Bug Spray

[Gypsyphoenix]

Ok so I'm curious as to what kind of bug spray everyone uses. Au natural? Herbal? or Deet to the max?

What brand do you use? Any weird side effects from prolonged use? I'm not talking about ingesting or swimming in the stuff (addressing that comment right off the bat! ). What are the pros and cons if you have noticed any?

I have used Deep Woods Off before but only a couple hours twice a year when Im hunting bambi, so I dont know about everyday for a month.

Thanks everyone!!!

[jeffmeh]

20% Picaridin. That and DEET are the only compounds clinically proven to be effective, and Picaridin is much less nasty than DEET.

[thegooddoctor]

+1 on the Picaridin. I switched to Sawyers bug spray from DEET. Works just as well (or better) and doesn't have the terrible smell and taste.

[Wise Old Owl]

+2 20% Picaridin. That and DEET are the only compounds clinically proven to be effective, and Picaridin is much less nasty than DEET.

DWO = Deep Woods Off wipes. recently I tested a wipe vs a stronger product on a trail well known for Gnats and the DWO won again hands down, short of a bug net.


Keep in mind these are repellants - NOT insecticides. You could spray flies and they won't die... Tried it. The whole point is to avoid disease want the list of nasties?

[Dogwood]

20% Picaridin. That and DEET are the only compounds clinically proven to be effective, and Picaridin is much less nasty than DEET.

Like to see where you are getting that bit of info from. The studies I've seen suggest each used BY THEMSELVES(Picardin and DEET) when compared to just one other repellant are the MOST effective. I've NEVER seen a study say or suggest that they are the only compounds clinically proven to be effective. Other repellants and compounds CAN BE quite effective! See the difference?

ALSO, what clinical studies I've seen ONLY compared DEET or Picardin to ONE OTHER bug repellant. It's VERY OFTEN overlooked that two or more other repellants or bug repelling tactics used in combination CAN POSSIBLY HAVE an equal or MORE EFFECTIVE bug repelling response than DEET or Picardin. I suppose the patent holders of DEET and Picardin wouldn't appreciate that kind of study though.

WOO, I just had as my only purchasing option the Cutter DWO 7.15% DEET mosquito wipes. They DID NOT repel the gnats! No way. They did do a fair to good job of repelling mosquitos and biting noseeums for about a 2 hr period though. It's my thought they would have had a longer effective period if I had not been sweating so heavily. One of the little wipes is not enough to wipe down legs, forearms, neck, etc I had to use two wipes for that. I paid nearly $2 for the package of three wipes making this bug repelling tactic pricey to say the least!

[slbirdnerd]

Treated my shirt, shorts, socks, headband-thinggy and shoes with permethrin spray, and use Deep Woods Off Dry on my hat and skin only as needed. Seems to work great.

[Odd Man Out]

...20% Picaridin. That and DEET are the only compounds clinically proven to be effective...

Like to see where you are getting that bit of info from...

I too thought that Picaridin and DEET were the only players, but there has been recent discussion of two others, IR3535 (3-[N- butyl-N- acetyl]-aminopropionic acid) and PMD (p-Menthane-3,8-diol). The latter two are classified as biopesticides, however I find this classification a bit odd as both are also synthetic. It is just that they are made from natural substances. To me the distinction between being synthetic and made from a natural substance is arbitrary and irrelevant. You can make DEET (or just about any molecule) from natural substances, and being natural isn't relevant anyway. After all, many of the most toxic substances in the world are natural substances - being "natural does NOT make it safe.

The bottom line is that the CDC now lists these four as the best choices.

http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html#which

I found this Medscape review to be quite informative. Their review of the literature comes to the same conclusion. These are the four effective options.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/articl...11-overview#a1

[DirtyFeet]

I know this post is kind of old, but has anyone ever tried Avon's Skin So Soft? I find it repels insects pretty well, but maybe only the bugs in New York... Venturing elsewhere might require harder protection.

I have a headnet, is it worth carrying at all during the summer season next year?

