To effectively keep bugs out of your tent during camping, consider the right choice of tent, location, and insect repellent gear. Proper camp setup reduces the chance of unwanted guests and can also be achieved through natural methods such as avoiding dense vegetation and storing food in sealed containers away from the tent.
To keep insects away from your tent and campsite, follow these simple tips:
- Inspect your tent for holes before leaving home and fix any rips or tears. Spray bug repellant around the perimeter and door of the tent. Use white vinegar and apple cider vinegar as natural bug repellents, as insects are not fond of overpowering scents.
- Apply essential oils like lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus to your skin and bedding to repel insects. Use a bug zapper that can stand on the ground on its Dynatrap recommendation. Open areas or higher ground with natural ventilation can discourage insects from congregating near your campsite.
- Wear insect repellent clothing, such as thickly woven long sleeve shirts and pants with thick woolen.
- Take along a good insect repellent, as most commercial ones contain DEET, a chemical thought to be toxic to some.
- Pitch away from standing water, avoid thick vegetation, keep it zipped up, ditch fragrances, keep it clean, burn candles, have a campfire, stay away from standing water, keep tent doors closed, use essential oils and aromatherapy, and wear an impregnated wristband.
In summary, these simple tips can help keep bugs out of your tent and campsite, ensuring a peaceful night under the stars.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| How to Keep Bugs Away While Camping and Out of Your … | But, you can use both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar as natural bug repellents. Insects are not particularly fond of the overpowering scent. You can … | koa.com |
| Is there any specific repellent that I can put under and … | Essential Oils: Apply oils like lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus to your skin and bedding. These oils repel insects. Diatomaceous Earth: … | quora.com |
| How To Keep Insects And Bugs Out Of Your Tent | Use a bug zapper. Invest in a good-quality zapper to keep bugs away from you and your tent. Look for one that can stand on the ground on its … | pitchup.com |
📹 How to Stay Bug Free When Cowboy Camping, Using a Bivvy, Under a Tarp, in a Tent, Etc
This is it, the Ultimate Guide on staying Bug Free when you are in the outdoors; Cowboy Camping, Using a Bivy, Under a Tarp, …
How Do I Protect My Tent Floor?
To ensure the longevity of your tent’s floor, follow these 11 essential tips:
- Choose a Smooth Tent Site: Select a flat and clear area to pitch your tent to prevent damage from sharp objects.
- Always Use a Tent Footprint: This protective layer safeguards against abrasions and punctures from the ground.
- Remove Your Shoes: Keeping shoes outside minimizes dirt and damages to the tent floor.
- Add a Doormat: Place a mat at the entrance to catch debris before entering.
- Roll Out Tent Rugs or Mats: Additional layers create a comfortable and protective barrier.
- Be Mindful of Furniture and Sharp Objects: Avoid placing heavy or sharp items directly on the tent floor.
- Place Stoves on a Fireproof Mat: Protect the floor and prevent fire hazards.
- Maintain Good Ventilation: Proper air flow decreases moisture build-up, reducing potential water damage.
- Waterproofing: Seal seams using a specialized seam sealer to prevent leaks.
- Keep It Clean and Dry: Regularly remove debris and allow the tent to dry out to avoid mold.
- Use Additional Protective Gear: Consider options like a tarp or ground cloth beneath the tent for extra protection against punctures and uneven surfaces.
Remember to invest in a waterproof sealant, especially from reputable outdoor retailers. For further creativity, repurpose materials like old carpets or rubber mats to bolster your tent floor's integrity. Following these tips not only enhances comfort but also extends the life of your camping haven.
How To Keep Bugs Away From Your Campsite?
Wind can help keep bugs away from your campsite, so ensure your tent door faces away from it to avoid inviting them inside. Stagnant water sources, like ponds and puddles, serve as mosquito breeding grounds, so choose your campsite wisely. Camping in dry areas is key—steer clear of bogs or swamps as many bugs, particularly mosquitoes, breed in water. While complete bug elimination isn’t feasible, there are effective strategies to minimize their presence. Consider investing in a tent with a fine mesh screen and ensure zippers and nets are functioning properly to keep bugs out.
To deter mosquitoes, avoid camping near water and maintain a tidy campsite. Use traditional bug repellent sprays or creams (DEET is a popular option), and consider natural repellents like white or apple cider vinegar, which some insects dislike. Additionally, wearing full-sleeved clothing and socks can provide extra protection.
Strategies to keep bugs at bay include lighting citronella candles, keeping tent doors closed, and setting up a campfire, which emits smoke that repels insects. Stay aware of your scent, as it can attract mosquitoes. Lastly, use essentials like impregnated wristbands or aromatherapy oils to enhance your defenses. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of an insect-filled camping experience, allowing for a more enjoyable outdoor adventure.
How Do I Keep Bugs Out Of My Tent?
To keep bugs out of your tent while stargazing, ensure openings have a mesh to block larger insects. Consider setting up a screen room for added protection and ventilation. Choose a campsite away from dense vegetation and areas with stagnant water, and keep food stored in sealed containers far from your tent. After meals, wash your utensils to avoid attracting bugs. Utilizing red lighting can also help deter insects. Inspect your tent for any holes or tears prior to departure and repair them as necessary.
Proper tent setup not only minimizes the chance of unwanted intruders but also enhances your outdoor experience. When it's time to set up camp, select a location wisely, steering clear of trash bins and long grass, where ticks may reside.
During your stay, keep tent doors and windows closed tightly, especially at dusk and dawn, to limit insect entry. Using mosquito nets and applying insect repellents—especially those containing DEET or made with lemon eucalyptus oil—are effective measures. Natural alternatives like spraying white or apple cider vinegar and using cedar chips can also aid in repelling bugs.
If insects do get inside, guide them out using bright lights placed outside your tent or simply wear insect repellent. After setting up, spray insect repellent around the perimeter and avoid leaving wet items inside, as moisture can attract pests. Ventilate your tent by keeping doors open when possible. Employing these strategies can significantly enhance your camping experience, ensuring you enjoy your time under the stars, free from insect interruptions.
What Is The Best Thing To Keep Bugs Away?
To create an effective bug-repellent barrier beyond citronella, consider using peppermint, tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus oils. These essential oils not only help deter bugs from your outdoor space but also enhance relaxation through aromatherapy. You can easily make your own bug repellent by gathering essential oils from health food stores or online. An essential part of keeping your yard bug-free is reducing foliage and clutter. There are numerous ways to combat mosquitoes without resorting to harsh chemical products, including DIY repellents.
