Canada experts, help please.

[Callisto]

Hi all,

I am going to Canada with DD and DP for 2 weeks at the end of September and would like to know what the mosquito/black fly/midge situation is at this time of year. We are hiring an RV and driving from Calgary to Vancouver (possibly to Pacific Rim NP on Vancouver Island if we have time) and back. If the insects are bad (I have experience of Scottish midges at their worst) what insect repellants do you recommend bearing in mind that DD is 3.

Also, in the process of checking out RV sites etc, I have come across prices 'plus taxes'. Could anyone tell me what the 'plus taxes' rate is and if most things are ex-tax for eg in supermarkets, shops etc? I'm assuming it is like VAT, but not added like we do in this country.

Many thanks in advance.

there are 2 taxes GST (good and services tax - not on everything but on plenty of things!) is 7% which is Canada wide and PST which varies according to province. Alberta doesn't do PST.

At this time of year you shouldn't have any major bug issues but it really depends on weather - warm/wet buggier than cool/dry. It also depends on where you are - boggy muskeg is always buggy! From where you say you are going you should be ok. Ask any local when you get there for recommendations on bug repellant.

Have fun!

Callisto
Have you checked out www.tripadvisor.com under the Canada forum.

Although mumsnetters are very knowledgeable , I get lots of infos from that site. Be careful though, it's almost as addictive as this!

I don't think the bugs should be too bad at that time of year but if you are in a buggy area buy local stuff - they'll have repellents that are suitable for kids. Eg Off Sensitive (I think).

GST is 7% and PST 7% in BC - added at the till in shops.

Have a great time!

Thanks everyone, that makes everything much clearer. I am soooo looking forward to going.

Callisto, as ajandjjmum suggested have a look on www.tripadvisor.com - LOADS of help there & you maybe able to get in touch with a "travel expert" for Canada. I went in June & also in July (5 weeks in total) and on the June trip, I had no problems, but in July there was SOMETHING that bit me & they ended up like blisters-really itchy-nasty things!GOD knows what it was-never saw the little buggers!! The only thing I've been bitten bad badly over here and had the same reaction is a horse fly (or sometimes known as Clegs). My Mum swears by Skin So Soft by Avon, avonshop.co.uk/shop/product.asp?src_page=product_list.asp&level1_id=700&level2_id=703&pdept_id=994&d eptid=&pfid=4982 OR
avonshop.co.uk/shop/product.asp?src_page=product_list.asp&level1_id=700&level2_id=703&pdept_id=994&d eptid=&pfid=5203Just spoken to Avon (as it used to be called Woodland Fresh) and the advisor said I was about the 10th person to enquire for this VERY same reason!! The days that my Mum DIDN'T use it, she was bitten!!

HTH

I've heard of Skin So Soft being used against Scottish midges and I'm going to get some. I don't suffer too badly (bitter blood or something) but DP gets terribly badly bitten when we're in midge country and reacts to the bites so I want to avoid this when we're in Canada. Though it doesn't sound as though it'll be too buggy when we're there. Thanks for the links.