We have been staying in a RV Beach site on Stone Island just South of Mazatlan. We do have no-see-ums tho not horrible but not good. We brought down with us every bug spray/repellent we could get our hands on. The ONLY one working is "Coleman Insect repellent SkinSmart DEET FREE" (as written on the front of the 6oz aerosol can). This product's active ingredient is 3-(N Butyl-N-acetyl)-amino propionic acid ethyl ester. We have tried Picaridin, Deet (have from 40% to 100%) & Lemon Eucalyptus of which NONE worked. In the States we found all these products at Walmart. So with the Coleman product being the only one working our supply of two cans is going fast. We are using nearly a can/week for two people. We are headed to Mega Super Market & Walmart to see if we can get more locally in Mazatlan. Will update if we are successful.rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Several years ago there was a thread about bug spray in MX that actually works - Autan - made by Johnson but not found in US . . http://www.scjohnson.com.mx/productos.aspx . . maybe has ingredients not allowed in US? But it works. Comes in spray or lotion or cream I think.

Returned from Walmart & Mega. The only thing either had was weak based Off and a natural spray like the Lemon Eucalyptus we already tried. NOTHING else, very disappointing.Thanks briansue. I did know of Autan and was keeping an eye out for it also but have not seen it anywhere either.Moral of the story is bring with you the spray of your choice as once you get down here there is no choice.rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Have you tried a thermacell? Doesn't involve putting chemicals all over your skin. You can get belt loop units and table top versions. I've never tried them with Mexican critters but the mosquitoes up here in PA stay away when it is burning. Highly recommended by archery hunters that spend a lot of time in the outdoors with biting critters.

Ask a Mexicano about Aután and they will double over with laughter. The last load I brought to Michoacan contained vials of 100% DEET for las garrapachas y tabanos, and there is only one treatment I know of the repels all (several hundred) varieties of of jejenes (No-See-Ums)PENNYROYAL OIL EXTRACTNot available in Mexico or California.I treat the legs of my granddaughters up to the knees and they suffer no bites. Friends and neighbors are sharp and before a week passed I had orders for a lot of pennyroyal oil. So I purchased in bulk four quarts in the USA.Even though pure DEET is effective against jejenes, I don't like to use the stuff on my kids.But Aután, and Mexican "Off" cream are useless on bug magnet people. The local joke, is to call "Off""On"

Have you tried treating your site?They are active in the am and pm and lay low on the ground until disturbed. That is what I observed. Their bites are horrific.I picked up a bottle of Ortho Home Defense (do NOT be tempted to buy the less expensive one Spectrocide this is bad stuff for pets).Ortho Home Defense comes with a sprayer and long wand. I sprayed the ground with a sweeping motion. I use it around the entire perimeter of the house and it does work/last for all other bugs for an entire year. So I thought I'd try it on the ground for the no-see-ums.With the no-see-um issue I gave it a second dose a day later sweeping the ground and they were gone.http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ortho-Home-Defense-Max-1-33-Gal-Perimeter-and-Indoor-Insect-Killer-with-Wand-0196910/203052911

Bug Spray Test for no-see-ums | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Dec 14, 2015
Ask a Mexicano about Aután and they will double over with laughter. The last load I brought to Michoacan contained vials of 100% DEET for las garrapachas y tabanos, and there is only one treatment I know of the repels all (several hundred) varieties of of jejenes (No-See-Ums)

PENNYROYAL OIL EXTRACT

Not available in Mexico or California.

I treat the legs of my granddaughters up to the knees and they suffer no bites. Friends and neighbors are sharp and before a week passed I had orders for a lot of pennyroyal oil. So I purchased in bulk four quarts in the USA.

Even though pure DEET is effective against jejenes, I don't like to use the stuff on my kids.

But Aután, and Mexican "Off" cream are useless on bug magnet people. The local joke, is to call "Off"

"On"
schlep1967
Nomad
Dec 14, 2015
Have you tried a thermacell? Doesn't involve putting chemicals all over your skin. You can get belt loop units and table top versions. I've never tried them with Mexican critters but the mosquitoes up here in PA stay away when it is burning. Highly recommended by archery hunters that spend a lot of time in the outdoors with biting critters.
rocmoc
Explorer
Dec 14, 2015
Returned from Walmart & Mega. The only thing either had was weak based Off and a natural spray like the Lemon Eucalyptus we already tried. NOTHING else, very disappointing.

Thanks briansue. I did know of Autan and was keeping an eye out for it also but have not seen it anywhere either.

Moral of the story is bring with you the spray of your choice as once you get down here there is no choice.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
briansue
Explorer
Dec 14, 2015
Several years ago there was a thread about bug spray in MX that actually works - Autan - made by Johnson but not found in US . .

http://www.scjohnson.com.mx/productos.aspx . .

maybe has ingredients not allowed in US? But it works. Comes in spray or lotion or cream I think.

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Bug Spray Test for no-see-ums

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