Some effective options include lemon eucalyptus oil, which has been used since the 1940s, as well as common household items to repel various pests like silverfish and ants. To maintain a bug-free backyard in summer, manage standing water, which attracts mosquitoes for egg-laying. Popular insect repellents include citronella oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, vanilla extract, and garlic. Other helpful tips include regular bathing to reduce sweat and using vinegar to deter mosquitoes.
Foods like tomatoes can also make you less appealing to bugs. After testing over 25 repellents, Sawyer Products' Picaridin was found to be highly effective, along with unique options like Victoria's Secret "amber romance" body spray. Using hydrogen peroxide on outdoor furniture can effectively repel bugs and eliminate insect eggs.
Do Tents Keep Bugs Out Of Your Space?
Tents are effective at keeping bugs out, but wear and tear over time can create holes that compromise this barrier. To reduce insect presence around your tent, choose a suitable camping location that avoids dense vegetation and standing water, like ponds and lakes, which attract mosquitoes. Store food in sealed containers away from the tent, clean utensils after meals, use red lighting, and avoid proximity to refuse bins commonly frequented by flies. Ensure your tent is thoroughly inspected for holes before departure and keep it zipped at all times to prevent unwanted guests.
Using insect repellents, such as DEET, picaridin, and essential oils, as well as employing individual methods like screen walls or mosquito nets, can further enhance bug protection. Set up a clean campsite devoid of debris, and carefully evaluate your tent for potential entrances for insects. Screen rooms serve as excellent alternatives, providing a bug-free space while allowing fresh air and outdoor views.
Always ensure food and other attractants, such as hydration equipment, are stored outside the tent to minimize chances of attracting bugs. A well-maintained tent and a conscientious camping setup—combined with natural repellents like fragrant plants—can guarantee a serene and enjoyable outdoor experience, free from the annoyance of pests. With proper care and vigilance, your camping sanctuary can remain undisrupted by insect intrusions, promising a peaceful escape into nature.
How To Insect Proof Your Tent?
To keep bugs out of your tent during camping trips, employ a combination of effective strategies. First, treat the outside of your tent with permethrin, and set it up within a bug canopy. Surround the tent with diatomaceous earth and use tiki torches containing citronella while also fogging the campsite. Proper camp setup plays a vital role in minimizing unwanted bugs. Choose your tent location wisely: avoid dense vegetation and stagnant water bodies like ponds and lakes, which attract mosquitoes. Store food in sealed containers and wash utensils promptly to prevent attracting bugs. Utilize red lighting and keep your tent zipped, especially at dawn and dusk.
Before departing, thoroughly inspect your tent for any holes, rips, or tears, ensuring seams and zippers are sealed. This precaution will significantly reduce the chances of insects entering your tent. When packing, avoid bringing along items that may attract bugs. After you've set up, spray insect repellents around the perimeter and entrances of your tent. Natural alternatives like white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used, as insects are deterred by their strong scent. Additionally, placing a groundsheet or tarp beneath your tent will create a barrier against crawling insects.
Implementing these strategies—selecting the right tent location, maintaining tight seals, and effectively using repellents—will enhance your camping experience by providing a bug-free sleeping environment. By following these tips, you can enjoy peaceful nights in nature without disturbances from pesky insects.
Can You Spray Insect Repellent On A Tent?
Spraying chemical insect repellents like DEET on a tent is not advisable due to potential damage to its waterproof rating and toxicity if ingested by humans or animals. Instead, permethrin, a substance safe for application on tents and clothing, should be used. To effectively manage bugs inside your tent, one effective method is to guide them outside by using a bright light. While it's important to minimize insect presence in your tent, having insect repellent readily available is beneficial. DEET remains a strong choice for repelling mosquitoes and ticks. Direct use of standard skin bug sprays on tent materials can be harmful; hence, permethrin is the better option.
Proper tent setup and location choice can significantly reduce bugs in your camping area. For instance, avoid pitching your tent near standing water and consider the environmental surroundings. Applying permethrin to the inner tent and insect netting is crucial for preventing ticks and mosquitoes from entering without affecting the waterproof rain fly.
Using candles or insect repellent coils outside the tent can help deter insects effectively. Some campers prefer spraying their tent’s exterior, though this could lead to strong odors. To ensure your space remains bug-free, consider additional measures like sealing seams and zippers with duct tape, using waterproofing sprays, and burning sage near the campsite.
When treating the non-waterproof inner sections of your tent, it's essential to opt for water-based permethrin, as petroleum distillates can degrade waterproof coatings. Generally, aerosol repellents should be avoided inside the tent because they can affect fabric integrity. Overall, employing the right insect repellent supplies, tent setup, and location can make a substantial difference in reducing bug intrusions.
What Is The Best Natural Bug Repellent For Camping?
Citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree oils are effective at deterring insects. You can make a homemade repellent by combining a few drops of these essential oils with a natural carrier like coconut oil or witch hazel, applying it to your camping gear. Cedarwood is also a strong deterrent. For commercial options, Coleman Insect Repellent is noted as the best overall, while REPEL Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent is praised for its natural ingredients.
Permethrin is an insecticide that kills bugs on contact, making it useful for camping. Natural repellents like essential oils, garlic, and citronella can also help keep mosquitoes away. DEET, while effective, is a neurotoxin and its mode of action against mosquitoes is not conclusively studied. Using mosquito nets can create a barrier if sleeping outdoors, while applying bug repellents containing DEET or Picaridin on exposed skin can enhance protection.
Natural repellents are gentler on the skin and environmentally friendly. Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar can serve as natural repellents due to their strong scent. Lemongrass, spearmint, and peppermint are also effective in keeping pests away. Notable products for camping include ThermaCell EX90 for RVs, Murphy's Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito and Tick Repellent Spray, and many others. Avoid using strongly scented deodorants and body products while camping, as they can attract bugs. Top nominees for repellents include Sawyer Picaridin and Ranger Ready Picaridin. For a convenient solution, Thermacell E90 offers up to 10 hours of protection and is rechargeable, enhancing your camping experience without the hassle of constant reapplication.
