This is the tropics and bugs are an issue. I avoid the beach at dusk and dawn and use Off (or whatever) on my feet and legs before going out in the evening. They are worse after rain and better during the dry, winter season.

The bugs at beaches are usually no-see-ums and at restaurants, around homes etc. are usually mosquitos. Both are around all the time but no-see-ums mostly come out early am, late afternoon and when its been raining so sand is damp. They aren't usually out on the beaches all day. At beaches with salt ponds nearby the no-see-ums and mosquito populations tend to be greater. As LindaJ mentioned mosquito populations are greater several days/weeks after we get a lot of rain, they breed in stagnant water.

It has been raining a little on St. Thomas but not much, haven't noticed the mosquitos being any greater in number, pretty normal. You should still take some precautions as mosquitos bites can be itchy and annoying; use some repellent on legs and ankles if you are going to be sitting outside in the evening.

Have a great (bug-free) trip! 😉

--Islander

I hear those personal ones with the little fans (OFF I think makes them) are great. You can put them near you - not on you.

Pamela

I've never seen the off thing with the fan? Is this available on STT or would I have to bring this with me? If it is available on the island, do you know where?

I've seen it at Cost U Less but not today. Try googling OFF - I may be wrong about the maker. Maybe Repel?

They're an OFF product but I haven't seen them here although that's not something I usually look for as I'm well-seasoned to the island critters! If anywhere they would probably be at CostULess, as Pam said, or at Plaza Extra. On various travel forums I haven't seen any reports of people using them so no feedback is to hand.

The caveat here is that even though you may not have a problem with mossies where you live, different places have different species! I learned that lesson many years ago when I first went to to Vieques for a long weekend. Seasoned and pretty much immune to the VI mossies, those in Vieques totally terrorized me and there was a photo taken at the airport of my legs all swollen and punctured which for some years was a reminder that not all mossies are born equal. :X

The various OFF and similar products work well for most people and, as Islander noted, we've not had any major rain here of late so the bugs aren't running rampant as they tend to be for short periods after very heavy rainfalls. I tend to tell visitors to be as heavy-handed with the bug repellents as you are (or should be) with the sunscreens. We don't want your pale skin to be glowing bright burning red and we don't want to see you suffering from punctured and itching skin. Cheers!

Ok, I looked it up. I found one on Off's website. It says to clip it to you, yet it's warns that it's dangerous to get the product on your skin, eyes, clothes or to breath it in. That's odd, how could you avoid contact if it's attached to you and blowing all around you. It's probably not all that dangerous or they wouldn't be selling it. It may not work for noseeums because it says it repels mosquitos only, not all bugs. It's Metofluthrin not Deet. Probably too much information, but I thought I'd share what I found.

Bug bite and sunburn prevention is an important part of my standard pre-vacation routine.

My mother, still after all these years, asks me what perfume I like for Christmas. I tell her anything containing a Maximum amount of DEET!

Pamela