We're headed north on the 4th and need an effective bug "deterrent" recommendation. I'll take the DEET, but really would like to know if anyone has found an effective alternative. Thanks.

My wife bought this stuff it works it called Bug Away Deet Free Ayurvedic Aromatherapyayurvedicaromatherapy.com

It is generally accepted in the scientific community that the two major things that attract mosquitoes to humans are: 1. Carbon dioxide, and 2. Body odor.Many "repellents" work by masking or hiding body odor. Many products that do not contain any pesticide at all can work. An example is Skin So Soft, by Avon. As of the Carbon Dioxide, people breathing heavily, as happens with exertion, attracts more mosquitoes. A handy excuse not to exert oneself while camping. You can always stop breathing. :)

Many times while living in the interior of Alaska, on fall moose and bear hunts, I would depend on clothing to keep the biting bugs at bay. Long pants, long sleeved shirts, cotton gloves and a head net. Used duct tape to seal off the pant's cuff, and where the sleeves met the gloves. This outfit became day ware and served as pajamas at night.But for me, DEET, is the normal thing I use. Every so often I have to change the brand of bug spray I am using as the smell of each gets to be more than I can handle after a month of use. LOL For keeping the critters out of the house or RV, we used to use a product called Buhach, which is made out of a flower, but the company has gone out of business from what I understand. It was sold in a powder and was burned, much like incense. We now use pick coils inside prior to going to bed at night. I will light one in the evenings while we are outside sitting around the campfire and then by bedtime, the bugs are dead.There are several products people recommend, but most don't work for me, as a bug magnet, which I am. The best bug protection my wife can have is to have me near by and none with bother her. LOL Most of the non DEET products do work but for a much shorter period of time for me. Try the Avon product mentioned above and see it it works for you or not. Most sporting goods shops will have a good selection of products, both with and without DEET.Sometimes it is difficult for people to really test any bug spray, as they are not camping where there are many/any bugs to begin with. A few years back a guy was telling me how well some non DEET product worked for him while staying at the Rivers Edge Campground in Fairbanks. I had to tell him I had stayed at the same park several times in the past and had seldom seen a mosquito there and I wasn't using any bug spray of any type. Most urban campgrounds just don't have a bug problem.Now, if someone tells me they camped at Tangle Lakes CG, on the Denali Hwy for a week and some product worked well, I am going to pay attention to what they have to say, as that area has always had a bug problem, for the dozen or so years we fall camped there. The same goes for the campground at Dawson's Peak in the Yukon. Great place to stop, excellent food available but they do have bugs, looking to taste you and me. LOL

X2 on SKIN-SO-SOFT by AVON. We use that all the time when outdoors around our local Natl Forest areas and parks.... We use it in a small spray bottle... Definitely good for mosquitoes for us...Have no idea how this would stand up to REAL MOSQUITOES from way up north to Alaska haha...Roy Ken

Having the dogs with me seems to work -- the skeeters go for the easy blood. DH also is a skeeter magnet. I get an occasional bite, but generally the buggers don't go for me if they have an alternative.If we're in an area darkened with skeeters in flight, I'll resort to spraying a hat with DEET and wearing that.

Anyone know of a natural bug spray that WORKS? | Good Sam Community

lizzie
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
When we were in Florida last month the rangers at our favorite state park were field testing a product called No Natz during the worst yellow fly season since 1996. They were impressed and so were we. I also wore my head net and my long-sleeved Insect Block shirt. I usually get a few bites no matter what I do, but not this time. lizzie
profdant139
Explorer II
Jun 14, 2014
OK, Len, now I see what I was doing wrong -- you leave the hot coffee INSIDE the cup, instead of pouring it directly on the bite. D'oh!!

Pure ethanol also works, administered internally. Dosage may vary.
LenSatic
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
Just a heads up for those who don't know, to kill the itch use heat! For one or two bites, a freshly poured cup of HOT coffee held against them will do the trick. Occasionally, you may have to do it twice if you can't leave it on it long enough.

We carry the reusable Hot/Cold packs that are boilable or microwaveable. Works every time. I hear that it doesn't work on poison Ivy/Oak, though. (I wouldn't know since I don't react to these plants.)

Enjoy!

LS
profdant139
Explorer II
Jun 14, 2014
I am one of those mosquito magnet people. In order to be adequately protected, I have to slather on so much 100% DEET that my lips become numb -- really -- that is my applicator gauge. Not numb? Need more DEET. That can't be healthy, but it works.

I have tried vitamin B-12. That attracts bugs with vitamin deficiencies.

I have tried eating lots of raw garlic. That attracts Italian mosquitoes.

I have tried Avon Skin So Soft. That attracts kindly middle aged ladies, which is nice, but the bugs still bite me.

I sprayed Permethrin on my clothing. My clothing received no bites -- the bugs swarmed on my wrists, neck, and face.

I tried deodorant. The bugs were no longer offended but were still attracted to my carbon dioxide. I tried holding my breath, which worked for 30 seconds at a time.

I think that those folks in Afghanistan have the solution -- a burka:

I wonder if I can get a triple extra large on clearance from the REI outlet, maybe in a goretex camo pattern??
bachrachj
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
Thanks everybody. I'll give 'em a try.
mikebreeze
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
While backpacking in New England the only thing that worked for me was Ben's Mosquito Repellant. Good stuff. You can get it from 30% all the way to 100% max deet.
mockturtle
Explorer II
Jun 14, 2014
I wear a head net but use DEET on any other exposed areas. BTW, even arsenic and cyanide are 'natural'. ;)
Tiger4x4RV
Nomad
Jun 14, 2014
I have had excellent results, tested on voracious Sierra mosquitos, with Sawyer products. http://sawyer.com/products/type/insect-repellents/

I use the permethrin treatment on my clothing (it lasts through several washes) and the controlled-release lotion on what limited amount of skin cannot cover with clothing.
sue_t
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
Having the dogs with me seems to work -- the skeeters go for the easy blood. DH also is a skeeter magnet. I get an occasional bite, but generally the buggers don't go for me if they have an alternative.

If we're in an area darkened with skeeters in flight, I'll resort to spraying a hat with DEET and wearing that.
RoyB
Explorer II
Jun 14, 2014
X2 on SKIN-SO-SOFT by AVON. We use that all the time when outdoors around our local Natl Forest areas and parks.... We use it in a small spray bottle... Definitely good for mosquitoes for us...

Have no idea how this would stand up to REAL MOSQUITOES from way up north to Alaska haha...

Roy Ken