📹 How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Tent Ep. 5 (Summer Series)
If you’re spending time in nature, you’ll likely run into bugs, but that doesn’t mean you have to invite them into your tent. Check out …
Idaho has swarms of mosquitos that can block out the sun, so when I started summer work as a Forest Service lookout, I soon found out that spraying my shirt, pants, hands, neck and face with 100% DEET was essential. The pointy little buggars avoided the knob my lookout was built on, but once I hiked a mile down to my water-point and was in heavy timber near moisture, here they came. The DEET deterred them from landing on me, even though several wings of heavy bombardment mosquitos would orbit me for about half the trip back uphill. . . until I reached the point where it was too dry and windy for their liking. They would fly back home, hurling curses at me all the way.
As a journeyman lineman, walking through any terrain & working in such areas where flying/crawling insects are over abundant, we used Avon’s Skin so soft & D.E.E.T. To treat clothing & skin. However, a very ~Old School~ tried & true method is to place a thin cloth over an active ant hill & stir them up! Let the ants sting the invading cloth until the frenzy is over, then take the cloth & rub it on exposed skin. For some reason, the venom repels nearly every other insect for a day or two (depending on environment/conditions). Campfire smoke is also a good skin cleanser, as well as a good repellent. So, if you run out of spray, those are reliable go-to’s…
Background: I got chronic Lymes from a tick 10 yrs ago and counting. Did my homework on repellents Anyway, I put a big tarp out, lay all my outdoor clothes and use a garden sprayer to do the whole bunch at once. Same w tents, tarps etc. If youre in a rush, you can dry them in a clothes dryer. General guideline for full effectiveness is “6 weeks or 6 washings”. If it’s a rolled/ folded tarp in a bag….lasts much longer. You can buy 10% concentrate by the quart / gallon from a farm/ livestock vendor and save a bunch of money. 1 quart 10% Permethrin ~ $20 @ Tractor supply. Just remember to dilute it down to 5% (20:1). Re: DEET vs. Picardin. DEET unquestionally is more effective in general. Too bad it melts plastic😔. Picardin is great for mosquitoes, not not great for ticks but no melted plastic. Natural repellents: kinda-sorta work if not too many bugs around. I wouldn’t trust them to keep me safe. Permethrin binds tightly to the fibers in fabrics enough that it takes 6 rounds in a clothes washer to get it out. Sweat or drenched clothes are safe. Also interesting to note that there’s an enzyme in your skin that deactivates/ detoxifies Permethrin. So even if some gets on you…still not a problem. Cats dont have this enzyme so they can become very ill if exposed….. especially to not yet cured permethrin on fabrics.
DEET is bad to melt many kinds of plastics, and is therefore rough on many bits of gear. Some good academic research was done a few years ago that found that Picaridin was equally effective. I use Sawyer brand Picaridin lotion, which is not smelly or oily like DEET, and you won’t know you are wearing it 5 minutes after application. Very good results in mosquito infested woods near my house. And here’s a tip for reducing ticks crawling up the inside of your pants: Make some tick gaiters that you treat with Permethrin, I use extra large cotton tube socks and cut out the foot part, then after treatment has dried, I put the gaiters over my pants and tuck them in my shoes, which forces climbing ticks to the outside of your pants leg. Yes, it is not the finest fashion, but a light color also helps you glance down and see the spots. Because you are not sweating up the foot part, you don’t need to wash the gaiters as often as regular socks and can stretch the treatment out over more miles.
After seeing how DEET dissolved nail polish, I haven’t used it again. Not that I care about nail polish, but who knows what else it’s going to damage. I use Picaridin-based repellent, reapplying it often – it doesn’t seem to give me any rashes or damage gear. In Australia, the other thing you want in some places is a fly-net for your hat, the flies go for the moisture in your eyes and are extremely persistent, eeeurgh. Also carry some tiger balm for leeches in wet areas and a tick remover in the first aid kit.
GREAT SEGMENT!!! In California, we’ve noticed that Deet (between 25% up to 100%) is very effective in certain parts (So Cal mountains). But interestingly enough, up towards the Mammoth area we found that Picaridin (another Sawyer product) was more effective than any Deet product. So we’ve purchased a bunch of both, test and then apply whatever works the best.
My dad was both an eagle scout and worked for OSHA and chaperoned adolescent backpacking ventures: he had deet on us for places with swarms of blood suckers, and probably would also have for avian bird flu if we had been younger. When I asked, he said not to switch, and especially not to use component mixtures at a time. (I am also half-Australian, and if you know Chem history or conservation history, you will know DDT never went to the A.u.) Permethrin on the edges of clothes applied with ppe is the only + to that I have for outdoor use. Other than that, it was always Avon’s skin so soft, which (is?) okay for babies, until I had a hard time finding a local rep, then I switched to essential oils. (One I didn’t hear mentioned). Home defense with essentials is now what I use for household pesticide Scabies can be covered with nailpolish, they will die and not be contagious and you won’t get cancer from permethrin if it isn’t on your skin. (He said) nailpolish is also carcinogenic, just not as much as permethrin. (But it gets Rx???!) I’m still wondering about the keeping vermin and insects away “while sleeping” part, though. The last convo I had on the topic was circa 2013-14, Yeh yep,
I’ve used both the Sawyer Permethrin treatment for my tent and clothes AND I tried the Sawyer Picadirin repellent spray together. I regret that the Sawyer Picadirin repellent was a bust. I applied a very generous amount to my arms, legs and face at 5 p.m. and went to fly my RC plane at the local park and by 8 p.m. I was getting eaten alive by the mosquitos! 3 hours later and it was as if I applied nothing at all. I really was hoping the Picadirin, which is a synthetic version of a Chrysanthemum extract, would work as well as the Permethrin spray but it didn’t for me. Great articles, keep up the good work. 👍
As far as a natural repellent is concerned, my daughter is an avid Spartan Racer, which takes her through the wilderness in many states across the nation. As a racer, she is constantly crawling on the wet ground surface and getting into insect potent areas. She has been using a natural lavender liquid to repel most of the bugs that you mentioned, with satisfactory results. I’m in my late fifties, and have been going to some of her races that are local to me to do photo sessions of the races and used the lavender too, and had zero ticks and fleas on me when I’m finished. Flying gnats don’t seem too annoyed by the lavender, but I’m not as concerned about their presence as I am the other pesky bugs. Try it if you haven’t already. Hope you like the smell of lavender.
Permethrin is the bomb. Used to live in a house in the woods. Spary your boots, socks and pants and you can litterally watch the tick start to crawl up and die. Another idea, for flea and tick control around the house. Soak cotton balls in permethrin put the cotton balls in a samll pvc tube and put it where mice and voles tend to roam. The mice grab the cotton for bedding and then the bugs on the mice and the insects die. Mice\\voles are a major vector for ticks and fleas.
