Sunday, June 27, 2010

When Yvette Hernandez bought a house in Key Largo last year, she and her husband spent hours outside working to clean up the place.

While getting the yard in shape was exhausting, the worst part was dealing with the relentless mosquitoes and no-see-ums. They couldn't even enjoy the sunset and a cold drink from their backyard after a hard day's work without coming under attack.

"After spending so much time using the sprays to prevent the biting, and not liking the stickiness and the chemicals, I thought there should be a better way," Hernandez said. "I have always loved the outdoors and saw this as the perfect opportunity to follow my passion and create my own small business."

So Hernandez, who worked as an office manager for her husband's furniture delivery business, set to work developing something that would keep the bugs at bay but still allow people to enjoy the outdoors even in the heat. Her solution: Buggy Suits.

These lightweight, mesh, two-piece suits can be worn over clothing to repel bugs.

"After months of research, I found that most people had the same concerns about insect repellents and mosquito-transmitted diseases such as the West Nile virus and dengue fever," she said. "At the present time, there are no specific treatments for these infections and the best way to prevent the infection is to prevent the bite."

The zippered front jacket has a hood and face panel for maximum protection when needed. There is a pocket on the jacket and pants and cord locks on the ankles for a complete seal.

"The Buggy Suit was created to be worn as a casual garment over your summer outfit, just as you would wear a jacket when it's cool outdoors," Hernandez said. "The Buggy Suits are made flexible, enabling you to have your morning jog, work in the garden, walk the dog, go fishing or go about your daily activities without the bites."

She said the hardest part about developing the product was finding the right fabric.

"It needed to be something that would stay cool and the air could still flow through it, but mosquitoes and no-see-ums could not," she said. "I wanted to find something for our climate since it's so muggy here. A lot of the ones they sell on the market are for up north for hunters and they are heavy. We can't use that here. It's just too hot."

Equally important, she wanted something that was made in the U.S. She found a North Carolina company that made a material that would work great for the suits, which are manufactured in Miami. Even the zippers are made in the U.S.

Since fall, Hernandez has been selling the suits online and at community festivals, art shows and other events throughout the Keys. She said they have been a hit with people who spend a lot of time outdoors, both for work and play.

"Most of the guys who buy are for outdoor activities -- fishing, kayaking, camping," she said.

Her customers aren't limited to the Keys. Orders are coming in from around the country, including a large group of employees from Crystal River, Fla., who work in wooded areas.

"They loved it. For our climate, we have nothing on the market," she said. "They like the fact that it's a lightweight fabric and it's something they can wear over their regular clothes."

Diana Buitrago of Sunrise, Fla., purchased a Buggy Suit for her vacation to Central America and to protect her from bug bites during her evening walks and while gardening. She said mosquitoes "love her blood" and she was tired of having her arms and legs marked up with bites.

"I decided to buy one because I didn't want to use any chemicals such as bug sprays, especially because I am pregnant," she said. "The Buggy Suit has really helped me. It is comfortable to wear, it's not heavy and you can still enjoy the cool breeze that goes through the suit fabric."

The suits, which sell for $35, come in black and white and are available with different trim colors.

amswary@keysnews.com