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

EEWally
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
Use DEET and don't worry. The worries will do more damage than the mosies.

I tested the Avon Skin-so-Soft in our home state of Montana. I fished the Bitterroot with Skin-so-Soft and was eaten alive. I quickly put on some DEET and continued in comfort....except for the earlier bites. No new bites after the DEET was applied.

I'm a retired organic chemist and I know that there are chemophobes out there. DEET has to be one of the most tested consumer products available. Use it and have fun in the outdoors!

From the mosquito infested Susitna Landing Campground, AK,
EEWaaly
PA12DRVR
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Joe b. said "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. "

I'd have to agree. Many folks say that they "camped in Alaska for 3 weeks and XYZ kept the bugs away": Most places that folks get to with RV's simply don't have that big of a bug problem and that includes most of the more popular "cities" (Los Anchorage, Fairbanks city, Talkeetna, Homer, etc). Take a hike off the trail in, as Joe mentioned, the Tangle Lakes area, or the Mentasta area or any number of spots between Los Anchorage and Glennallen. You'll find that bug problems a mile off the road (even a dirt road) are a lot different than in "civilization."

I have the same experience as Joe. A high percentage of DEET is needed, but I also have to switch brands after a week or two of using the same brand as the smell gets to be too much. Headnets and longsleeves and duct tape are good.

If I'm just out in the woods, I try to have light-colored shirts and pants with the big / over the hat type headnets. Hunting season often requires different colors.

One natural remedy that works real well is to camp after mid-September and above 3000'. :)
LenSatic
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
profdant139 wrote:
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!!

Actually, that works too. How do you think I learned this trick? (BTW, don't drink hot drinks with the hand on the arm you wear your watch! Just saying. ;))

LS
EsoxLucius
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
I'm testing the Evergreen Research SuperBand Insect Repellent coiled wristbands currently in Alaska and they seem to keep a good amount of the swarm at bay. A few stragglers still get through, but a couple dabs of DEET will keep those from biting.

http://www.bugbutton.com
roamermatt
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
This stuff works: Repel-brand Lemon-Eucalyptus insect repellent. Plant-based, no DEET.

http://www.rei.com/product/828908/repel-lemon-eucalyptus-pump-spray-insect-repellent-4-fl-oz
joe_b_
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2014
I tend to question if the Off clip ons qualify as a natural product. We have tried the Off clip ons and Thermacell devices in Canada and Alaska on past trips. Both work ok so long as there is no breeze. Plus both get expensive if used all day. As I remember the warnings on both tell you not to use them in enclosed spaces, such as tents, etc. not sure I want to be breathing those chemical fumes anywhere, with that warning.

For short term used either of the heated chemical devices might be OK to use.
sue_t
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
explorenorth wrote:
The new odourless OFF! Clip-ons work as well as DEET for my wife and I, but cost about $1 per hour to use.

x2
If we're outside just sitting, will get one going to discourage the biters from hovering.
explorenorth
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
The new odourless OFF! Clip-ons work as well as DEET for my wife and I, but cost about $1 per hour to use.
Clarryhill
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
Just read a newspaper article about a new product "Skeeter Skedaddle". Can't report on first hand results, but the outdoor section reporter was really impressed with results on Maine Black flies and mosquitoes.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Jun 15, 2014
Another vote for Avon Skin so Soft.

Fred.