Perhaps this question has been asked before. I searched for this issue in archives but w/ out much success.
Lately, we have been fishing about 4 nights a week. I am using Ultrathon and swimming in the stuff and I am getting bit horrendously still. I bet I have 100+ bites and resemble a poster child for West Nile. I have them on my joint areas and now they are so swollen and stiff and sore.
I need recommendations for insect repellant or alternatives. Is MORE Deet actually effective as I noticed that Ultrathon only has 25% content? We start fishing in high heat so making sure all exposed body parts is covered isn’t an option. I am using Repel Permanone on clothing as it is too.
I have Deet 98% and it actually works. I don’t have to put much on, but if need be I can lay on alot. I can’t say if more works more better or if there is a saturation point beyond witch you are wasting your deet.
As hot as it may be, can I suggest long sleeves and long pants? I can’t say I do it myself, unless I’m in a swampy area, but then again for some reason I must smell bad to the mosquitos because I don’t get bit that much and the 100% deet seems to work for me…unless again I’m in a swampy area…
I worked for the US Forest Service in Alaska and we always wore long sleee shirts and long pants. We also wore metal hard hats. Have you seen the tape attractant (yes attractant) that you can tape to top of ball cap, etc for black flies and gnats? They stick to it. You can find it at Cabala’s, mostly used by early season deer and turkey hunters. Have you tried Orvis or similar Buzz off shirt, hat, etc? I have two Orvis long sleve Buzz off’s and they appear to work for me. I also like the OFF brand wipes. After wiping down back of hands and face I put the left over wipe under my hat.
There is a company ( I think in Minnesota although it could be somewhere in Canada) that makes “Bug shirts”. The long sleeve shirts are made of a tight weave fiber that bugs cannot bite thru. They have a hood with mesh screen over the face They are expensive, about 60 bucks but they work great. I bought one about a year ago to protect me when fishing in buggy areas. They also make pants but I haven’t tried them. If you search using google or yahoo for “bug shirt” I’m sure you will find them.:shock:
This is my second season using the newer Picaridin (made by Bayer) that is toted as being the future replacement for DEET. Much more pleasant to use and is safe on plastics (i.e., fly lines!) - I’ve found it to be as effective as the DEET products I’ve used in the past.
Last year tried (and still have) the Cutter “Advanced”, which has for it’s base the newer Picaridin. Also, for Father’s Day this year, grand kids got me some of the newer (or recently came out) Avon product that contains the Picaridin, too. Just as effective, but you know that “Skin-So-Soft” aroma will get some second glances form some of the more masculine types. (LOL)
Wow, Ultrathon typically does a great job. You sure must have some tough bugs there! Personally I use the Avon Expedition spray. It contains no deet and is odor free. I have used it in Alaska in the bush, the Everglades and other real buggy places and it worked fantastically.
Avon is now also offer a new spray with Picaridin but I don’t use it as I hate the foo-foo smell associated with it. : )
Do you eat a lot of bananas? If you do, don’t. Something about the way your body processes banana oil…it really attracts mosquitoes. Instead, take B-1 Vitamins. It has the opposite effect.
We tried that new “Off Family” or something like that w/ the new Picardin. I thought it might be a wonderful change to Deet especially for my nephew who is 1 year old and for the flylines. That was the first night and I threw the bottle in the garbage that night when I got home. We also tried that new Eucalyptis, Lemon stuff. I love the smell and it worked on the nephew. I was still chewed on.
Bananas is an interesting idea…but no…I have an aversion to the mushy things.
I don’t know if we have tougher bugs, a worse mosquito hatch than before or if I am just “prone” to mosquito bites because of blood/body chemistry…but it’s horrible. I counted 10 bites on my right hand alone and I still can’t see the knuckles. It’s going to be a Benedryl nite.
Deet doesn’t agree with me very much; so, have been searching for a replacement. Wife bought some of that sunscreen lotion with the bug repellant in it and so far it’s done okay by me and it’s a heck of a lot pleasanter then any stuff with deet. I believe it’s called “Bullfrog Ultra” or “Bullfrog” something or another. Been advertised on TV a lot lately.
The 100% DEET is the only thing i’ve found to work. It doesn’t seem to stop the deer flies, though. I found that by not washing my clothes in scented detergents also helps.
Forget all that stinky stuff … it isn’t good for your body anyway. Try this, I have one and love it. I can actually see the little boogers around me in a circle - almost like an invisible force field. And believe me, we have plenty of mosquitos and no-see-ums in the greater swampland a.k.a. Florida. LOL
The Center For Disease Control says that products with picaridin are about as effective as Deet Products with the same amount of deet. Picaridin products containing 7% and 15% are the only ones available.
The CDC also says that you need products with 20% or more deet for several hours or more protection. Thus Picaridin products are not like to work well for several hours exposure. They recommend deet for several hours exposure or for exosure to heavy concentrations. The department of army testing showed that more than 50% deet does not provide additional protection. But my thought on it is that if I don’t get it spread evenly or rubbed in well then something very strong is likely to work better than weak concentration product.
I also figure I can afford to replace my fly line and waders more often than I can afford one bout with West Nile Virus. Those over 50 who contract West Nile Virus are a whole lot more likely to have a severe case of it. Also, a whole lot more likely to die from it.
They also recommend using clothing previously treated with permethrin.
The CDC recommends not using a product with sunscreen and repellent. You have to reapply Sunscreen a lot more often than you should repellent.
The CDC says other products give very little or very short duration protection.
The CDC information is based on data from the New England Journal of Medicine and department of Army studies.
This website tells more and give links to webmd, CDC, and New England Journal of medicine reports about repellents.
I usually don’t have a problem with bugs (I love garlic) - however, when I do need some protection - the good ole Muskoil works every time.
But yes - as KevinC noted - watch your fly lines no matter what you use - sprays (of most sort) will cause crazing, cracking and deterioration of the lines.
Then again - if you start slurping at the skeeters, aside of reducing the need for lunch or supper - they, for some reason, tend to go away … :?: :shock:
I’ve used Deep Woods Off for years whenever I encounter a probelm with bugs. Mosquitoes are bad but I’ve always had much more problem with, no-see-ums, biting gnats, and fleas----they all seem to like my body chemistry. Deep Woods Off has worked for me in Vermont, Maryland, West Virginia, Connecticut, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida (including the Everglades and mangrove islands) Good stuff. I may try some of those attraction stripes that you put on your hat----sounds like you could have a great contest with your friends. Fewest bugs buys the first round! 8T
