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Favorite Insect Repellant
- Thread starter Ichi
- Start date
I guess it depends on what you are trying to repel.
DEET works good for insects like mosquitos, especially if you can find the 100% stuff. Does fuck all for ticks though.
For ticks, you need to treat your clothes with permethrin and use percaridin on areas where your skin is exposed.
Some people swear by drinking a couple of TBSP of apple cider vinegar every day, I've yet to really try that though.
DEET works good for insects like mosquitos, especially if you can find the 100% stuff. Does fuck all for ticks though.
For ticks, you need to treat your clothes with permethrin and use percaridin on areas where your skin is exposed.
Some people swear by drinking a couple of TBSP of apple cider vinegar every day, I've yet to really try that though.
DEET and lots of it. I think I go thru withdrawal without regular DEET applications in the warmer months! haha
I'm mosquito bait....just take me with you and you won't get bit. They will all be feasting on me. Just unfortunate pheromones...or CO2 output...or god really does hate me...or all of the above! haha
Actually, I got tired of the oil in OG Off Deep Woods staining my clothing and now use Off Deep Woods Dry.
My understanding of the effect of different concentrations of DEET in various retail products is not that higher DEET concentrations work better at repelling but that higher concentrations provide protection for longer.
I did, some years ago, buy some stuff that was 99% or 100% DEET (can't remember the brand name but there are various similar on the market) and couldn't stand it. It was like spraying 10-30 all over...just thick and greasy feeling. I supposed if I was gator hunting at night in the Everglades I wouldn't care, but for summer range time it was just awful.
I'm mosquito bait....just take me with you and you won't get bit. They will all be feasting on me. Just unfortunate pheromones...or CO2 output...or god really does hate me...or all of the above! haha
Actually, I got tired of the oil in OG Off Deep Woods staining my clothing and now use Off Deep Woods Dry.
My understanding of the effect of different concentrations of DEET in various retail products is not that higher DEET concentrations work better at repelling but that higher concentrations provide protection for longer.
I did, some years ago, buy some stuff that was 99% or 100% DEET (can't remember the brand name but there are various similar on the market) and couldn't stand it. It was like spraying 10-30 all over...just thick and greasy feeling. I supposed if I was gator hunting at night in the Everglades I wouldn't care, but for summer range time it was just awful.
With all the rain that we received earlier this year, the chiggers seem to be the worst problem in my area of Texas. Followed by mosquitos.
Received at least 80 chigger bites on my legs after helping a friend clear weeds and trim back shrubs/trees on his property this last weekend. This is something I've helped with several times over the past few years. In the past, I always commented how surprised I was that we didn't get eaten up by ticks, chiggers mosquitos. Especially since he has a lot of deer and hogs on his property. The chiggers made up for that this time.
After this last weekend, I think that I'll bathe in repellant before going out there again. Luckily I had some Triamcinolone Acetonide cream that I could apply to the bites. It takes the edge off the itching and pain. Alternating antihistamines like cetirizine hydrochloride and chlorphenamine also seems to help. But that first day after the bites flared-up, I was pretty miserable.
Received at least 80 chigger bites on my legs after helping a friend clear weeds and trim back shrubs/trees on his property this last weekend. This is something I've helped with several times over the past few years. In the past, I always commented how surprised I was that we didn't get eaten up by ticks, chiggers mosquitos. Especially since he has a lot of deer and hogs on his property. The chiggers made up for that this time.
After this last weekend, I think that I'll bathe in repellant before going out there again. Luckily I had some Triamcinolone Acetonide cream that I could apply to the bites. It takes the edge off the itching and pain. Alternating antihistamines like cetirizine hydrochloride and chlorphenamine also seems to help. But that first day after the bites flared-up, I was pretty miserable.
I ordered online some Skin-so-Soft bug repellant. Picture shows this huge bottle but what showed up was small. Anyway...
It's a pump spray bottle, not aerosol. I sprayed my feet, legs, middle, torso, etc and went blackberry picking in shorts & a T-shirt. Nary a chigger, but I had ticks crawling on me. Chiggers are de debbil. OFF works for me as well. Not many skeeters where I am.
