Mosquitoes on St. George Island
When most people think about Florida bugs, mosquitoes are usually the first thing that comes to mind.
And for good reason.
While no-see-ums may be the year-round champion on St. George Island, mosquito populations can explode during certain times of the year, especially after periods of heavy rain.
Anyone who has lived on the Gulf Coast knows exactly what happens.
A tropical storm moves through.
The rain settles into low spots.
Standing water appears everywhere.
And suddenly it feels like the mosquitoes have taken over the island.
Living With Mosquitoes on St. George Island
One of the things I loved most about living on St. George Island was spending time outdoors.
Morning walks.
Evening walks.
Working on renovation projects.
Relaxing on the porch.
Watching sunsets.
The challenge was that mosquitoes seemed to enjoy those activities just as much as I did.
Some years were worse than others, but after rainy periods the mosquitoes could become remarkably aggressive.
In fact, we often joked that some of them were so large they looked like they could be grilled into steaks.
More Than Just Mosquitoes
One thing people quickly learn after moving to coastal Florida is that mosquitoes are only part of the story.
Depending on the season, you may also encounter:
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No-see-ums
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Sand gnats
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Yellow flies
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Horse flies
Each behaves differently.
That’s one reason bug control can feel so frustrating.
The solution that works best for one insect may not always feel ideal for another.
My Search for Something Better
While living on St. George Island, we also operated a vacation rental property.
Over time, guests left behind dozens of partially used bug sprays.
We eventually accumulated a laundry basket full of products from nearly every major brand.
That was a clue.
Everyone was fighting the same battle.
Yet nobody seemed completely satisfied with the options available.
For me, the biggest issue wasn’t the smell.
It was the feeling.
Many sprays left my skin feeling sticky and uncomfortable. After spending time outdoors, I couldn’t wait to wash them off.
I wanted something simpler.
Creating SGI Naturals
My goal wasn’t to start a company.
I simply wanted something I enjoyed using.
After nearly two years of experimenting, I developed a simple balm made with:
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Grass-fed beef tallow
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Beeswax
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Lavender oil
The result became SGI Naturals Bug Repellent Balm.
Today, I still use it the same way I did during those years on St. George Island.
A small amount on my neck, arms, ankles, and other exposed areas before heading outdoors.
Simple.
Portable.
Easy to carry.
Enjoying the Outdoors Again
Mosquitoes are part of life in Florida.
So are sunsets, beaches, fishing, boating, gardening, and evening walks.
For me, the goal was never to eliminate every insect.
The goal was simply to enjoy being outdoors without constantly thinking about them.
That’s why SGI Naturals exists today.
Related Reading:
Natural Bug Repellent for Sand Gnats
Walking Your Dog During Florida Bug Season