10 Ways to Stop Sandfly Bites

1. Keep Moving

An early Maori legend says that sandflies were created to punish laziness and it is easy to see where the legend comes from. Sandflies tend to go crazy on people that just sit there and wait. However, keen hikers that are constantly moving or beach-goers that are having fun in and around the water seem to be much less attractive. So keep active and stay sandfly free!

Need some hikes to inspire you to move? Check out The Top 50 Hikes in New Zealand.

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2. Use Insect Repellent

There are a ton of insect repellents on the market, from the hardcore chemical ones that will kill you before it kills the sandflies to the one that smells like a candle but is not effective at all. Your best bet is to wait to be in New Zealand and get an insect repellent in one of our local pharmacies. You will find that the insect repellent sold here works much better on sandflies than your European or North American ones.

REPEL Insect Repellent is a brand that we like in New Zealand, but you can check out some more repellents in the 7 Best Insect Repellents for New Zealand.

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3. Wear Long Sleeves and Pants

That’s a bit of an obvious one but if you keep your skin covered, the sandflies cant come and bite it. So set aside a few light long sleeve layers when packing for your trip to New Zealand so you have something to wear in summer when the sandflies are out.

For more clever suggestions, check out New Zealand Packing List: What to Pack for New Zealand.

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4. Travel in the Shoulder and Low Season

Sandflies tend to be out only in summer. It is pretty rare to find sand flies outside of October to March. So that’s just another great reason to travel in the shoulder and off-season in New Zealand. You’ll have a great time exploring the country when there are fewer tourists. Plus, you’ll have a bite-free trip!

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5. Pray for Wind

Sandflies cannot handle wind. It simply locks them where they are and they are unable to take off. So pick a windy day or a windy spot by the river and you will be much less annoyed by the flying insects.

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6. Eat Marmite or Vegemite

Ok, let’s face it, only a few can handle the smell of Marmite or Vegemite, let alone its taste. However, with these yeasty spreads being rich in vitamin B, it is proven to be an excellent insect repellent after only a few days of eating them. You either love them or you hate them, so try them with a bit of butter on some toast to start you off. If you really can’t stand the taste (we don’t blame you), move on to our next tip.

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7. Take Vitamin B Tablets

So you’ve tried Marmite and told yourself that it was not worth it? We get it, you have to be a tough Kiwi to like Marmite… Your alternative is vitamin B tablets. This will help you raise your vitamin B intake almost instantly and hopefully keep the sandflies away from you.

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8. Take Antihistamine

If you have any questions about antihistamines, ask your doctor. In short, these pills are a remedy against an allergic reaction. Because of their active ingredients, they are also a great option to prevent bites in the first place. You can find them at any good pharmacy or get them prescribed to you by your GP. Antihistamines are also a recommendation in our Health Tips For Travelling in New Zealand + Medication to Pack.

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9. Avoid the West Coast

Really as a last resort, as we don’t recommend that you miss any part of New Zealand, avoid the areas where sandflies are most prolific. The West Coast region of the South Island is famous for its abundance of sandflies, especially in summer. This even includes the Fiordland National Park and places like Milford Sound.

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