It's a pump spray bottle, not aerosol. I sprayed my feet, legs, middle, torso, etc and went blackberry picking in shorts & a T-shirt. Nary a chigger, but I had ticks crawling on me. Chiggers are de debbil. OFF works for me as well. Not many skeeters where I am.
Sawyer
Treat cloths, let dry in the sun, done.
Shit is to bugs like crosses to vampires. Even on a hot, Spring turkey hunt nothing will come near you.
Usually I pick at least a couple of ticks off me every time I walk in the woods, but if I wear Sawyer treated cloths…nothing.
Treat cloths, let dry in the sun, done.
Shit is to bugs like crosses to vampires. Even on a hot, Spring turkey hunt nothing will come near you.
Usually I pick at least a couple of ticks off me every time I walk in the woods, but if I wear Sawyer treated cloths…nothing.
My absolute #1 favorite goes by the name 'air conditioning'. 
The picaridin/permethrin combo works fantastically, IME
Or really hot weather.
I don't have too much trouble with insects in the AZ desert
Best luck I've had after trying them all for overall effectiveness is permethrin treated clothing and Ben's 100% DEET repellent. It won't smell great and you have to be very careful using it around other accessories like watches with rubber straps (the DEET will absolutely ruin a rubber/plastic watch, ask me how I know) but if repelling the bloodsuckers is what you're after that's what's worked the best for me.
Because of the whole plastic/rubber melting components of it- I've tried the other options in various concentrations (Picaridin, I believe Lemon Euclopysis was another) and other odd products like 'bug bands' trying to find a solution that was more friendly to other gear but 100% DEET is the only product that seems to cut it (apparently my blood type is also a factor so your results may be different).
If you do go with the permethrin route- and I'd highly recommend it if for nothing else other than ticks (which are a big problem here) I'd suggest you look into your local tractor/farm supply store and get the undiluted versions of permethrin. It's not terribly expensive but far more effective and longer lasting than using the Sawyer product you'd find at your local REI, Bass Pro, Cabela's, whatever.
I will say though- before you commit/start, READ the instructions that are easily found online. You have to treat it outside because while it's safe after it's been applied to the clothing/gear, you DO NOT want to breathe it in while you're doing this process and it has to be done outside. It's easy enough but just be informed and do it properly so you protect your health. Ticks are among the scariest things out there in the woods in my opinion and this option is tops, but do it right and actually read the instructions before you start.
Again, outside, but you'll need to dilute the permethrin with water (likely in a tub), I forget what it is but something like 1 part permethrin, 20 parts water (again look it up), and you soak whatever clothing/gear you want treated in this solution and hang it to dry (or put it out in the sun) and by going this route, it'll be good for a long long time.
Best of luck to you.
-LD
Because of the whole plastic/rubber melting components of it- I've tried the other options in various concentrations (Picaridin, I believe Lemon Euclopysis was another) and other odd products like 'bug bands' trying to find a solution that was more friendly to other gear but 100% DEET is the only product that seems to cut it (apparently my blood type is also a factor so your results may be different).
If you do go with the permethrin route- and I'd highly recommend it if for nothing else other than ticks (which are a big problem here) I'd suggest you look into your local tractor/farm supply store and get the undiluted versions of permethrin. It's not terribly expensive but far more effective and longer lasting than using the Sawyer product you'd find at your local REI, Bass Pro, Cabela's, whatever.
I will say though- before you commit/start, READ the instructions that are easily found online. You have to treat it outside because while it's safe after it's been applied to the clothing/gear, you DO NOT want to breathe it in while you're doing this process and it has to be done outside. It's easy enough but just be informed and do it properly so you protect your health. Ticks are among the scariest things out there in the woods in my opinion and this option is tops, but do it right and actually read the instructions before you start.
Again, outside, but you'll need to dilute the permethrin with water (likely in a tub), I forget what it is but something like 1 part permethrin, 20 parts water (again look it up), and you soak whatever clothing/gear you want treated in this solution and hang it to dry (or put it out in the sun) and by going this route, it'll be good for a long long time.
