Belize and insects

I've heard that insects are a problem ... what kind? I'm going in 2 weeks, anything to worry about? Do I need to pack mosquito repellent or ?

Lots of mosquitos in areas that are hospitable to them and malaria can be a
problem. I would check with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta about
that.

Jeanne
"JS" <reevecg@hotmail.com> wrote in message
newsyMyb.4089$yd.603774@news20.bellglobal.com...
I've heard that insects are a problem ... what kind? I'm going in 2 weeks,
anything to worry about? Do I need to pack mosquito repellent or ?

"chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote in message
news:ujPyb.541991$9l5.369629@pd7tw2no...
>
> "JS" <reevecg@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> newsyMyb.4089$yd.603774@news20.bellglobal.com...
> I've heard that insects are a problem ... what kind? I'm going in 2
weeks,
> anything to worry about? Do I need to pack mosquito repellent or ?
>
> Where in Belize are you going? Where you will be determines the level of
> concern.
>
> Definitely pack mosquito repellent. I take "Deep Woods Off" in the small
> pump bottle. 95% DEET. Wash your hands immediately after using.

Ah, JS, I just remembered, you are going to Victoria House, yes?

You will probably still need repellent. When the breeze is up off the ocean
and you are sitting around near shore at Victoria House, it shouldn't be too
bad. Even in these conditions, however, you may find yourselves being
bothered by the sand flies. These are little black biting insects, that
sometimes you won't even see until you have the incredibly itchy red welts.

I always liberally douse my feet, ankles and lower legs with the Deep Woods
Off, but merely lightly brush my arms and neck, unless I am going to be in a
mosquito area. If you are going down the road south, to site-see or north
to town or will be anywhere near the lagoon side at any time, make sure you
at least have it with you so that you can apply it.

I always keep it in a ziplock baggy because it does tend to melt things,
like varnish on furniture and nailpolish off of toes. Yes, it is powerful
stuff but worth it. The percentage of DEET is said to only deal with
effective time and that anything over 50% is overkill. From my perspective,
I'd rather have a little overkill than be eaten alive.

You know what I use, but friends of mine have used everything from
Citronella to 20% DEET and really suffered, while with regular application
of the Deep Woods Off, I've rarely suffered.

If you get too eaten despite taking precautions, a couple of shots of liquid
Benadryl and some cortizone cream will help. I usually take a small bottle
and a little tube down with me, just in case but you can easily buy it at
the pharmacy while there.




>
>

Thanks for the info Chilly, Yes, we're going to Victoria House - based on
your recommendation! We're looking forward to it, but my wife is now
freaking about the critters.



"chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote in message
news:7rPyb.538301$pl3.344017@pd7tw3no...
>
> "chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote in message
> news:ujPyb.541991$9l5.369629@pd7tw2no...
> >
> > "JS" <reevecg@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > newsyMyb.4089$yd.603774@news20.bellglobal.com...
> > I've heard that insects are a problem ... what kind? I'm going in 2
> weeks,
> > anything to worry about? Do I need to pack mosquito repellent or ?
> >
> > Where in Belize are you going? Where you will be determines the level
of
> > concern.
> >
> > Definitely pack mosquito repellent. I take "Deep Woods Off" in the
small
> > pump bottle. 95% DEET. Wash your hands immediately after using.
>
> Ah, JS, I just remembered, you are going to Victoria House, yes?
>
> You will probably still need repellent. When the breeze is up off the
ocean
> and you are sitting around near shore at Victoria House, it shouldn't be
too
> bad. Even in these conditions, however, you may find yourselves being
> bothered by the sand flies. These are little black biting insects, that
> sometimes you won't even see until you have the incredibly itchy red
welts.
>
> I always liberally douse my feet, ankles and lower legs with the Deep
Woods
> Off, but merely lightly brush my arms and neck, unless I am going to be in
a
> mosquito area. If you are going down the road south, to site-see or north
> to town or will be anywhere near the lagoon side at any time, make sure
you
> at least have it with you so that you can apply it.
>
> I always keep it in a ziplock baggy because it does tend to melt things,
> like varnish on furniture and nailpolish off of toes. Yes, it is powerful
> stuff but worth it. The percentage of DEET is said to only deal with
> effective time and that anything over 50% is overkill. From my
perspective,
> I'd rather have a little overkill than be eaten alive.
>
> You know what I use, but friends of mine have used everything from
> Citronella to 20% DEET and really suffered, while with regular application
> of the Deep Woods Off, I've rarely suffered.
>
> If you get too eaten despite taking precautions, a couple of shots of
liquid
> Benadryl and some cortizone cream will help. I usually take a small
bottle
> and a little tube down with me, just in case but you can easily buy it at
> the pharmacy while there.
>
>
>
>
> >
> >
>
>

"Robert "Doc" Adelman, C.I.D." <lawyers-guns-money@att.net> wrote in message
news:ykVyb.372728$0v4.19437669@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
>
> Benadryl capsules or the much cheaper WalMart Equate brand and similar
> Equate brand gel/ointment is advisable.
>
> Injections are a bit radical as a primary remedy.

