Insect/Ant bites

by robert thompson, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 11:50 (1414 days ago)

I just visited Las Brisas in Ixtapa (for the 7th consecutive year). Once again, I have suffered a multitude of bite from unseen insects. I suspect they are small ants - but? How can I keep them away from my suite and me? How can I best treat the bites? They itch and sting for days. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Insect/Ant bites

by Yandosan, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 12:17 (1414 days ago) @ robert thompson

The exterminators use boric acid. Mix it with sugar and they bring it back to their nest and poison it. Really good for roaches too, it screws up their bowels.

Insect/Ant bites

by robert thompson, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 12:35 (1414 days ago) @ Yandosan

Good to know! Thanks
Any ideas on how to treat bites?

Insect/Ant bites

by Skink, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 13:07 (1414 days ago) @ robert thompson

I always use lime juice

Insect/Ant bites

by Casa Juan @, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 13:28 (1414 days ago) @ Skink

salt water, swim in the ocean and let the water naturally dry on you afterwards for a few days

Insect/Ant bites

by robert thompson, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 14:25 (1414 days ago) @ Casa Juan

Thank you Casa Juan

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Insect/Ant bites

by Timmac @, Steilacoom, WA, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 14:14 (1414 days ago) @ Skink

I have found that if you mix the lime juice with tequila and orange liqueur and then take it internally, the itching almost disappears. It does sometimes require a second dose.

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Insect/Ant bites

by ZihuaRob ⌂ @, Zihuatanejo, México, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 18:26 (1414 days ago) @ Timmac

I have found that if you mix the lime juice with tequila and orange liqueur and then take it internally, the itching almost disappears. It does sometimes require a second dose.

I'd just as soon skip that sweet orange likoooooor stuff. But limes are always good'n'good for ya. And tequila? ¡SALUD!

Insect/Ant bites

by islandgirl @, Cowichan Valley, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 22:04 (1414 days ago) @ robert thompson

Your underarm deodorant stick can be used to stop the itching, at least on mosquito bites. Works like a charm.

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Insect/Ant bites

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 14:36 (1414 days ago) @ robert thompson

We find that the most painful bites we get here are from ants. There are several kinds in our yard, and each on really hurts, burns, and lasts a long time, often a couple of hours. We definitely feel them as soon as they bite, so if you aren't seeing them in the act, it's probably not ants.

We finally stopped calling many of our stings/bites mosquito because we don't see them in action. They are now just "bugs." Some of the worse we get on the upper body while we are walking on the beach. Fortunately this isn't common here on la Ropa. They only last maybe 20 minutes.

We take lots of deodorized garlic. Very inexpensive at Similares (25% off everything on Monday). Two at happy hour, two as soon as we get up. It really does help and yes, we have tested by not taking them for a week, and they really do help.

Once bitten we just do our best not to touch them. Although we do often use Tim's remedy just in case.

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Insect/Ant bites

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 21:18 (1414 days ago) @ Talley Ho

Tonight during our evening tour of our estate, we both got nailed by very tiny ants in a place we never had been before. Horrible. My left foot on top, 3.5 hours later is still swollen. We felt them start to bite, kicked our flips off, rubbed all over smashing them. Did this several times. Finished our tour, settled to sit on level 2 (we have 6 levels) and didn't touch the areas, but watched them swell. Poured another drink, went up to level 6, things eased up. Played in the pool with the dogs, and made dinner. It's now almost 4 hours later, still swelling, no more itch or pain unless we rub them. HATE ants!!!

Self control seems to be a big part of it. Good Luck!

Insect/Ant bites

by victorio, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 21:54 (1414 days ago) @ Talley Ho

Hola
A few years ago I was bitten by what I think was a spider. There were two small holes in my elbow
No itch, only swelling . Went to the Doctor, who happened to be my landlord, he drained it, had me do a blood test and gave some drugs to take. The amazing thing was that his office was upstairs from the pharmacy (next to The Fishing Hole) and across the street from the blood testing lab. He made me better. It wasn't very expensive.

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Insect/Ant bites

by ZihuaRob ⌂ @, Zihuatanejo, México, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 18:18 (1414 days ago) @ robert thompson

I just visited Las Brisas in Ixtapa (for the 7th consecutive year). Once again, I have suffered a multitude of bite from unseen insects. I suspect they are small ants - but? How can I keep them away from my suite and me? How can I best treat the bites? They itch and sting for days. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Simple, STOP SCRATCHING. If you must touch it, smack it, rub it, but DO NOT SCRATCH. Itch is gone in 5 minutes.

What bit you were midges, no-see-ums. We call them jejenes.

When outdoors near the beach in the late afternoon and early evening, splash a little AUTAN on your exposed skin.

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Insect/Ant bites

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 20:19 (1414 days ago) @ ZihuaRob

You are SO right!!! The answer is to not touch it, and just relax!

Insect/Ant bites

by IXTZIHUA, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 21:03 (1414 days ago) @ Talley Ho

3 words to reduce/eliminate noseeums........

1) Skin

2) So

3) Soft

you are most welcome in advance ;)

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Insect/Ant bites

by Leemr @, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 21:09 (1414 days ago) @ IXTZIHUA

NOT FOUND HERE!

Insect/Ant bites

by islandgirl @, Cowichan Valley, Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 22:08 (1414 days ago) @ IXTZIHUA

It is from Avon, and a disclaimer: you will smell like a cheap tart, but the bugs do not like it. Contains citronella.

Insect/Ant bites

by SandyB, Saturday, January 07, 2023, 13:27 (1403 days ago) @ IXTZIHUA

Avon’s Skin So Soft has never worked in the slightest for me.

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Insect/Ant bites

by timixtapa ⌂ @, Ixtapa, México, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 08:18 (1413 days ago) @ robert thompson

Robert, it seems to me that bedbugs were the culprits.

--
Tim Sullivan

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Insect/Ant bites

by ZihuaRob ⌂ @, Zihuatanejo, México, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 08:36 (1413 days ago) @ timixtapa

Robert, it seems to me that bedbugs were the culprits.

I didn't think about that. Yes, certainly could be. Not good for Las Brisas.

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Insect/Ant bites

by Helene @, Zih, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 09:46 (1413 days ago) @ ZihuaRob

Avon skin so soft saved my dad's life when they moved to Florida. For the itch try andantol found at any drugstore. I also will use lime to prevent bug bites and the itching.

Insect/Ant bites

by robert thompson, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 10:04 (1413 days ago) @ Helene

Thanks to all of you for sharing your experience and solutions. I truly appreciate your help. One thing I'm sure about is that it's not bed bugs. I've had experience with those critters and the bites I have been getting are located around my ankles and lower legs and nowhere else. The bite characteristics are most like those from ant bites, not those from bed bugs. I'm sure that it's not a Las Brisas bed bug issue. The bite reaction is much more akin to that resulting from a fire ant bite you might get in Texas.
Again, thanks for all your thoughts.
Robert

Insect/Ant bites

by Dougschuler @, Denver, Saturday, January 07, 2023, 14:25 (1403 days ago) @ robert thompson

What your describing is fire ants. We have them at our place. Avoid scratching and itching disappears in about five minutes

Insect/Ant bites

by Yandosan, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 10:13 (1413 days ago) @ Helene

"Linear" was the buzzword in school for the arrangement of bites bedbugs make,
ie the pattern. And if I remember scabies bites were often interphalangeal (ie between the fingers...)
Permethrin might be a good way to get these critters out of your life. Works on ticks too.