[justin.g.s]

considering the prevalence of flying biting bugs (weta exluded)
I have been looking into mosquito abatement and traps.

In the U.S there are a few top end models @$400-$600. a pop that will rid mosquitos up to an area of near a 1/2 acre.

The,"mosquito deleto" uses propane to release carbon dioxide-what we breath out- coupled with small amounts of heat. This device sits near a vacuum that you keep plugged in 24/7.

Bugs think they see a warm human, fly by for a quick bite,and get sucked up :clap

Anything like this in N.Z. They make cheaper models $150 U.S but they require replacement parts every 2 months or so. I would rather have the vacuum type as it appears to be highly effective.

[bliksembokkie]

I had to laugh at you.....the mozzies in Aotearoa are not that bad!! we live in the warmest town, Kaitaia, and I do not know of anyone who uses any form of mozzie repellant. The only exception is when camping in the open when citranella is the best. Sandflies are also only a problem near the beach, and if you don't use a common-or-garden variety insect repellent!
Bliksembokkie

[Dianne42]

I was recommended Avon's Woodland Skin So Soft, and it seems to work a treat. I think it contains citronella as a main ingredient? And it's much cheaper than the oodgimiflopsit gadet! :laugh

[Raeven]

Hi, justin,

I've never seen a Mosquito-Deleto, but I think I have to have one -- if only to explain to other people what it is:

Unsuspecting visitor: "What's THAT??"

Me, smugly: "Oh, that's our Mosquito-Deleto."

Unsuspecting visitor: "What the...?"

I must admit to being a total bug wuss. I hate flying, sucking, biting, stinging, crawling critters. I can live with most everything else about NZ, but the bug situation has me worried. Spiders don't much bother me as they are essentially reclusive and eat lots of other nasty insects. But ticks, mosquitos, centipedes, cockroaches and sandflies are high on my list of Things to Obliterate from the Face of the Planet.

An insider tip to fellow forum members: Buy Avon stock. My supply of Skin So Soft will tip the balance in your favor!!

Would love to hear bug experiences of those already in NZ, so I know what to expect. Really. Go ahead; curl my toes.

Already shuddering, Rae

[coastcat]

Skin So Soft just doesn't cut it, not when I'm listed as a 3-star restaurant in the insect world's Michelin guide. Deep Woods Off slows them down a bit. However, the last time I used it, I sprayed my legs and arms quite thoroughly. No bug bites there! Instead, they bit my (completely clothing-covered) stomach and hip.

I hate biting bugs.

[veronica]

Not many NZers coming up with sand fly stories. I dont think they are to bad in the north Island and they aren't a problem in the east coast of the south Island but boy do they like to live on the West coast around Milford Sound. while its not a place many would choose to reside in its a place many of you may visit so be aware. They bite like fury to the extent that a friend who used to work there used to have to wear a hat with a veil and be completely covered up at certain times of the year.

[bliksembokkie]

My main motivation for coming to New Zealand was its relative lack of creapy crawlies, and I have not been disappointed. I have yet to see cockcroaches or centipedes, or ticks for that matter. The only things that drive me round the bend are blowflies when I cook cabbage! So take heart, this land is relatively bug free.
Bliksembokkie

[coastcat]

What are blowflies? I cook a lot of Asian veggies related to cabbage...

[bliksembokkie]

Relax....
they're just big noisy houseflies!

[Michelle and Richard]

Skin so soft is great, go for the layering, shower in it, moisturise with it and top up with the dry oil. Must be the woodland fresh version though. If it can fight the bugs in the Dominican Republic it must be good.

Worse thing in NZ is ants EVERYWHERE.

Michelle

[Raeven]

One of the first promises I extracted from my husband upon our decision to move to NZ was to add fly screens to all the windows and doors of our home, wherever we end up. They're not widely used in NZ, although more and more they seem to be catching on.

Li'l business idea for someone there. :nice1

Ants? ANTS?? Michelle, are they grease ants or sugar ants or both? Or some variety I don't even know about yet? Do they come into your house? Icky, icky, icky!!! Bring on the diazenon crystals!!