I applied Permethrin before my Appalachian Trail hike for ticks. I used minimal like you said mostly on openings of pants, socks, shirt. Only one loose tick. Rapplied only once in 7 months. BUT it is HIGHLY toxic to butterflies and bees so directions on my can said avoid applying where can get spray into wildlife pollinator areas. I never had mosquitoes while walking but carried lemon eucalyptus 30% “Repel” the ONLY natural repellant rated effective by Consumer Reports. So when people complain about naturals…they probably haven’t used the correct natural! (I’m visiting Alaska and can’t find a single store that carries the correct natural repellant!). Thanks!
I’m careful with any of the chemical stuff man. I’m talking about the repellant stuff that you put on your skin. We don’t know what long therm effects this stuff has. + thank you for the gear treatment advise! Gonna try that for sure. But overall, I don’t have a lot of problems with them, at least not when I’m awake doing things, mosquito stings don’t really annoy me. I’m not allergic to them. Also bigger biting Flys are okay to deal with. And the ticks: I just control my legs and clothing regularly and flick them away. After 6 years in the outdoors now I only had one tick really sucking my blood.
For my gear, I get permethrin from a large-animal supply house in a super-concentrated gallon jug. I put 3 oz of that in a 5 gallon bucket of water. I then soak all of my gear/clothes in the bucket, wring them out lightly, and put them on the line to dry. I have found this will last MUCH longer than spraying the items with a surface treatment. On my skin, I use picaridin, and have found that to be quite effective in all environments. One major advantage of picaridin over deet is that unlike deet, picaridin won’t attack plastic/nylon/polyester/cork or otherwise destroy gear.
Coming from Scotland, in the heat of Summer our midgies are insufferable monsters, and honestly the only thing I find that is genuinely, consistently, effective at keeping the swarms away is the smoke from a pipe or a campfire until the wind picks up or the temperature dops enough for them to sod off.
I love cowboy-camping. Feels so liberating for some reason. However, here in Florida, it can get rough. I purchased the Friendly Swede bug net and can clip it to a ridgeline and it is fairly decent. I did have to make some mods because it doesn’t leave you with adequate room inside. Some areas, the netting is literally touching you, and bugs can bite you through it.
I’ve worked on several shoots in swampy areas loaded with ticks and mosquitoes. My boss at the time encouraged me to take B vitamins for a month before the shoot (heard this has been debunked). On top of that I ate a lot of Zankou garlic chicken with the garlic paste (a Los Angeles chain) before the shoot (the full month before). In both South Carolina (one of the Barrier Islands) and New Orleans, I was the only crew member who never had a problem with ticks (some were infested with them on a daily basis) and never suffered from mosquitoes (one landed on my arm and immediately took off). Now, it could be that I was the blood type that mosquitoes hate, but that doesn’t explain the lack of ticks. I can’t use insecticides of any sort. Makes me sick immediately, can even taste it in my mouth when someone sprays my legs trying to be “helpful”. I can’t even walk through the insecticide part of the gardening department. I get sick immediately.
Wisconsin here. My brother treats his boots with the same drops you would treat between your dogs shoulders to protect it from ticks. He swears that he never gets ticks when he does this. Not sure what the chemical is called but a few drops protects your pet for up to 3 months so I would assume a liberal amount applied to the outside of ones boots or outer clothing would last at least that long and protect you pretty well. Now for mosquitoes we use 100% deet and it works fairly well. I don’t like the smell or the greasiness it leaves on me so I dont usually apply it directly on my skin unless I really have to. In my experience plant based repellents are garbage and anything less than 100% deet is ineffective against thick clouds of mosquitoes. Even with bug spray it can get pretty bad around these parts in the summer. So bad you dont want to leave the protection of a screened tent, even in sweltering heat it’s sometimes just more comfortable to sit and sweat rather than battle the bugs on the outside of your tent. I’ll have to give the permethrin a try.
I have used permethrin on tent/gear/boots. This summer I found a permethrin spray that can be used on skin. I needed to repel horse flies in this case. Anyway, worked well. Any horse fly that landed on me immediately took off again. Mosquitoes were not bad this year, but it is supposed to work on them as well.
I used to work with a national service center for scouting and we sold sawyer’s promethium quite a bit, I would even say heavily. Never used it myself but I am told from all types of outdoorsman, it really works. Have been thinking about some of my gear and it being a good idea. I am convinced now, if you say it works, I will certainly trust it until proven otherwise. Thank you for the info behind the product, education always makes for better, more informed decisions! 👍
Great article, if anyone hasn’t heard of a thermocell yet, it works wonders keeping all kinds of flying bugs away, specifically mosquitoes, if it’s not too windy. Used it in a creek bed in east Texas in late summer a few times while bow hunting for some hogs, complete game changer on willingness to stick it out. It works so good that I question smelling it myself when the wind shifts directions. Hope this helps someone. Permethrin would be for that windy situation you need something to stick around.
I’ve used an essential oil blend diluted in water and sprayed on my skin and clothes that worked very well out in BC’s Okanagan in an area with thick swarms of mosquitoes. That stuff smells good and keeps the bugs off. It’s also safe to use on your skin and you may get the side effect of healthier skin if you use it. IDK how it works for flying bugs in other parts of the world but that was my experience with it.
I live in Maine. I am not a big fan of using chemical on my skin, that said I have used DEET on my clothing openings (shirt collar and cuffs etc). I have not had a lot of trouble with ticks, again that said I do eat a lot of garlic. Regarding Permethrin, I am a solid believer in using that on everthing. I have found that it works extremely well! CB Spady
Thanks, Mr. Luke, for the attention you paid to this topic. Permethrin… who’d a thunk it?! Thanks for the tip. Good stuff. And thank you to everyone else who also chipped in and commented. Again, good stuff. I grew up in Florida, and mosquitos can be really bad, especially in years when it rains every day but not hard. I noticed that torrential rains can drown them, and they seem to remain absent after a really strong torrential rain for up to 5 weeks, sometimes. Bad hurricanes seem to clear out the spiders and scorpions for up to 7 years. (Go outside with a headlamp, sometime, after dark, while you walk your dog. All the spider eyes in the grass reflect the headlamp’s light right back to your eyes. The spider eyes’ retinas shift color (like a sherbet orange to sherbet lime green, and slightly shift position.) In years in which a hurricane has not been seen in over 10 years, all the teeny-tiny spiders in the grass are everywhere! One cannot walk without stepping on many of the little critters with every step! After a strong hurricane, they are completely absent, and they remain absent for several years. However, as bad as I thought mosquitoes were in Florida while I was growing up, I discovered that the mosquitoes in New Orleans, Louisiana are MUCH worse! In 1978, when my Boy Scout Troop 341 traveled to New Orleans for a 2-week summer trip with our troop’s specially-customized school bus, we camped on Scout Island in New Orleans. The mosquitoes came in as squadrons, in sequentially organized waves (I kid you not), and those buggers laughed at insect repellent—even DEET!
