Let’s Visit Asia

Avoiding Sandfly Stings

by Ruth on January 4th, 2008

So how do you avoid getting feasted on by sandflies? Here are some tips for avoiding insect stings:

1. Wear protective clothing — long sleeved shirts and pants and hats.
2. Ask your hotel/resort management if they can provide mosquito nets to protect you during your sleep.
3. Use insecticides, mosquito repellents or one of those plug-in insect zappers
4. Apply insect repellents lotion directly on the skin.
5. Avoid venturing out on the beach at night, or after the wind has died down.

But probably the best tip I found came from the Sibu Resort FAQ:

Oil is the answer to the Sandfly. Repellants, no matter what they may claim, really seem to have no effect. Oil stops them completely. It is irrelevant what oil, cooking, baby, etc., but we recommend sun oil to avoid being cooked. Do not substitute it for your regular sun lotion simply put it on over the top. The best tip in the world for Sandflies is to buy a bottle of spray on tanning oil, pour a little out and add a small bottle of Tee Tree Oil and a few drops of liquid disinfectant (e.g. Dettol). Spray this on and no sand fly will touch you! The recipe comes from Australia, where they really know about sand fly problems, and is known as bush oil over there.

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POSTED IN: Beaches in Asia, Travel Tips, Uncategorized