LOL! Doc, I meant "shots" like shots of tequila, not shots from a needle.

YES!!! I just got back from Ambergris caye the diving is amazing but once the
sun goes down the bugs start bitin'!!!! I brought 100% DEET and some OFF..
that should do it...

"chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote
>
> "Robert "Doc" Adelman, C.I.D." <lawyers-guns-money@att.net>
> > Benadryl capsules or the much cheaper WalMart Equate brand and similar
> > Equate brand gel/ointment is advisable.
> >
> > Injections are a bit radical as a primary remedy.
>
> LOL! Doc, I meant "shots" like shots of tequila, not shots from a needle.

There you are, and you have snickered at my suggestions before! Mix the DEET
with Flor de Cana Rum. Shaken, not stirred.

Muy Bueno.

Doc.

"JS" <reevecg@hotmail.com> wrote in message
newsk5zb.5825$zf2.856850@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> Their plan is Breakfast and Dinner. Isn't it a hassle "having" to go to
> town for a meal though?

Not if you have a golf cart. Also, you can get a cab if you don't have a
cart. It's not all that far into town and there are also some restaurants
closer to you than that. It is my opinion that you will really be cheating
yourselves if you don't get out to a few other places for dinner. I think
it would be a hassle to go into town for breakfast and maybe lunch. But not
dinner. Going out to dinner in San Pedro is all part and parcel of its
charm. I wouldn't miss that if I were you.

Also...someone just told me that I may need
> Hepatitis shots or ??? when going to Belize, Costa Rica etc.

Hmm, well, it is my opinion that everyone should have their hepatitis shots,
whether traveling or not, but most certainly when travelling. I'm not sure
that you have time now, to get in the full series but I think some is better
than none. Get to the health clinic right away.

I'm not trying to scare you, but it is a concern.

I'm on it...thanks for all the info...btw, what's the deal with golf
carts...rental / day?


"chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote in message
news:h_5zb.544639$pl3.170884@pd7tw3no...
>
> "JS" <reevecg@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> newsk5zb.5825$zf2.856850@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> > Their plan is Breakfast and Dinner. Isn't it a hassle "having" to go
to
> > town for a meal though?
>
> Not if you have a golf cart. Also, you can get a cab if you don't have a
> cart. It's not all that far into town and there are also some restaurants
> closer to you than that. It is my opinion that you will really be
cheating
> yourselves if you don't get out to a few other places for dinner. I think
> it would be a hassle to go into town for breakfast and maybe lunch. But
not
> dinner. Going out to dinner in San Pedro is all part and parcel of its
> charm. I wouldn't miss that if I were you.
>
> Also...someone just told me that I may need
> > Hepatitis shots or ??? when going to Belize, Costa Rica etc.
>
> Hmm, well, it is my opinion that everyone should have their hepatitis
shots,
> whether traveling or not, but most certainly when travelling. I'm not
sure
> that you have time now, to get in the full series but I think some is
better
> than none. Get to the health clinic right away.
>
> I'm not trying to scare you, but it is a concern.
>
>
>

"JS" <reevecg@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0m8zb.6215$zf2.904738@news20.bellglobal.com.. .
> I'm on it...thanks for all the info...btw, what's the deal with golf
> carts...rental / day?

Deal? What do you mean? Do you mean where can you get the best deal? I'm
afraid I'm not the best one to advise you in this regard. I don't normally
rent one for more than a day or two, here and there, so I can go up island
and down, touring around.

My recommendation to you, is relax when you first arrive. Hang out at the
hotel for a couple of days, go diving, get your bearings. Take a cab into
town an evening or two. Then after you've been hanging around for a few
days, figure out whether or not you really need a golf cart every day, all
day. I'll bet that you don't.

Cabs are very inexpensive, so you can get a cab from your hotel into town to
whatever restaurant you want, and then wander around over to Fidos,
Cannibals, Shark's Bar, Jaguar's, or BC's for an after-dinner drink, and
then when you are ready, get a cab back to your hotel. It'll cost you all
of $10/20 round trip, which is quite a bit less than having the cart at your
disposal all the day every day.

On the days that you want to tour around or go on a pub crawl, rent the cart
for the day or afternoon.

When I do rent my cart, I get it from Cholo's. You'll want to talk to the
concierge (or equivalent) at Victoria House. There are some cart rental
places that drop off and pick up for you and so you wouldn't have to worry
about getting to the cart place and back.