In northern NJ and upstate NY I treat my shorts and shirts with permetherin and I carry and use the same deet you show on the article for my skin. The only times I found a tick on myself was while hiking in cooler weather and did not use the deet thinking the ticks were only around in warm temps. Not so.
I started using permethrin many years ago and there is nothing better. Everything fabric other than underwear and you don’t have to worry about bugs. If skin is exposed you might consider the repellent in addition. When you wash your clothes use a gentle cycle little to no detergent and hang dry and treatment can last up to a year depending on how many wash cycles. Sigma 3 Survival has a great article on how to treat your clothing and such. It doesn’t require full strength so it can be diluted to cover more materials and still be effective
I live in AZ, and I do my workouts outside because that’s where my bench and weights are. We do have a moderate amount of mosquitos from time to time depending on the scarce rainfall. I normally use Repel Lemon Eucalyptus DEET – Free insect repellent. I actually enjoy the smell and have never had any adverse reaction to it. It seems to do the job well in my experience!
Love your articles- have learned a great deal and like relaxing to them at the end of the day. Will definitely be trying the permethrin on my gear- just recently relocated to North Carolina and the insect life is vastly different than where I’m from (Illinois). Would be awesome to see you one day out in the wild. Peace brother.
One year I was drinking an all day energy greens drink and I didn’t get bit at all that year, I even sat where there was a bunch of mosquitoes and they didn’t even bother me. But as for mosquito repellent I usually don’t use any because I don’t eat very much sugar at all. Thanks for the article, take care.
Permethrin is one of the treatments for mites in peoples hair. Our blood chemistry prevents it from being toxic. Same for dogs. Sweat and water have do not cause it to be toxic for us. It is the rubbing of clothing during washing that reduces the amount of time it is effective. IIRC, it does repel certain insects for a certain amount of time (read the label).
I did several long distance hikes in Scotland UK where is infamous for midge swarms. The stuff I personally use is “Avon skin-so-soft” lotion, and it works like a charm for me. I learned this from several experienced hikers. One of them is a retired British special force, and his unit used to (most likely still is) order this lotion by crates. I have no idea why it works so well but it smells great and if it is good enough for ladies it is certainly good enough for me.
I live in KY and 100% DEET is all I use. I try to buy it in a pump sprayer package rather than aerosol spray. The DEET never expires in the container, but the gas will escape from the can over time. I buy at the end of the summer when it is heavily discounted and it never goes bad, so when you buy makes no difference. I find that the best way to use it is to spray some on a handkerchief and then rub it on my skin and clothes. It seems less oily that way. Then I put the cloth into a freezer bag and reuse it next time. We have chiggers here, so I do spray a good dose on my shoes and socks to keep those guys from climbing my leg up to my nether regions. Treating my socks and shoes with the Permethrin may be a better solution for that if it does, indeed, kill chiggers. Does it?
Thanks. Good to know sir. I used to hunt where there were what’s called “Deer Flys” and mosquitoes. I just wore a snow troopers cotton suit which I had dyed Olive Drab as well as a light set of gloves and a boonie style hat with integral mosquito net when heading to the woods. With that combo I could approach animals quite closely, primarily I believe, because the head net hid my face shine.
I spray all of my gear, tents, tarps, backpacks, hats and scarfs with Permethrin and I never have an issue with ticks or fleas. Wearing a long sleeved tee treated with it while sleeping at night, even in the summer works best with mosquitos, gnats and no-see-ums. I also will treat mosquito netting and drape it over my sleeping area for added protection.
I have used permethrin for years. Walked through tick a chigger country 3-4 feet high with no bites. I use permetherin in concentrate form bought from a farm store like tractor supply. Using 10% concentrate mix 20 to 1 with water in a prefered jug. Pour into a spry bottle applicator. Spray on your clothing lightly until you can see a change in color. Let dry completely.This will give you the .05 strength used by the military and much cheaper than buying spry cans.
Northern Minnesota here, bad bad bad mosquitos and ticks with lyme disease. I found 20% picaridin sprays works better than the deet. I can tell it works because the only spots I will get bit is on the spots I missed, like behind the ears, or back of my hands. picaridin seems to work better from my testing. It also does not dissolve plastic like deet, does not make you greasy, and all around seems better.
I was turned on to Permethrin by my hunting buddies and have been treating my outdoor clothing with it for a few years now. It is fantastic. I can sit in in the brush for a week when turkey hunting and have zero ticks, biting insects, etc. I use Picaridin on my exposed skin (almost as good as DEET, but not oily and it doesn’t destroy synthetic materials like DEET does).
I worked many years in Arkansas as a geologist. Field work for us started in the fall with the leaf drop to leaves on oak trees being the size of mouse ears in the Spring, then it ended. During that time, ticks and mosquitos are not too big a problem due to the cooler weather. However, we have a nice little blood sucking mite called a chigger! They are crawlers and love tight places, like around your ankles, behind your knees, crotch, etc. To avoid them, we tried various insect clothes sprays, and that was somewhat effective, but the best, most effective treatment was flowers of sulfur, either dusting on body before getting dressed, to taking as a daily pill. The pill is effective all over…because as you sweat, it comes out in that sweat and coats your body, especially in the vital areas mentioned above. Of course you stink, but if your field partner uses it too, then you get used to it…go nose blind, so to say. This treatment is also very effective against ticks, both dog ticks and seed ticks, too. It does not work to my knowledge with mosquitos.
