The Lowcountry of South Carolina is a land mass that barely lifts its head above water. The daily ritual of incoming and outgoing tides offers up land within mere feet – sometimes inches above sea level. The salt marsh licks the very edges of workable soil on a daily basis. This intersection of land, sea and air offers a magical and abundant environment that is home to the greatest diversity of species of any place on earth. Of course, the greatest diversity lies within the magnificent salt marsh that stretches for miles in every direction.
This is a visual fairy tale with endless possibilities to provoke the mind to wander. Until, of course, the delight in this naturally abundant area is stabbed repeatedly by the ever present stings from nearly invisible bugs. Visitors from other lands also call them sand gnats, sand flies, sand fleas, midges, and punkies. But to the locals, the only true name is No-see-ems.
They aren’t actually invisible and if the light hits correctly, you can see them swarming with a similar look of flying dust. But make no mistake, these lightweight, tiny particles floating around you are there for only one reason – to bite you with razor sharp teeth and suck your blood.
The favorite location is in your hair as they burrow towards your scalp and commence their feasting. It is like tiny, sharp stings as though being pricked with a needle. Then the bites immediately begin to itch. Other victims are attacked along every square inch of exposed skin on the arms, legs, and neck with a vengeance matched only by piranhas. Just a short stint outdoors for some can produce dozens of bites from these hungry marauders in minutes.
No one is immune and some are like magnets. Body chemistry, personal hygiene products, blood type as well as dumb luck cause certain people to be no-see-em favorites. And the worst part is that if you want to be outside, so do they. Sunny, mild temperatures that beckon all of us outdoors means these monsters will be lurking.
But don’t be discouraged – for there is a solution.
Using a safe, natural and effective pest control product will allow you venture forth and enjoy the outdoors whenever you want to. You can create a personal bubble by using a personal repellent. You can also create a much bigger bubble by running product through your irrigation system so that your entire property is free of pests.
Rumor has it that past visitors swore the no-see-ems were so bad that they’d never return. Well, the no-see-em has met its match so the Lowcountry of SC is now open for business!