I’ve been living a horror story for months. I have had a rash which did not correspond to any ideas the dermatologist could come up with (his explanations were “bedbugs”or “bedbugs” or” bedbugs”. The only problem was that I have been getting these “lesions” when I was not in bed, besides the fact that I fumigated the apartment against bedbugs, and I have not seen one.
I’ve been able to relieve the itch with Four Thieves oil and with Strivectin, but I have not come up with anything that would make it not happen to start with.
I decided that there were some kind of bugs around (I am raw vegan, and I have done several internal cleanses to make sure that I had no internal business going on), so I went to the hardware store to find some kind of insecticide. I ran into a man who was talking about “no see ums” – we had them by the beach, but I had not thought that they could be in a city like New York (okay, so, we are, duh, by the beach, all around, but who’d'a’ thunk it — I mean, big city and all)…. fast forward… I read up on no-see-ums and found a suggestion to cover all exposed skin with baby oil.
After my yoga class that night, (I needed a shower badly), I passed by the drugstore and picked up some Johnson’s baby oil. After I had showered, I slathered the baby oil on all of my skin below my face (it was tricky getting it onto my back)
After the first 5 hours, I had not gotten any new itchy bumps (for the first time). Was it that baby oil helped my skin or that I had been getting bitten and the biters did not like baby oil??? I did not know.
I kept applying the baby oil when I was at my computer – where I noticed the problem.
The other day, in my class, I felt like I was getting bitten by invisible things, and one of my students kept swatting at her arms, as well, so I decided to carry baby oil with me.
Today, I noticed that I was getting that bitten feeling again, even though I had never experienced it in that classroom (my school is moving, so things are in an upheaval), so I nonchalantly whipped out my bottle of baby oil and started massaging it into my arms and shoulders (I was wearing a sleeveless sweater) Okay, so the students probably thought I was weird. The biting feeling stopped immediately.
How does that old Monkees song go? I’M A BELIEVER!!!!!!!!!
Now, I can confidently suggest that you try baby oil as a repellant to “no-see-ums”
14 responses so far ↓
Lynn // August 20, 2008 at 2:29 am |
I’ve had terrible no see-um bites and my brother told me he discovered this in Mexico—he tried rubbing a *fresh lime wedge* all over the itchy part of his leg (or arm) and like magic! the itch goes away. I’ve tried expensive topical 2 % solution creams and this fresh lime solution really does the job!
Bookmarks about Smart // September 14, 2008 at 8:15 pm |
[...] – bookmarked by 1 members originally found by mbrogers on 2008-09-01 Repelling No-See-Ums http://prettysmartnaturalideas.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/repelling-no-see-ums/ – bookmarked by 4 [...]
Jan Forte // September 16, 2008 at 11:57 pm |
I live on the inner bay in Delaware and I can’t even take my dog for a 15 minute walk without getting bit at least 3 or 4 times. They itch terribly and then leave sores and some times swell up. I am trying to find how to stop them from picking me to bite. Some people are not bothered by them but they eat me up. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks, Jan
Susan // September 18, 2008 at 5:24 am |
I have been having a horrible problem with no-seeums in my home for 10 years. I know that sounds ridiculous but they have been biting me a lot. I have tried cleaning up my place and putting Lysol on my counters and still I am being bitten. The pest control people say that they have no idea what I’m talking about. If anyone has an answer on how to get rid of these bugs, please let me know. My mother and father have felt them in my home too. I live in a condo and have no money to move. Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Deb // October 15, 2008 at 4:38 pm |
I have this same problem and it starteed after I took home a plant from my Mothers funeral.(which I threw out!) Ill try the baby oil..Ill try anything at this point, but my question is this…Do you have the itching in you hair and on your face too? It feels like a bug is crawling on my hair, behind my ears and touching my face. Have you heard how to rid them from your home? Mine are around my cumputer also. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank You!
Jeannie // October 20, 2008 at 5:54 pm |
I live in NYC as well. Since July, I have been bitten apparently by some kind of insect, but I have never seen a thing. I still think it might be bed bugs, since my next door neighbor had them, they’re in my building generally, and there’s an epidemic. The exterminator has come 3 times, and each time he comes, I get bitten worse. Since there’s no blood and no sign of bed bugs, people are beginning to think I’m crazy. But, 3 other people have been bitten in my apartment, plus my dog once after the exterminator fumigated. My clothes are all washed an dried with high heat. Within minutes or a few hours of putting them on, a get the same burning itchy feeling. I’ve covered myself with essential oil of thyme, which might help a little. I’ve now bombed my apartment with cedar oil, but the biting continues. Does anyone have any suggestions? I’m desperate. Thanks.
Gee // January 8, 2009 at 12:45 pm |
If you can’t see what’s biting you, it’s probably NOSEEUMS. I live one block from the ocean (where they love to hang out) and I’ve tried everything mentioned on the Web. What seems to be working is: 1) a combination of lotions/powders containing Lavender (they hate this), 2) A vinegar solution (1/2 part vinegar + 1/2 part water) in a spray bottle — spray your sheets about one hour before bedtime and 3) Wind: Since I read they are weak flyers, I keep a fan going at low-speed while I sleep. These things had nearly driven me crazy and I cannot understand why none of the media have picked up on a story about this pest. God Bless all.