I treat my clothing and gear with permethrin and use Cutter insect repellent lotion on skin. For the yard, or other campsite where I am allowed to spray, I use a home made concoction recommended by Jerry Baker. He is a master gardener who has authored numerous books on lawn care. This insect repellent spray is less toxic to pets and kids. I find that it works very well. I’ve used it for years since my kids were young. 1 cup ammonia, 1 cup Listerine mouthwash, 1 cup of either Palmolive or whatever brand dish soap you use or 1 cup of flea shampoo for dogs(usually contains…guess what!) one cup tobacco “tea” (Take 1 gallon warm water, drop in two large pinches of the cheapest chewing tobacco you can find, let steep until tea color. Works faster in the sun.) Finally, add 1 shot of the cheapest whiskey you can get. The bugs find tobacco juice disgusting, the soap gives them diarrhea, ammonia blinds them, nuthin livin likes the taste or smell of Listerine! Those that don’t die will go next door! oh, the whiskey is just a wetting agent. If you don’t believe me you can try a shot and wet your whistle (but you may wish to upgrade in that case!). All joking aside, I really do use this stuff!
I use permethrin on my clothes, a 20% picaridin spray on my skin instead of DEET, and if mosquitoes are really bad, I’ll carry a Thermacell. I like picaridin better than DEET, because it isn’t greasy, doesn’t have an outdoor, and doesn’t harm plastics or synthetic fabrics, and studies indicate it’s just as effective as DEET. The combination of all 3 products is extremely effective in my experience.
I came across this device at Walmart made by Thermacell that uses Allethrin. Seemed to work very well considering that I was in mosquitoe infested swamp land. I only used it once so far but was quite impressed. You just insert the butane cartridge, insert the insecticide pad and light it. It takes up to 15 minutes to create the protection barrier so it’s definitely not for use while hiking. Thanks for the advice. I will definitely be using permeferin
For those not too keen on using DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil does provide a very similar style of protection to the scent you give off. Most insects are drawn to one of three things. Co2 “smell,” sweat “smell,” and heat. Both DEET and lemon eucalyptus oil do a very good (and similar) job of changing the “smell” of the Co2 and sweat.
I grow mint. Lots of mint. Anyway, I harvest about half a pound of leaves from several cultivars and boil them. After 20 minutes at boil, I cool it off, pour the liquid through a coffee filter, then spray it wherever I don’t want ANY kind of bug or rodent. I also add mint tincture to my homemade laundry soap.
This was a article I was waiting for from someone. I’ve seen how bushcrafters build their fires and say it keeps bugs away but I’ve always thought there had to be something stronger. I live in a tropical island and we have centipedes, scorpions, spiders and other bugs along with snakes, rats and other bigger pests. I’m afraid of camping cowboy-style and having a rat crawl over me while I sleep…
The US Army did a study in Alaska a while back. They put troops in the field with a treated uniform and deet, just deet, just a treated uniform, or neither. The combination of the permethrin treated uniform and deet produced a 99% reduction in mosquito bites. The deet product they used is available for civilians from 3M. It’s a 30% deet product called Ultrathon. The deet is micro encapsulated and is released over 12 hours so you don’t have to keep reapplying as often.
What I use depends on what I do. For day hikes or just every day use, I do prefer a “mild” repellant, like the one from Ballistol. In less mosquito infested areas, I normally do not get bitten to much, so this works great for me. If I am out photo hunting animals and have to crawl through tick infested areas, I use DEET in high concentration for clothes and skin. Will have a look at permethrin products thou. Does anyone has experience with that stuff on waxed canvas? Will it work? Will it stay on there? When I still lived in a house with a garden, I had lavender in the areas I used to “hang around,” for example around my bbq. Kept most of the annoying bugs away, but attracted bees, humblebees (not a problem) and yellow jackets (definitely a problem when you try to eat while they try to steal your meal).
I’m a car camper and I always pick a site with power. I find the best bug repellent is a fan and when they are real nasty two fans. flying insects have a hard time navigating when there is any amount of wind and fans provide plenty of wind. As a side benefit they are cooling during the summer. My skin cannot handle DEET.
I just found out about permethrin this past year. Used it on my clothing and day pack before heading down to the Red River Gorge area for a week of hiking and kayaking activities. No bug issues. Same time I also learned about picaridin repellent and subsequently used it in combination with the permethrin. Again, never had a problem with bugs the entire time. What are your thoughts on picaridin, if you’ve tried it?
For the record: “Exposure to Permethrin can cause headache, dizziness, fatigue, excessive salivation, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting.” I like wearable bug nets, hoodies and wind. I’ll try the lemon eucalyptus too. DEET? come now people, read up on this stuff before you assume it must be safe since the ARMY uses it. Gone are the days when Uncle Sam treats it’s own like family…
If you have absolutely nothing and you’re in woods or an area where the American Beauty Berry grows, test with one leaf first by crumbling in your hand and wiping on the top of your hand. If no reaction, take all the leaves off one bough and repeat the process all over your body and clothes. It will especially help with mosquitoes and ticks. The berries are also edible. You can also take several boughs and place around your sleeping area. I even use them in my pig pens and it really helps them (plus they eat the leaves and they love it!)
Tea Tree Oil. Lemon Eucalyptus oil are very good. Natural products. Avon Skin-so-soft is the best man made stuff we ever used, back in the days. It smelled good and kept everything away. I don’t know what was in it, but it worked. Of course Beauty Berry, which grows plentiful down here in GA. Unfortunately it blooms in fall, when the bugs are dying down. if I remember correctly.
Here in Maine when I am trail making for mountain biking I use Deep woods off I think it is roughly 30% deet not sure on exact % . mainly the ticks is what I am worried aboutbecause it is daylight. And mosquitos don’t get thick until dusk. I spray my waist and pants and socks. have good results with that
i used to make a handcreme based with beeswax, vitaminE, olive oil to soften mix, a pinch of lecithin mixed with aloe vera gel and some other tinctures like skin clear, and tea tree oil as an antibiotic to help eczema on my palms. Found it helped with dry skin and maybe sunburn. When walking Hurricane Ridge we stopped in the heather to enjoy our lunch but the black flies were soon fighting deer fly qnd mosquitos for feeding space on our exposed skin and thin clothing. I rubbed the emulsion on exposed skin and all those blood suckers formed a thick screen about 10cm around me but would not land or bite. A friend from down under can’t use tea tree since he comes from the same area where it grows and is allergic to it but i bet it warded off those critters for me.
