Bloodsuckers can be a real pain-point during your travels around NZ. And no, I’m not talking about those $20 parking meters at Milford Sound, or the public toilet at Te Anau that stings you with an entry fee. It’s those tiny specs that drive you nuts in beautiful places like the Catlins, the West Coast, Fiordland, and Golden Bay: dreaded sandflies.

Crazily, entomologists have recorded bite rates of up to 1000-an-hour on New Zealand’s West Coast. I can believe it. When I camped in my van at Kiosk Creek, it probably took 30 seconds for a cloud of sandflies to begin pestering me. Non-stop. They even invaded the van somehow. By the next day, I was covered in swollen, red lumps that itched 24/7. Let’s just say, these days I prefer sheltering in a nice, sealed, room instead …

But, to enjoy 10/10 scenery and those fabulous Milford cruises, we all need to brave the outdoors sometime. So, what can be done about sandflies? Here’s what I wish I’d known, along with some unusual tips to make your next trip way more bearable!

Contents

1. What happens when you get bitten…
2. What attracts sandflies?
3. How to get rid of sandflies
4. My anti-sandfly routine
5. Best ways to heal bites

Bite Biology: What happens when you are bitten

Why are sandfly bites so itchy?

When you get bitten, your immune system releases histamines and fluid, causing swelling. Histamines also cause your nerve cells to fire repeatedly, causing that awful itch.

Thankfully, sandflies in NZ are not known to carry diseases that affect humans and there are a few ways you can repel them.

What attracts sandflies?

There seems to be little agreement about what attracts sandflies. Entomologists think it’s probably our breath (carbon dioxide), scent, or warmth. In other words, things we can’t do much about. But interestingly, sandflies also appear to be more attracted to dark (particularly blue) rather than lighter colours. Also:

• Sandflies are usually most prolific at dawn and dusk, along with warm, overcast days
• They tend to congregate near water and the boundaries of forest clearings
• In my experience, sandflies are usually not a huge problem when you’re enjoying a cruise (e.g. in Doubtful or Milford Sound), although you’ll still get the odd one around. But watch out when you step foot on land!

How to get rid of sandflies?

The obvious:

• Repellent: make yourself distasteful! Chemist Warehouse has a range of repellents at affordable prices.
• Seal your tent/vehicle, close any vents. The holes of fly mesh are usually too large, so you need something finer. Or, make your life easier by securing comfortable accommodation ahead of time.
• Cover exposed skin – consider a stylish fly veil over your hat.
• Move around: sandflies are more likely to find you if you are stationary. Did you know in Māori legend, the namu (sandfly) was created to deter people from lingering in the most scenic parts of the country? How true.

The reasonable:

• Avoid summertime: consider travelling to notorious sandfly hotspots in the cooler months.
• Live the nightlife: sandflies can’t see in the dark, but torches/lamps may attract them.
• Enjoy bad weather: sandflies are not a fan of the wind and rain.
• Some travellers sprinkle white vinegar on their clothes as a repellent.
• Avoid sandflies hot spots like running water, forest fringes, & wildlife (e.g. seals & penguins).
• Use incense, citronella & eucalyptus candles, or mozzie coils in open areas.

The wacky:

• Banana peel: I haven’t tried this myself. Some recommend rubbing the inside of a banana peel on your hands, legs, and other exposed areas of skin. If this works, please let us know in the comments!
• Vitamin B: although a lot of websites claim that vitamin B supplementation helps repel mosquitoes, there is actually little scientific data to support this.

My Anti-Sandfly routine

• Antihistamines: I take these a day before entering sandfly territory so if I do get bitten, the bites are less painful and unsightly.
• Essential oils = repellent:
  Blend olive oil with a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil and massage it over your arms/legs. If you don’t want this heavy mix on your face, spritz with lavender water instead.

How can I heal sandfly bites?

Been bitten? Welcome to the club. Luckily, there are plenty of ways speed up your recovery. I recommend checking out Healthpost for effective and natural solutions.

• Try not to scratch.
• Try antihistamine tablets!
• Aloe vera gel is awesome.
• Cover your bite with a layer of white toothpaste.
• Tea tree: a natural anti-bacterial that can speed up the healing process. If you are using pure tea tree oil, make sure you dilute it with water or a carrier oil before applying (1-2 drops per cup of water/carrier oil). Applying tea tree oil undiluted can burn your skin.
• Still worried? See a doctor for acute reactions.

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