Best of luck to you.
-LD
In the spirit of homesteading/DIY, I will mention the idea of real old-time bug repellant, such as jewelweed rubbed on the skin. I have also seen tv where Oz natives smeared wet clay on their skin, NA people supposedly used animal fat/grease, etc. One herbalist at the local farmers market this past weekend had gel caps filled with a sulphur/herb (garlic?) mixture to keep ticks off. Proven home remedies bears looking in to, imo. May come a time when we cant run to Walmart and have to fend for ourselves.
Left one (put on clothing only) for ticks and the right one for mosquitoes and flies.
Gotsta go with DEET, Ben's 30% spray is my jam. But, you know, Picaridin's got its own vibe too. Permethrin's the real game-changer though, spray it on my 'fit and I'm good to go! Combo's the move, DEET on skin, permethrin on gear, and I'm bug-free
Good God.
I feel like I just read something written by my youngest step son.
Men wear clothes. Women wear outFITs.
It's a thing.
Jam?
Vibe?
Game Changer? Did you really use that term?
Sheesh!!
The one on the left works great for fabric awning / gazebo shade walls too. Lets us set out without being bothered, or using other sprays/torches/thermocouple etc.
Lasts roundabout a month+ in the dry, half or less with the rains.
I would take those any days over a forest full of ticks...
Hell, the rattle snake is a gentleman compared to the snakes back East.
I've had numerous run-ins with rattlesnakes. More than I can count.
They aren't typically too bothered by humans, and don't want anything to do with us.
Just don't surprise one when it has nowhere to go.
Just a tip to maybe save some money.
Dog and Cat flea & Tick spray is normally cheaper than buying the Sawyer Permethrin clothing spray and even has a slightly higher concentration of Permethrin in it. Been using it for years.
Dog and Cat flea & Tick spray is normally cheaper than buying the Sawyer Permethrin clothing spray and even has a slightly higher concentration of Permethrin in it. Been using it for years.
I bought a set something like THIS quite a few years ago...I think I got it from Campmor. The head piece I have uses a collapsible hoop that helps keep the netting off of your face and I usually wear a boonie under it to also help. I keep the entire set in a gallon ziplock and give it a fresh squirt of Ben's 100% DEET every time I repack it. When I tape the sleeves to my gloves, even the swarms in Alaska were no issue. Another trick I fifured out was the burning coils. I would start one burning inside the tent and leave an escape hatch open. The bloodsuckers would vacate. Then I'd sit in there while there was still some smoke with my net gear on to drive them off the netting before I hit the sack.
Now that I am down south, sorta, and ticks and chiggers are my main concern, I am dosing myself with ACV, using permethrin on socks and pants and shoes and boots, using a peppermint soap that my wife has dosed with other stuff and picaridin if I am going to be out in the grasses.
Now that I am down south, sorta, and ticks and chiggers are my main concern, I am dosing myself with ACV, using permethrin on socks and pants and shoes and boots, using a peppermint soap that my wife has dosed with other stuff and picaridin if I am going to be out in the grasses.
Fucking chiggers...if they were the size of houseflies, you'd be dead right now.
When I was a kid, we would go visit the grandparents in chiggerland. My grandma would put some bleach and 2 BC Powders in our bath water. i am not sure how much bleach but it was strong enough to smell chlorine pretty strong. Then we were given what was likely some sort of antihistamine before bed.
Their well had a sulphur content. The water had a slight flavor and a definite odor. The old man said that after you drank that water for a while, no ticks and very few chiggers would get on you.
After you get a few chiggers you can pretty much ignore them, if you're busy, until it's bedtime. Instead of just laying there with your brain focusing on the itch dob the spots with some Orajel, or the like. Helps you get to sleep.
Thank you,
MrSmith
Thank you,
MrSmith
I always take a Thermacell with me when I go backpacking. Those things work amazing. Would not be able to eat my dinner w/o it. That's when I'm stationary tho.
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