I spray permethrin all over my tent right after I set it up. What a difference. No more spiders crawling on my tent or hiding under the rain fly. No more mosquitoes hanging out on the mesh buzzing away. No more flies landing on my tent. No more bugs crawling in the zippers when I open my tent. Spray that stuff on everything. Folding chairs, tents, boots, tarps, car seats…
Been in tick country for a long time, and I’ve used this stuff for years. I’ve watched ticks walk half way up my treated boots, and turn back around and crawl back down. I use it on just about everything fabric at this point. I also use it to combat the ticks in the field. By putting it on cotton balls and hiding them in PVC tubes around my land where mice are likely to find them, the mice will make nests with the treated cotton balls killing the tick nymphs on the mice. There’s been a noticeable decline in ticks on my dogs and I over the last couple years.
Here in the UK midges can be a real nightmare, horse flies are evil but we still have plenty of mosquitos but barely no harmful spiders. Pacirid tends to suffice but in the Scottish Highlands in summer DEET is definitely the way forward. Some menthol decongestant chest rub behind the ears helps keep most of them away from your face.
I use product called nature care. It’s peppermint oil Eugenia ( camphor oil ) surfactant ( Dawn ) and water . not only does it keep bugs away but rats and snakes hate the smell of mint. I use it mostly no the zipper and around the door area . if I have my screens open will spray them as well. We have noseems in fl.
I am a big fan of permethrin. It works great as you state. A word of caution regarding some insect replents and plastics. They don’t work well together. Not necessarily permethrin but especially skin sprays will break down some plastics like those on sleep pads & pillows. I strongly recommend when you get back from your hike/camp to wash down the items that come into contact with body sprays. It’s always a trade off. I also use body sprays but cover my exposed plastics. Common sense but you don’t want to compromise your gear. Especially on a long thru hike. Great & informative article. Spot on for dealing with the bugs! Thanks!!!
I’ve been using Ben’s for years now. I love in New Jersey – skeeter country and have hiked the state parks. The worst I encountered was in and around the Shenandoah Valley. I was with a group in a geology field course. The ticks were, putting it mildly, abundant. My classmates were offering me good money for a few drops of Ben’s.
Used 98% DEET on the mosquito coast. Didn’t work much for mosquitos there on. Worked better in the mountaind. It did nothing if you disturbed a fire ant nest under the ground. You just had to run from the spot, smash the ones that bit you, then pull out their continuously biting heads. Man, don’t miss that.
Canadian here in South-Western Ontario we famously get pretty crazy horse flys,black flys, mosquitoes and in some spots ticks too. Due to Permethrin being a highly toxic chemical to aquatic animals the sprays and liquids are considered a controlled substance here…Deet 30-100 is has proved to be effective in repelling these pests from the body and thermacell is incredible at pushing insects away from a camp site. (as long as its not too windy) With those 2 items I have camped in places that could potentially put a person at serious risk of exposure with no problems.
actually, for car camping I’m using a product I discovered in Japan! Mosquito coils. Just put one on each of the four corners of camp and it actually does a pretty good job. Each one covers about a 6 foot radius, depending on wind and such. I know they make some pricier electric doohickies with cartridges and stuff, but I haven’t personally tried those yet. Just the good old mosquito coils, mostly for mossies ofc
Great episdoe, thanks! I’ve used all types of natural insect repellants. As you suggest here, some of them have only worked for me when there weren’t a lot of insects about; and many others haven’t worked at all for me. So, I’ve switched to using 50% DEET or higher, depending on how bad the insects are. And I will sometimes use 100% concentration when needed, particularly here in the north during blackfly season, when mosquitoes are especially bad, etc. Cheers!
My best defense against the never ending horde of mosquitoes and other bugs was wearing better clothing to start with. We have all been bitten through a t-shirt, but not through heavier fabrics. That said, I’m a fan of BDU clothing since I like my camo patterns and the way the pockets and everything is set up. BDU clothing is a twill fabric, cotton and polyester blend so it kinda feels like canvas but not as heavy and a little more breathable. Using Premetherin on my BDU clothing and boots and then using either Cutter or Deep Woods Off, I have no issues and the repellent is good enough to at least keep the bugs from landing on my hands and face and my neck. I’ve also used natural oils too such as eucalyptus and tea tree oil which did work but did need to reapply much more often.
Yep, muti-repellent plan is a must for me. I wash and allow permethrin to dry on my outdoor clothes. I use Deet on my skin and spray my boots. I spray around my truck, tarp and camp area with Raid. If I’m trying to cut down on stink, like when I’m hunting, then I wash with scent less soap, and set up a Thermacell bug smoker. I use the Thermacell around a campsite too. Texas
How well does permethrin bond to waterproof gear like groundsheets and tarps? You would think that per say a poncho sheds any water why would permithin stick to it. Been thinking of going old school and using a large piece of cloth that can absorb any repellent i use as a groundsheet instead if i just want to sit for a while
I use permethrin and 100% DEET. If I have forgotten my repellents, I will take my socks, trousers and shirt and hang them in the pathway of campfire smoke and let the smoke help disinfect and bugpproof my clothes. Green smoke works best, pine and or cedar smoke works well in fall and winter. I will wave my hands over such fire and rub my face, neck and exposed areas with what the smoke deposits on my hands. When treating clothes, I do them inside and out. The smoke treatment helps when in a place with lots of insect pests. Morning or night is the best time when moisture fills the air and you rub the smoke into your clothes and on your body. Some people have an aversion to smelling like smoke but regardless it works pretty well .
Got it. I’ll just soak myself and my gear in chemicals next time I want to experience the joys of nature. Tip: Leeches and other insects hate tobacco. Sprinkling loose tobacco around your groundsheet can help with those. You can even put a small amount of loose tobacco into a plastic bottle of water and pour it around your camping area.
The powdered flower heads of Dalmation pellitory, or pyrethrum daisy (C. cinerariifolium), are one of the chief sources of the insecticide pyrethrum, used in organic farming. Numerous other Chrysanthemum species contain pyrethrin compounds and are commonly grown as “companion plants” to repel insects from susceptible ornamental or edible plants.
I lived in Montana for over 20 years and never really had much of a problem with mosquitoes just using 40% deet spray. I now live in Wisconsin and let me tell you the Mosquitoes are way worse here, there have been times that 100% deet wasn’t enough to keep those hungry bugs away, so now when I go for a hike I take a head net. The Picaridin spray works well but it’s very short term like less than 2 hours before it loses effectiveness for me.
Here in europe, i live in area that has big tick population and i had great success with the little gray sprey can branded as “predator”. in certain area, if i used it, i chances of getting ticks on me was slim to none, if i forgot to use it, it was certain i would get some on me, very possibly getting bites, all in the same area, same mountain i live near by. This “predator” repelent has 24,9% DEET listed on the can, and i use in tent entrance and to discurage any bugs in crawling to my tent and that helps a lot as well, the product is for use on skin as well.