[Odd Man Out]

I know this post is kind of old, but has anyone ever tried Avon's Skin So Soft? I find it repels insects pretty well, but maybe only the bugs in New York... Venturing elsewhere might require harder protection.

I have a headnet, is it worth carrying at all during the summer season next year?

SSS has been used as a bug repellent for years. However I've read about a controlled study of it and it failed pretty miserably. That was from a long time ago, so I don't have a reference for you. Other studies I've seen have tested a variety of herbal repellents. In all cases, if they worked, it was only for a short time. I believe the CDC page above is the result of a survey of many studies. However, they were reviewing repellents for application to skin. Permethrin is an effective insecticide/repellent that is applied to clothing. That is another option.

[Wise Old Owl]

SSS was a failure in Canada. Works Great in the back yard in PA - I don't buy it anymore...I am a huge fan of DWO dry!


Uh Dogwood - I don't know the circumstances - but repellants only work most of the time... Buffalo Gnats were bad this year - you might have walked into a swarm.

[lemon b]

Woodsman's Fly Dope. Side effect no one comes within 10 feet of anyone wearing it.

[DirtyFeet]

Woodsman's Fly Dope. Side effect no one comes within 10 feet of anyone wearing it.

LOL, just read some posts on this stuff - Hilarious. I found this site which lists the ingredients:
http://scorecard.goodguide.com/chemi...D%20FLY%20DOPE

CHEMICAL PROFILES|Product Profile

Product: OLE TIME WOODSMAN LIQUID FLY DOPE EPA Registration Number: 00387000002

This pesticide is used as a: REPELLENT OR FEEDING DEPRESSANT This pesticide is registered for unrestricted use. This pesticide's toxicity code is 3, which corresponds to a toxicity category of Caution.

Active Ingredients in this Product Percentage by Mass DISTILLATES, WOOD TAR 35% ACEITE DE PINO 35% DEET 27% OIL MIST, MINERAL 25% OIL OF CITRONELLA 4.7% CAMPHOR 2.9%

Seems like it contains some DEET, as well as citronella. I wish there were sample smells over the internet.

[Traveler]

I know this post is kind of old, but has anyone ever tried Avon's Skin So Soft? I find it repels insects pretty well, but maybe only the bugs in New York... Venturing elsewhere might require harder protection.

I have a headnet, is it worth carrying at all during the summer season next year?

Skin So Soft is a great example of how individualized repellants can be. Personally, I find the SSS to be more myth than anything else, but thats based on my experience with it. Body chemistry, diet, perfume or scented products on skin, and CO2 levels produced by people, all contribute to why one product may work well for one but not for another. I use 100% DEET, which may be overkill in some places but I have found it absolute essential in others. Under the tenet of "If there is a doubt, there is no doubt", I use this as my primary repellant when biting insects show up.

[Slo-go'en]

I don't use repellents, except to treat my pack and pants legs with Permethrin to repel ticks.

Dressing in bright colors and using perfumes can attract bugs. if you look and smell like a flower, how's the bug to know any different? I think that is why a lot of woman have trouble with attracting bugs (and creepy guys).

Besides dressing in neutral colors and using unscented soaps to wash with, I also take Garlic and B complex supplements which seem to keep the bugs from biting. If it's really bad sitting around camp, I'll put on my rain suit and head net, or go in the tent.

[rocketsocks]

I don't use repellents, except to treat my pack and pants legs with Permethrin to repel ticks.

Dressing in bright colors and using perfumes can attract bugs. if you look and smell like a flower, how's the bug to know any different? I think that is why a lot of woman have trouble with attracting bugs (and creepy guys).

Besides dressing in neutral colors and using unscented soaps to wash with, I also take Garlic and B complex supplements which seem to keep the bugs from biting. If it's really bad sitting around camp, I'll put on my rain suit and head net, or go in the tent.

I too take the B complex supplements, but have not heard this before...interesting though, have had only a couple skeeter bites in the last two years and was wondering why...can you elaborate?