Comments on: New Zealand’s Darkest, Bloodiest Secret: The Sandfly http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2012/02/new-zealands-darkest-bloodiest-secret-the-sandfly/ Just another blogs.smithsonianmag.com site Sun, 12 May 2013 14:12:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Glenda Lee http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2012/02/new-zealands-darkest-bloodiest-secret-the-sandfly/#comment-325 Glenda Lee Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:04:46 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=1355#comment-325 Not only does the West Coast have a few sandflies but did you know we have - One of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world ranked in the top 10 by lonely planet - Two spectacular Glaciers fox & Franz Josef - Pancake Rocks & Blow Holes - 5 National Parks with awesome walks & tramps - Lush Rain Forests, secluded beautiful beaches & wildlife - Top quality Accommodation & Eating - Glow Worms & caving opportunities Our wonderful region is spectacular with much more than most go to www.westcoastnz.com for more information come visit us some day :) Not only does the West Coast have a few sandflies but did you know we have
- One of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world ranked in the top 10 by lonely planet
- Two spectacular Glaciers fox & Franz Josef
- Pancake Rocks & Blow Holes
- 5 National Parks with awesome walks & tramps
- Lush Rain Forests, secluded beautiful beaches & wildlife
- Top quality Accommodation & Eating
- Glow Worms & caving opportunities
Our wonderful region is spectacular with much more than most go to http://www.westcoastnz.com for more information come visit us some day :)

]]> By: Becky Cashman http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2012/02/new-zealands-darkest-bloodiest-secret-the-sandfly/#comment-323 Becky Cashman Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:51:24 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=1355#comment-323 I'd also like to comment on another reality of West Coast living, especially with children. Few parents relish the idea of putting a chemical repellent on their children EVERY DAY! Many families use Goodbye Sandfly which is a 100% plant oil based repellent. I’d also like to comment on another reality of West Coast living, especially with children. Few parents relish the idea of putting a chemical repellent on their children EVERY DAY! Many families use Goodbye Sandfly which is a 100% plant oil based repellent.

]]> By: Becky Cashman http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2012/02/new-zealands-darkest-bloodiest-secret-the-sandfly/#comment-318 Becky Cashman Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:59:56 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=1355#comment-318 I'm one of the "natives" of West Coast, NZ. I'm American and lived on the West Coast for 5 years, complete with two small children. It's true, locals do know how to deal with the sandflies. Aside from the fact that most locals don't react as badly to bites, they know how to dress for the environment, and a few tricks to keep them at bay. Clothes are key- don't wear sandals if you want to sit down on the track to listen to the birds- staying lightly covered long pants and long shirt will make a huge difference. The tricks?- keep gently on the move, sandflies are very slow- you can easily outwalk them. Wait for sunset- thankfully they like their sleep as much as we do. I’m one of the “natives” of West Coast, NZ. I’m American and lived on the West Coast for 5 years, complete with two small children. It’s true, locals do know how to deal with the sandflies. Aside from the fact that most locals don’t react as badly to bites, they know how to dress for the environment, and a few tricks to keep them at bay. Clothes are key- don’t wear sandals if you want to sit down on the track to listen to the birds- staying lightly covered long pants and long shirt will make a huge difference. The tricks?- keep gently on the move, sandflies are very slow- you can easily outwalk them. Wait for sunset- thankfully they like their sleep as much as we do.

]]> By: sparcboy http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2012/02/new-zealands-darkest-bloodiest-secret-the-sandfly/#comment-310 sparcboy Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:42:42 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=1355#comment-310 The Karawanka Indians of the American Gulf Coast covered themselves in alligator grease to stop mosquitoes. (Please let me know if you think they're might be a market for alligator grease in New Zealand.) The Karawanka Indians of the American Gulf Coast covered themselves in alligator grease to stop mosquitoes. (Please let me know if you think they’re might be a market for alligator grease in New Zealand.)

