Sand Flies and Mossies ---take your own supplies

Linda P · Post by **Linda P** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:22 am

Thanks for the advice re ducks Gill, We have five pet ducks in our garden at home, so are halfway to the solution, my question for everyone is do my ducks need a passport so I can take them on holiday with me in less than three weeks time?

Linda

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 6:57 am

Linda,you take a duck out with you and it will soon be pot duck

David

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:15 am

Linda P wrote:my question for everyone is do my ducks need a passport so I can take them on holiday with me in less than three weeks time?

Hi Jill

The English cricket team are expert on ducks, so you might want to ask them.

For those of you interested - I found this on the BBC website - Stick with this because there is a moral to the tale.

The Blandford fly isn't controlled by a chemical pesticide, but a biological insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (or Bti for short). Bti is a naturally occurring bacterium which produces spores which, when they are eaten by blackfly larvae, rapidly kill the insects. The spores carry a toxin which destroys the gut walls of Simuliidae (blackflies) and Chironomidae (midges).

It is considered that this use of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis in Blandford is probably the best example of the use of an eco-friendly biological pesticide, anywhere in the world.

Hows about this bit of trivia though......

Blandford-based brewery Badger Beers produce a brew called Blanford Fly (the beer with bite) into which they add ginger during the brewing process.

Ginger is thought to have soothing properties for insect bites because it contains enzymes which breakdown the proteins or peptides which cause itching and swelling, into amino acids by the action of enzymes (clever stuff eh?).

Research has shown that proteolytic enzymes such as zingibain, bromelain (present in pineapple) and papain (present in papaya) have anti-inflammatory properties too.

Conclusion?
If you live on a diet of Ginger beer, pineapple and papaya you may avoid getting bitten - but you won't have many friends

Cheers
Steve

Marc Jones · Post by **Marc Jones** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:40 am

sitting here in castara day 5, savaged by insects. Losing the bite count to the missus who has over 60 bites! Have to say, taking its toll on use enjoyment of this beautiful place.

on here via my trusty nokia looking for help, incantations and hocus pocus cures in the hope peace will break out before we all get even more distracted by the suffering!

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:22 pm

Marc more rum and citronella! Citronella you can get in the vilage,also a local remedy (go or no?),the rum is to be taken internally,the others applied if you feel it.
But seriously do put stuff on ankles and lower legs especially at dusk-we glow like black light to the bxxxxxx,and don't scratch!
Otherwise having a good one?
David

Jane H · Post by **Jane H** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:44 am

Hi Marc,

I know it's probably not environmentally friendly - but we found the best deterent was "Off" spray-on repellent. The stuff we brought from the UK didn't seem to stop the mozzies at all - so when the staff at the Inn on the Bay recommended this stuff we were a bit sceptical to say the least. However - with nothing to lose (we were getting well bitten anyway) we tried it - and it really worked for us.

Hope this helps

Jane

Hugh S · Post by **Hugh S** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:16 am

When you are done experimenting go back to DEET. I tried the others and now look like I have the pox. DEET!

Marc Jones · Post by **Marc Jones** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:22 pm

have located a bottle of off! And spraying it on like a crop duster! Cannot find deet despite clocking up michael palinesque mileage. Desperate for ibroprofen as that worked well on the bites until it ran out, alas none to be found in scarborough (nice pun!), carnbee, canaan or crown point. Any other pharmacies? Will check the site after this post! Totally accept my failure to prepare played a part here, victim to the 25 minute queues in boots at gatwick! Now, about that rum, recommended brand?

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:43 pm

White Oak,it is that smooth

David

Hugh S · Post by **Hugh S** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:57 pm

1919!

Ronald · Post by **Ronald** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:58 pm

Or Agnostura 1824

Hugh S · Post by **Hugh S** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:01 pm

$$$$$$$$ for the 1824. More complex but not as smooooooth as the 1919.

RE Bug spray:

Most types of Off use DEET. Check the label. Marc, did you check Mrs. Dove's pharmacy in Carnbee?

Just got back from Grange Bay, our first swim of the trip! Lots of sweet mangos on the walk home.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:08 pm

Yes, Hugh is quite correct. Off! is our preferred bug spray and the 'normal' cans contain 15% DEET. However, beware of the "Family" pump sprays versions - they only contain 7% DEET. The strength is not an issue. It was explained to me by an 'expert' (can't remember who, only that they were connected with the industry or in a position where they should know) that a 100% DEET won't keep bugs away more than 10% - its just that the 100% will last 10 times longer. We found that the 7% Family versions of Off! and Go! were fine - as long as you sprayed yourself every hour or so. The "full" versions seemed to last 3-4 hours without problem.

Marc Jones · Post by **Marc Jones** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:40 pm

tried mrs dove, only had citronella. Took that. Went back to scar, got some antihis cream and a can of f@?! Off! Sitting here now in the dark smothered in chemicals and 3 carib and 2 stag to the wind. Things feel a little less problematic. Will apply some white oak tomorrow. Been here since last thurs and still not had any rum. Shocking.

Jane H · Post by **Jane H** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:36 am

Hi Marc,

If you take anti-histamine tablets (Piriton, Clarityn etc,) you may find that any bites you get itch a lot less; the "one a day" versions seem to work as well as any, and you can still enjoy the rum, Carib or whatever is your chosen relaxent!

Jane

PS Apart from the insect life - hope you're having a great time!