Rae

[Dianne42]

Skin so soft is great, go for the layering, shower in it, moisturise with it and top up with the dry oil. Must be the woodland fresh version though.

That's what I do, Michelle - I have just about everythign they make from the spray to the moisturiser and shower gel! Works though.

The very best thing I have ever used, though, is DEET. It is super strong (can melt plastic) and not the most pleasant smellign stuff, but if you need a top quality repellant (like coastcat seems to) then this is your stuff :)

Dianne

[Michelle and Richard]

Ants? ANTS?? Michelle, are they grease ants or sugar ants or both? Or some variety I don't even know about yet? Do they come into your house? Icky, icky, icky!!! Bring on the diazenon crystals!!

Rae

Just plain old little ants and every so often we would find a little trail of them leading to some crumb of food. Horrible

[karltsmith]

It's the Roaches that will really make you squirm....BIG MOTHERS! :yes :yes :yes :wah :wah :wah

[bliksembokkie]

Kia ora
Who are you trying to chase away? :oops:
Bliksembokkie

[karltsmith]

Did I mention the SLUGS that crawl under the ranch sliders and leave a trail across the carpet? :angel

[bliksembokkie]

So thats what happened to my neighbours!

[veronica]

Diane2 word of warning on the deet. it is pretty toxic stuff and what you put on your skin is absorbed into the body so its best kept for the odd occasion.

[Radders]

The west coast is a nightmare for sandflies! We camped at a lot of DoC campsites, and you would be the only edible thing for miles!
If you turned the torch on at night towards the top of the tent, you could see them all sitting on top desperately trying to get in! As you entered or left the tent loads would get in. We had a ritual everynight of swatting sandflies that had made it in! :eek

[Iain & Liz]

I've just grabbed the latest copy of avon !!! and can not find any skin so soft (woodland rain) any where..
Do they still make it ??.
if so do they sell avon in nz.
I think that i got some for christmas one year in fact about 10 yrs ago if i remember correctly.

[Lil]

They always have Skin-So-Soft (SSS) in every brochure and have done for years, usually towards the back of the book. There are about four "flavours", a Pink "Fluffy" one, a Yellow "Lush" one, but the one you want is the Green "Woodland" one. They always have offers on and in the last book they were buy one get one free.

Also they do have Avon in NZ - http://www.avon.co.nz/

[Moorf]

I'm another who hates bugs and has a HUGE wasp phobia...

Not seen anything remotely scary yet, just the usual flies.... there are lots of wasps on the camelias in the garden but I would be housebound if I avoided going places there were wasps!

Hmm - roaches - do they make it to the South Island :eek My time in Malaysia introduced me to those monsters... don't want to encounter THAT again - remember turning on the garage light there and seeing a black mass move to each corner of the room.... SHUDDER

I too am a mozzie meal... they love me.. and I found Skin So Soft (Woodland Dry Oil only) worked really really well on previous jaunts...

[Raeven]

Not seen anything remotely scary yet, just the usual flies....

Now, Moorf, when you say the usual flies... what exactly does that mean? Are these flies that land with alarming frequency on your food? Are they flies that land on you (horrors)? Or are they the type of fly that is sometimes seen buzzing around the house but not really bothering anything? Do these flies mind their own business, or are they actively trying to climb into your nose, ears or eyes, like they do in Australia? And are we talking about plural flies or the occasional fly?

I hate flies.

Any and all further clarification most welcome!!! - Rae

[Moorf]

You're okay Rae - they're just small, "minding-their-own-business" house flies that don't bother you in any way... in fact, I bought a can of Raid and haven't bothered to get it out yet - only seen 2 flies in the entire house!!

Was a mozzie in the bathroom this morning but he looked fat, and I'm not scratching, so I think he refuelled on Woz :laugh

Believe me, if the flies started crawling up my nose I'd be crawling back on a plane home!!

EEEWWWWWWW...

Having said that, it's cold and early spring so there might be more varieties that I have yet to discover :eek