]]> By: Wilson http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2012/02/new-zealands-darkest-bloodiest-secret-the-sandfly/#comment-304 Wilson Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:07:57 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=1355#comment-304 Gads what a beautiful place! Wasn't sure where NZ was so looked it up on Google images. Love this website. This is another amazing article that got me thinking. How in the world can the natives 'sit in the grass reading a book'? Could a child get swarmed while walking home from school? Can natives develop an allergy to the bites? If so, then do what, move? If the natives aren't bothered then why? How? These bugs aren't like wasps, that can be simply avoided, they literally look at people as being their food. They don't sound like mosquitoes that can be stopped by a little smelly hand lotion. This story is really huge. I cannot stop wondering about this. Researchers should live with the natives and study the whole thing. Gads what a beautiful place! Wasn’t sure where NZ was so looked it up on Google images.

Love this website. This is another amazing article that got me thinking. How in the world can the natives ‘sit in the grass reading a book’? Could a child get swarmed while walking home from school? Can natives develop an allergy to the bites? If so, then do what, move? If the natives aren’t bothered then why? How? These bugs aren’t like wasps, that can be simply avoided, they literally look at people as being their food. They don’t sound like mosquitoes that can be stopped by a little smelly hand lotion. This story is really huge. I cannot stop wondering about this. Researchers should live with the natives and study the whole thing.

]]> By: judi anderson http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2012/02/new-zealands-darkest-bloodiest-secret-the-sandfly/#comment-302 judi anderson Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:50:04 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=1355#comment-302 Alastair: I really enjoyed your article. Love your writing style. Must tell you your fears of DEET are the subject of Urban Legends. The American Academy of Pediatrics since 2003 has suggested that one may apply DEET-based repellents on infants as young as two months of age in concentrations up to 30%. (Higher concentrations can be used in situations where serious diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes. Concentration gives an indication of DURATION. A lower concentration product can be used an reapplied as needed.] There are plenty of other experts who agree that when used according to label directions, these products can be used with confidence. Kindly consider removing the link you have posted as the information is very outdated and mostly inaccurate at best. The CDC website in the US has reliable, accurate information. www.cdc.gov. Or you could send people to www.deetonline.org for details. (See the "what experts say" information.) I work for the DEET Education Program, Washington, DC. We have tons of science-based information on DEET and other types of repellents. We welcome all inquiries, especially the tough ones. Wishing you good luck with the sandflies. Until I read your article, we were eager to visit New Zealand...now maybe not so much! Alastair: I really enjoyed your article. Love your writing style. Must tell you your fears of DEET are the subject of Urban Legends. The American Academy of Pediatrics since 2003 has suggested that one may apply DEET-based repellents on infants as young as two months of age in concentrations up to 30%. (Higher concentrations can be used in situations where serious diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes. Concentration gives an indication of DURATION. A lower concentration product can be used an reapplied as needed.] There are plenty of other experts who agree that when used according to label directions, these products can be used with confidence. Kindly consider removing the link you have posted as the information is very outdated and mostly inaccurate at best. The CDC website in the US has reliable, accurate information. http://www.cdc.gov. Or you could send people to http://www.deetonline.org for details. (See the “what experts say” information.) I work for the DEET Education Program, Washington, DC. We have tons of science-based information on DEET and other types of repellents. We welcome all inquiries, especially the tough ones. Wishing you good luck with the sandflies. Until I read your article, we were eager to visit New Zealand…now maybe not so much!

]]> By: Kelly Good http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2012/02/new-zealands-darkest-bloodiest-secret-the-sandfly/#comment-301 Kelly Good Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:35:55 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=1355#comment-301 Alastair, You are right they are certainly NZs best kept secret and unfortunately there always seem to be some that get through...but to stop the itching you can't go past Click that Itch!! Best treatment for any insect bite to stop the itching and reduce the swelling - chemical free and works by emitting a small charge through the bite to wash away the histamine that causes the reaction!!! no battery and no mess! Give it a go! BTW I have tried the beer theory but in my recent reading I think it is more the lack of awareness of them biting you that protects you for the next few hours only :) Alastair,

You are right they are certainly NZs best kept secret and unfortunately there always seem to be some that get through…but to stop the itching you can’t go past Click that Itch!! Best treatment for any insect bite to stop the itching and reduce the swelling – chemical free and works by emitting a small charge through the bite to wash away the histamine that causes the reaction!!! no battery and no mess! Give it a go!

BTW I have tried the beer theory but in my recent reading I think it is more the lack of awareness of them biting you that protects you for the next few hours only :)

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