Lesson Number 1 – The sun is hot and sunlight reflects off of the water and white sand. Don’t try to get your tan all at once on the first day, you will get burned and your tan will peel just about the time you go home. Use sun screen, apply it regularly throughout the day.
Lesson Number 2: Bahamas Insects Bite – With some minor preparation, the local insects won’t interfere with your fun on Andros Island. Andros is home to three species of carnivorous insects – mosquitoes, sand flies (no-see-ums) and doctor flies (green headed horse flies).
Mosquitoes on Andros are like mosquitoes everywhere, they come out as the sun goes down and stay out until it comes back up again. Best protection is a covering of clothing and insect repellent on exposed areas. Some people have very little reaction to mosquito bites and others get nasty red welts that last for days. You know which category you fall in so plan accordingly.
Sandfly – Sandfly is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking Dipteran encountered in sandy areas and they generally appear just before dark and just after daylight. Like mosquitoes bites, people react differently to sandfly bites – some will develop welts and others will hardly notice the bite. Again the best protection is clothing and insect repellent.
Doctor Flies – The peak season for doctor flies is April through June with another hatch in the fall and they are pretty much non-existent in the winter months. Doctor flies generally attack from the waist down and on your hands and only in the daylight. They can bite through clothing and are attracted by dark colors and less likely to bite through light colors. Good repellents are Avon Skin so Soft products or anything insect repellent with deet.
Treating the insect bites – The treatment for all of these pests is similar – The antihistamine Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)in both tablet and lotion form seems to work best although there are many anti-itch medicines available. Best advice is to use repellents and avoid being attacked but come prepared just in case. The Yardley House property is fogged for insects on a regular basis but they will find you on your adventures.
The Fresh Creek Adventures Octagon property is fogged for insects on a regular basis and with proper planning and preparation it is fairly easy to avoid being dinner as you explore Andros Island.