Steve S. // January 25, 2009 at 3:57 pm |
I live in North Dallas and am bothered by no see um biting bugs. It has been going on since September. It has gotten so bad that I wear a shower cap to bed. I look rediculous but it allows me to get to sleep until 5:45 a.m. when they seem to swarm and wake me up. Like one of the writers before they congregate at my computor since I spend a lot of time there. I’ve been to see a dermatologist who has no idea what I’m talking about. I keep waiting for cold weather to kill them, but we haven’t had any long spells below freezing. Last year I experienced symptoms on my hair for a few months and thought I had lice. I got a marine haircut and that combined with some cold weather got rid of the problem. Then in September it came back with a vengeance and as I write this in January there is no relief. My wife who sleeps in the same bed has never experienced a problem and I think she secretly thinks I’m nuts. I’ve tried aerosol bombs and spraying without positive results. I know I have dry, oversensitive skin but this is crazy. I appreciate any help or sharing
Stephen // February 13, 2009 at 1:21 pm |
I’ve got the No seeums. Some socks I put on and I get a terrible vibrating sensation, knowing they’re there, and when they start biting, I throw them out. Maybe with global warming these things will take over the world?
MONICA // April 28, 2009 at 1:46 am |
I came from Sweden to Florida for vacation , to the Keys. Everything was wonderful, until one nite something attacked me , later I found out that was noseeums. And after some days I counted the bites ,,,,,,,,,,, beliave me or not …..480………and they do ich a lot…… I am used to moskitos at home ,,,,, but these where something much worse. I had a dream to go back home tan and pretty, but the result is red and ugly! Well, there are worse things happening in the world ……….but this was a weard experience!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Parker // May 19, 2009 at 4:41 pm |
Noseeums are throughout this country. They like water (moisture for larvae), dirt and grasses(nesting place), bushes and trees (another word for the human head) to live out the short but prolific life cycle. They are called no-see-ums because they are so small you can’t see ‘um unless you focus on one that has landed. (I’m not surprised to hear that Drs don’t have a clue). Some folks have very little problem with noseeum bites – only the females bite for blood, for food for her larvae – and some folks have horrible problems with allergic reactions to the bites. What I’ve learned is different body chemistries attract insects more than others (my husband, too, is the target for insects while I remain virtually untouched). However, I am too sensitive for chemical repellents so finding *remedies* has been quite a process. So, here is what works for us – citonella candles (especially at doorways) and MosquitoBarrier(.com) for our yard, and Dr. Mercola(.com) Bug Off (for humans and dogs). I’ve heard that baby oils, lavendar lotions and vanilla(s) work, too, which makes sense as repellent seems to be the key. And even tho you might smell like a bouquet for a while, once the repellents have been *in place* for a few days, insects will be noticeably less pesty. Good Luck!
Lisa Parker // May 19, 2009 at 4:51 pm |
…just thought some of you would find this article interesting – and, *yes*, I live in Arizona where noseeums, etc, are real problems..
http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/noseeums.html
david loar // May 27, 2009 at 2:20 pm |
I was at lake powell camping in utah and started getting bitten immediatly there and now it continues at home in colorado.I believe they are midges that bite to get blood for reproduction. I too get an itchy crawly feeling on my skin many times a day. Going to try baby oil and lavender.
Kartasik // June 20, 2009 at 6:44 am |
I once read a site where a man who had battled them for years finally admitted that they were God. Having battled them for 15 years I agree.
I used all kinds of stuff but they just evolved around them. Take Garlic. Yeah that knocks out most of them, but the 2% that force their way past it will live to breed a super batch of babies that eat garlic for lunch. This evolving factor took place for lemon and pure vinger too. My cans of Buzz Away worked at first but after a month it was like a scent that merely told the bugs which room I was hiding in. I think the citronella in it became a kind of food for them.
The bottom line is this: anything that does not kill them outright ends up allowed one or two bugs through. These super bugs then breed a whole new population, and after a few more generations your halfway measures merely end up breeding a super population.
Only things that kill outright or that block them with a mass of atoms like solid walls and airtight rubber sealed doors with absolutely no cracks is going to stop them.
Baby oil is just mineral oil and it is really not good for your health and can stain clothing – and boys should remember that Lavender is a gender bender that absorbs through your skin.
When it was super cold here last winter I still had them – likely breeding in the walls from condensation pools. Not sure. But what I found worked was to buy 5 large spot lights like construction sites use (brand was Commercial Electric), and I slept like a baby under 3000 watts of light from all directions wearing a thick blindfold. Got a slight tan too. But these lights raised heated the room to 88 degrees with the heater in the room shut off and the air outdoors at zero to 6 degrees. The little monsters were just too small to withstand bright light that likely heated them up past their survival zone. However this is too hot to use when its warm outside. (note: the lamps should be at least 4 feet away from the bed as touching them can leave a bad burn) The noseeums never did find a way to evolve around the 3000 watts of light.