Deep Woods Off

avoidcrowds wrote:
He's part of the BlueMan Group

Not ant more!!

There are a few alternatives to DEET including some home remedies but like many good things DEET has its down sides.

When we are camping in MN we often bring a bug tent, big, bulky but but very useful at times.

Still, you can walk into almost any store and pick up DEET and be on your way.

I used to use products with DEET until I sprayed it on myself too close to a bush. That one application of overspray was enough to kill all the leaves over the next couple of weeks. Months later with lots of care, the bush finally recovered. That incident got me thinking and researching. After that I switched to Picaridin, commonly sold as Repel Gear Smart or Cutter Advanced. Barely has a smell, works just a well, last just as long, and safe to spray on pretty much anything. I remember reading somewhere that around 50% of DEET is absorbed into the body vs about 6% of Picaridin. DEET is considered slightly toxic, Picaridin is nontoxic. If I'm going to be sitting in one area, I'll break out the Thermacell and forget the spray all together.

I guess now you will have to sand down and repaint the stepson. :B

use Sawyers permitheon.Spray on clothes,tents etc.last 6-8 weeks.Kills bugs on contact.Do not spray on yourself.Best stuff out there.Military uses it also.Cabela's has it in stock.

Melted a few plastic watches and keep it away from eyeglasses as well. Here in Minnesota we will practically bathe in the stuff when the bugs get going,,, ticks yuck

We call it "Illinois perfume." A necessity of life in such places.

MM49 wrote:
I love my Deep Woods OFF. I wouldn’t give it up for anything. Only on RV.Net could a product be bashed for working as advertised.
MM49

I didn't really read anyone saying it didn't work as advertised and some even said it worked very well. The comments were related to the OP's question/comment about it removing paint. And It is a FACT that it melts plastic and can damage painted surfaces. Not really different than some medicines that work as advertised, but have side effects unrelated to their main function.

If it comes to becoming sucked dry of blood by those danged mosquitos and becoming scabbed by black flies... or using an effective product that has some side effects, I'll go with the DEET.

I know Deep Woods OFF works and it is usually what we use but I have never fully read the label to know it would eat paint. Thanks SkinnyMan for posting.

I love my Deep Woods OFF. I wouldn’t give it up for anything. Only on RV.Net could a product be bashed for working as advertised.
MM49