scent of many colones.

 

If you don't want to take bug repellant on your next tour to Mexico, you might try simply tying a Bounce fabric softener to your pants or shorts at the beginning of the excursion.

[gottago2mexico]

Normally, I don't have any problem with bugs, but I did the El Eden Canopy Tour (the Predator one) last week, and forgot the bug repellent. Bad idea. Got just what you guys described.

 

It's the only time I've had a problem with bugs, never see any in town or on most of the tours. Where you find them is in the open countryside and especially anywhere moist and tropical, like El Eden, Chico's Paradise, etc. If you're going anywhere into the forest or jungle, including any canopy tour or jungle tour, make sure to bring the bug spray. Bugs are a part of life in the tropics. If you're doing a boat ride, horseback ride, or ATV tour, make sure to bring heavy sunblock and a hat. There's not much shade and you will get burned.

 

Cabo isn't bad since it's so dry, but the further south you go, the more you want to bring repellent with you when you go off the ship.

[queen_kathy1]

Does anyone know of a product that is a combination of insect spray & sunscreen? I would need to wear both as I'm very fair skinned and a magnet for all types of biting insects. Can you imagine what a treat I'd be to hang out with, covered head to toe in so much goo?

[ladycaveat]

I grew up in Florida where bug bites are often a way of life. I also grew up using Avon's Skin So Soft (as an insect repellent) and it really worked. When I'm somewhere that insects are known to bite . . . I wear no deodrant (I know, gross), hair spray, perfume or anything that tends to attract those biting little devils. I wear nothing but Skin So Soft.

 

My son (twenty-nine) will doing the Canopy zip line tour in PV and I plan to have him spray Skin So Soft all over before he leaves the ship. Actually, he lives in Miami (well, he's recently moved to Ft. Lauderdale) and spends a lot of time in the Caribbean and Gitmo (he's a helicopter pilot with the Coast Guard). I don't remember him ever saying he's been bothered by bug bites. Someone mentioned that being bitten by bugs might be more prevelent with females than males . . . wonder if that's true?

[Treven]

They're attracted by the pheromones that the female or our species secrete. Also attracted by the sweet scent of the perfume.

[ladycaveat]

They're attracted by the pheromones that the female or our species secrete. Also attracted by the sweet scent of the perfume.

 

Tee Hee . . . didn't have a clue what pheromones were. Actually had to look it up in the dictionary . . .

 

Pheromones . . . "any of various chemical substances secreted by an animal that influence specific patterns of behavior by other members of the same species"

 

Why do bugs like pheromones . . . hopefully . . . I'm not the same of the same species as a bug? :confused:

[RedSonja]

Here's an interesting twist, bugs tend to LOVE my husband and not me as much. I used to get bit all the time but not as often when I'm with him. That just THRILLS DH, but it makes me giggle! :D

[jennylane]

i'm going on 4/18 and i really thought bugs were not going to be a problem. we've got horseback scheduled and also the dreaded canopy excursion! so, just when i thought my list was DONE, i just added one more thing to it. i've seen the bug spray/sunblock combos but i think i want them separate, after all i'll hopefully use sunblock more than the bug stuff.

 

i've also heard that bugs are attracted to women, but i've also heard that darker skinned women more than lighter (i'm asian). not sure if that sheds any light on anything, and it might not even be true....

 

hi to you n.california posters, i'm in cupertino, about a half hour south of s.f.

[melika091900]

i'm going on 4/18 and i really thought bugs were not going to be a problem. we've got horseback scheduled and also the dreaded canopy excursion! so, just when i thought my list was DONE, i just added one more thing to it. i've seen the bug spray/sunblock combos but i think i want them separate, after all i'll hopefully use sunblock more than the bug stuff.

 

i've also heard that bugs are attracted to women, but i've also heard that darker skinned women more than lighter (i'm asian). not sure if that sheds any light on anything, and it might not even be true....

 

hi to you n.california posters, i'm in cupertino, about a half hour south of s.f.

 

hey girl

have fun on your cruise... you will love it... im in the bay area too.. hercules/rodeo

check out my pics on the webshots link....

you should drive up and see the star.. shes leaving wednesday i heard..

shes on illinois and 8th in the city.. by PAC bell park.. ( AT * T or whatever ) its worth the drive.. it was nice to see the ship getting all fixed up since we are going on it again in nov..

have a great time, any questions let me know and yes take the bug spray..they ate me alive, im fair skinned ,,, and they loved me

maybe it was my TOmmy girl perfume :p

[Treven]

I'd mentioned before, you can take a Bounce dryer sheet when you go out into the "wilderness". Skeeters & other biting insects evidently they don't like the smell.

I've gone on two horseriding excursions from Puerto Vallarta & have never been bitten, thanks to Bounce.

[jennylane]

my husband is about ready to have me committed. i just added bounce to the pile of things to pack, and added bug spray to my list of things i need to buy. he doesnt quite get it, he looks at the ship like a floating hotel, and i dont think he quite understands that we cant run to walgreens or target to pick up the things we've forgotten. i'd rather have a bunch of stuff i dont use than wish i'd have brought that one thing i was wondering about.

 

i DID look at your pictures....they were great! i looked at the pics from the cruise too. i think i posted over on the other thread where you talked about the pictures to begin with. at that time i didnt realize you lived so close tho. my sister lives up in south san francisco and i have to go see her tomorrow so i think i'll take a quick detour and see the ship too :)

[ladycaveat]

I'd mentioned before, you can take a Bounce dryer sheet when you go out into the "wilderness". Skeeters & other biting insects evidently they don't like the smell.

I've gone on two horseriding excursions from Puerto Vallarta & have never been bitten, thanks to Bounce.

 

Where do you put the sheets of Bounce? Sounds good to me!

[Treven]

If your pants/shorts have belt loops, simply tie a sheet to a belt loop. If not, stick one partially in one of your pockets. At the end of the excursion, you'll end up smelling like a load of freshly dried laundry. :-)