gnats - no seem ems - eating me alive

[sunlover]

In the wake of Ida, I'm being eaten alive every night. I've started coating myself with insect repellent before climbing in the berth, but any tips from seasoned live aboards?

My portable ac unit is probably pulling them in as it creates a slight suction on the gangway door. Maybe some rubber cement and gnat proof screen.

I'm currently on the hard and there's no breeze at night, so moving to a more suitable location isn't possible. It certainly has given me more motivation to complete repairs and/or find more suitable accomodations.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Sorry- around here we call them "flying teeth "

 

[sail sfbay]

Ouch!! Start by a thorough cleaning with soap and water and wipe down with hydrogen peroxide solution, remove moist dirt and food sources and seal all your drains and prepare traps as discussed in this article What Causes Gnats and How to Get Rid of Them - Dengarden .

 

[kappykaplan]

Sorry- around here we call them "flying teeth "

 

[rgranger]

I have found citronella candels to be very effective but they take at least 30 minutes of burn time before they start to work. I sleep out on my boat as often as I can and when I do, I usually leave a candel buring in the cockpit and one in the galley sink. I place it in a large metal pot so it can't fall over and light my boat on fire if someone drives by and throws a wake at my boat. I also have a metal can that I put a second candel into and leave that burning in the galley sink. It is a little harrowing to leave an open flame burning while sleeping but if you take resonable precautions to ensure that it will fail safe...

Anyway, it works for me.

I have also used mosquito netting as a blanket and when I do, I wear a baseball cap so the bill keeps the net off of my face while I sleep. I have never had any luck trying to mosquito net the boat. They always find a way in... so I just net myself.

Good luck

 

[sunlover]

I have found citronella candels to be very effective but they take at least 30 minutes of burn time before they start to work. I sleep out on my boat as often as I can and when I do, I usually leave a candel buring in the cockpit and one in the galley sink. I place it in a large metal pot so it can't fall over and light my boat on fire if someone drives by and throws a wake at my boat. I also have a metal can that I put a second candel i nto and leave that burning in the galley sink. It is a little harrowing to leave an open flame burning while sleeping but if you take resonable precautions to ensure that it will fail safe...

Anyway, it works for me.

I have also used mosquito netting as a blanket and when I do, I wear a baseball cap so the bill keeps the net off of my face while I sleep. I have never had any luck trying to mosquito net the boat. They always find a way in... so I just net myself.

Good luck

good ideas. I didn't realize that the citronella candle took 3 minutes.

I'll have to look into the netting.

 

[rgranger]

good ideas. I didn't realize that the citronella candle took 3 minutes.

I'll have to look into the netting.

It takes a while to make a "vapor space" around your boat.

 

[sunlover]

good ideas. I didn't realize that the citronella candle took 3 minutes.

I'll have to look into the netting.

It takes a while to make a "vapor space" around your boat.

*30 minutes

I bought some essential oil and a diffuser off Amazon. Maybe it will help.

I had a crop of Mosquitos going in the bilge but those are now dead. I haven't seen one in days.

 

[JamesG161]

Look at this link...
No-see-ums

full info...
Jim...