| Native New Zealand Sandfly | | | | legs with long sleeve garments |
| Maori name: Namu | | | | 2. Wear a hat; Always wear a hat |
| Family name: Simuliidae blackfly | | | | (sandflies don't really go for your |
| There are 13 species in New Zealand, two | | | | face) |
| of which bite humans: the others | | | | 3. Cover yourself in Botanica; this is |
| preferring penguins, bats, and seals. | | | | the best Sandfly repellent as it has |
| They locate their prey through sight and | | | | natural ingredients and does not contain |
| small and it is only the female sandfly | | | | the Deet chemical. |
| bites. She needs blood to produce her | | | | 4. Put Botanica on your hat; Cover your |
| eggs so using her saw-like jaws to stab | | | | hat in Botanica |
| the skin a pool of blood is created, | | | | 5. Take your vitamin B; Sandflies don't |
| this is lapped up with her tongue. Her | | | | like vitamin B |
| saliva contains an anticoagulant that | | | | 6. Eat Marmite or Vegemite; Marmite and |
| causes the irritation to your skin. Eggs | | | | Vegemite the table spreads contain |
| are laid in fast flowing water. The | | | | vitamin B. Some of this on your morning |
| males congregate in shady humid bushy | | | | toast might also help. You would have to |
| areas and live off sap and nectar. | | | | eat a lot of this to make it your only |
| Sandflies are located in wetter areas of | | | | form of defence |
| New Zealand and can be pests, but are | | | | 7. Avoid wearing dark colours; Sandflies |
| effectively controlled by use of an | | | | go for dark colours |
| insect repellent. | | | | Botaniac has natural products and is |
| The West Coast of the South Island and | | | | available at health food stores and some |
| the Fiordland area has sandflies that | | | | Pharmacies (drug stores). Botanic is |
| will "eat you alive". These New Zealand | | | | available in a spray on or roll on and |
| tiny sandflies are not generally lethal | | | | with sunscreen. It is a white bottle |
| but they are very annoying. | | | | with a blue lid. Botaniac smells nice. |
| You must be prepared with protection or | | | | I hope this prepares you for your |
| the little flies will drive you mad. | | | | sandfly defence. If you keep these |
| There are some simple things you can do | | | | little creatures away you will enjoy |
| to avoid the tiny itchy bites. | | | | some of the most beautiful spots in the |
| 1. Cover your skin; Cover your arms and | | | | world. |