New Zealand Sandflies: Everything You Need to Know + Best Itch Relief Product

One important thing to know about New Zealand before you travel there is that you should seriously avoid New Zealand sandflies and their vicious bites at all costs.

Before I traveled there, I was often warned about this tiny, evil, biting creature. In fact, I was told by all that I would regret not using full-strength, chemical-laden insect repellent, especially on the South Island.

I’ve also received similar warnings about biting insects when traveling to other countries. Like the doctor flies in Belize, which was annoying when I saw the remnants of their visit to my skin (a tiny red dot of blood) but could not feel them land or bite. The bites were a little itchy, but I wasn’t overly sensitive, experiencing no swelling or other symptoms I’ve read about.

So, I mistakenly didn’t take the warnings about sandflies in New Zealand seriously.

In this post, I’ll share with you everything I learned about sandflies while I traveled through New Zealand, including my experience finding a proper remedy to the incessant itching.

Everything You Need to Know About New Zealand Sandflies

The New Zealand sandfly is the colloquial name for the native black flies that are only 2-3mm long. According to conflicting online sources, there are 13 or 19 species of sandflies in New Zealand, but only 2 or 3 that bite humans.

In 1773, Captain James Cook jotted down his thoughts on sandflies when he encountered them while exploring the territory. He wrote, “The most mischievous animal here is the small black sandfly, which is exceedingly numerous …wherever they light, they cause a swelling and such intolerable itching that it is not possible to refrain from scratching and at last ends in ulcers like the small Pox.”

Captain Cook was 1000% correct, and despite their tiny size, they pack a vicious bite.

Only the females of the species do the biting, but isn’t it always? Blood is essential to their breeding process; they will stop at nothing for their next blood meal. They prefer penguins to snack on but will opt for humans if that is what’s around. << Interesting.

When they bite, they stretch and tear the skin with a saw-like proboscis, then feed on a pool of blood created inside the wound. The histamine left behind is what causes the intense itching and swelling.

Reactions can vary for everyone, but sandfly bites commonly cause hives (similar to mosquito bites), excessive swelling, and an insatiable itching and burning feeling that can last for weeks. Plus, the general desire to rip your skin off in frustration when awoken for the third time in the middle of the night from the intensity of the burning feeling.

Even the most reserved and self-controlled person in the world couldn’t resist itching these bites!

The Aftermath of New Zealand Sandfly Bites

Once scratched enough (ppsshh, there is NEVER enough scratching!), the top layer of skin is often ripped off, leaving behind a bloody hole that scabs over. Just like chickenpox!

During my trip through Milford Sound and Fjordlands National Park, I observed many scabby and scarred legs, no doubt the workings of this tiny demon fly.

Luckily, as much as I itched and scratched my bites over the following two weeks, I escaped New Zealand without a single scab or scar. All credit goes to my friend, Chelsea, for suggesting the secret weapon for curing the itch of New Zealand sandfly bites! I’ll share more about it below!

However, I did notice dark marks on my skin where the bites were for months following my return home.

There is a Silver Lining!

New Zealand sandflies are not known to spread any type of disease. So, if you get bitten (and odds are you will if you visit the South Island), you have to worry about the uncontrollable urge to scratch yourself until you bleed. =)

Where New Zealand Sandflies Live

Sandflies can be found on both the North and South Islands, but the most vicious biters live exclusively on the West Coast of the South Island. According to the map above (and the onslaught of bites I received in Bluff), I’d also call it the North and South Coast. But that’s just me!

Lady sandflies lay their eggs in running water and generally thrive near beaches and rivers. They also inhabit the dense, foggy, humid bush along waterways on the West Coast. Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park are two of their trademark residences, and you are guaranteed to meet them there.

They are inactive at night because they can’t see in the dark, but activity picks up when sunlight is faint, like at dawn and dusk. Overcast and humid conditions are favorable because it allows them to be active throughout the day.

How to Avoid New Zealand Sandflies

The easiest way to avoid them is to avoid waterways, especially during dawn, dusk, and overcast days. It’s best just to expect a run-in and be prepared.

The first best step is to wear long sleeves and long pants. They are most active during warm summer months, so wearing long sleeves probably sounds like a horrible idea. Don’t fret; light cotton or linen should suffice since they are unlikely to bite you through your clothing.

Then layer on some insect repellent containing at least 40% DEET or another natural repellent if you prefer. I know DEET isn’t the greatest thing in the world to subject yourself to, but neither is subjecting yourself to these bites! Whichever one you choose, carry it with you to reapply often.

Next, just keep moving around. Standing or sitting in one place leaves the little demons time to land on you and start ripping any exposed skin apart, including your face and ears. Walk around in circles, dance like no one is watching, or do some jumping jacks – whatever keeps your body moving.

Otherwise, visiting sandfly territory during winter should greatly decrease your chances of running into them.

That’s really all you can do! I can’t guarantee you won’t get bitten at all by doing these things, but it may help reduce the number of bites.

Remedies for New Zealand Sandfly Bites

So, you wore long sleeves and pants that covered your ankles, and you bathed in insect repellent, but you were still assaulted. How do you relieve the pain you’re now suffering?

I know of a secret weapon that will stop the itching and the burning in its tracks, and it’s something you may not expect. Unfortunately, I tried many other “home remedies before learning about this secret weapon.”

First, I tried a whole tube of hydrocortisone cream that I packed in my first aid kit. It didn’t work. Then I bought some New Zealand anti-itch cream that didn’t work. My Airbnb host in Invercargill nearly injured herself, reaching for her first aid kit to get some sandfly bite ointment that she swore would work.

News flash! It didn’t work!

Ice packs didn’t work, and scorching the itch out by showering in near-boiling water didn’t work. I even tried the old standbys for mosquito bites: X-ing the bites with my fingernails and slapping the bite area as hard as possible. Don’t even waste your time with Burt’s Bees Bug Bite Relief.

Big ‘ole goose egg on everything I attempted.

That is until I arrived at my friend Chelsea’s house in Auckland for my last few days in the country. I was describing the torture I’d been enduring for the past couple of weeks, and she nonchalantly mentioned coconut oil. At this point, I enthusiastically gave any suggestion a try and was blown away by the results this time.

I felt immediate relief. The itching stopped, and the swelling of the welts went down. Within days the sandfly bites withered to just some ugly dark marks (that stuck around for months after I returned home). But at last, no more itching!

I felt no urge to itch during my 12-hour flight to Los Angeles, 8-hour delay/layover at LAX, 6-hour flight to Boston, or 2-hour bus ride to Cape Cod!

So, if you are in a similar situation, skip all other recommendations and reach straight for the coconut oil! You can thank me later.

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