Hello wolf brother. Thank you so much for doing this article. I now have a mission for you. Please do a article on the most effective insect ‘repellent for your gear’. I don’t want an insecticide. I don’t want to kill bugs especially with a nerve toxin, that sounds just painful and awful. And I don’t want to roll over and look at a caterpillar twitching. I don’t want him crawling on me either. Is there anything out there that I can spray my groundsheet, my shoes, my socks, so bugs are deterred but not harmed. I know it sounds like an impossible task but I know you’re up to it. Thank you so much for all you do. Happy howling. 🐺
If you sweat a lot how likely is it that the permetherin will end up on your skin from the wetness on the fabric? I live in Australia and go to a uni that was built on a swamp so the mosquitos are nasty here and will go through Jeans and other thick material. The max Deet you can get easily here is 40% so I generally use that or tropical repellant and spray it over my skin and clothing. Sadly deet will chew through anything plastic or synthetic so can’t be used on anything that is made of that material. If I do more bush work I will proably treat my clothing with permetherin since I got a paralysis tick last year and it was so itchy I couldnt sleep that night. Leeches are also a issue in wetland or rainforest areas and you can get sydney funnel webs which are seriously venemous.
The area i’m staying at is loaded with earwigs. They crawl up the tires of my motorcycle and get into my saddlebags. Nasty bugs. Is it safe to spray permethrin and/or picardin on tires? How about on leather and autobody paint? Does anyone know? I’d hate to have a bug-free blowout on the freeway. Any helpful replies would be appreciated. Tia. Great article, btw.
I hiked the Appalachian trail in 2022 and the Deet did not work for me. It stinks. Harsh chemical smell that doesn’t go away. It stings your eyes. And I’m still getting bit by every insect. Then I tried No Bite Me. It’s organic. It smells great. And it works! It comes in a cream. So much easier to apply. It helps to heal the bites you have while preventing new ones.
A poncho or Frogg Toggs and a respirator would be good if you’re applying (even outdoors) and some nitrile gloves (or any non-permeable material). At worst, you also treat your rain gear. Former NBC instructor here… While there’s a lot of stuff that’s over-hyped for hazards, I don’t fool around with any of this.
Australian bush in northern Queensland I was camping with a few mates and we found our regular go to ‘Bushmans’ did next to nothing, but the 40% deet Aeoroguard kept the swarms of mozzies at bay. Not that one of them was too happy to discover that on the second day when his entire back was already covered in bites.
Where I have to, I use icaridin (Permethrin is banned here, and DEET isn’t so good with technical layers). I’d rather use mesh, though, so headnet/tent/sleeping bags with midge mesh, plus protective sunwear. I also carry a mirror and tick remover. Nobody likes bugs, but I remind myself that they live there and I don’t: if an area is owned by horse flies or ticks for a time, that is how things are and I go elsewhere.
Been meaning to use permethrin for years, but never did. Went on a backpacking trip with my son a month ago, weather was great and few bugs, so I didn’t even bother with the DEET. Second night, my son finds mites all over his ankles and up his legs so we pack up and head home. That gets me to permethrin the tent, groundsheet, pants, boots, backpacks…. Last weekend, we head out again all permethrined up and of course it’s cool during the day and gets down to 20 degrees at night, so we probably could have waited until spring for the insecticide. Oh well, at least we were bug free :).
I save some money and mix my own Permethrin. I purchase 36.8% concentrated Permethrin off of Amazon (32 oz for $38.21) for about and mix 2 oz with 1 gallon of water. I can then soak or spray it on my gear. This allows me to make if for $0.15/oz compared to $0.44/oz from a place like Walmart. I then pair it with a Picaridin-based repellent; all the benefits of DEET with none of the down-sides.
Great article had been thinking about permetherin. We are van camping in FL I use 40% pump deet, it seems to last ok, but the 40% doesn’t eat up my watch, cell case, clothing. I tried some natural ones here but John couldn’t stand the smell of them. I liked them, but his complaining wasn’t worth it. You are right in NC the natural one worked ok🙂
Permethrin for gear, it’s tough and fast acting. I bought a few of the refillable spray bottle products. I might go with the aerosol next time. The pump spray doesn’t let out a fine mist and it’s kind of spotty. Some of it discolored the floor of my tent, not a big deal. A must have for spraying your gear for deep woods camping. Bug spray for use near skin I prefer the 40% deet. It’s a good balance. Anything with 100% deet can damage plastic, rubber, or synthetic blend (e.g., watch band, shoes, sun glasses, fishing tackle).
If you got a site you plan to use extensively, like when building a permanent shelter, something that can really come in handy is diatomaceous earth. It will desiccate the exoskeleton of basically all bugs, so works on pretty much everything. It is often used by farmers for delousing livestock and animal enclosures. It will get washed away though, so more of use for clearing an area of any current infestations and maybe to lightly powder the floors in the shelter with to take out any creepy crawly invaders.
I hunt in tick infested states, and I’ve used permethrin for years. It absolutely is the best clothing and gear treatment available. U can sit on ground in turkey season with ticks crawling everywhere and be fine. Anyone who doesn’t believe it can try it both ways. Sit on ground against a tree with treatment and then without treated clothing. U will be shocked at it’s effectiveness.
I backpacked and travel through tropical countries some years back. I started with deet. I found it wasn’t very nice on my skin and if I didn’t washed my hands properly, residues would melt some type of plastic – my camera grip. I was passing through Malaysia in my travel and found they don’t offer deet but offered natural repellent. I wasn’t sold on “natural” but eventually when I ran out of deet, I brought some natural repellent spray. Wow, it worked wonders for me. It repells mosquitoes all night long on with one application. Whereas the deet stuff, I had to apply even 1-2hr or so and had that solvent feeling on my skin. I normally look for eucalyptus or citronella repellent ones when I go anywhere with mosquitoes. Lucky my backing friend didn’t need repellent, he smells so much, mosquitoes avoided him. Lol.
I was typing to mention cats and then you hit on the danger. Cats fascinate me on the things that are toxic to them, but not other mammals, that is also toxic to things you’d think are completely unrelated. Snakes (acetaminophen), bugs (permethrin). Random trivia, cats also have the Jacobsen organ snakes use to smell with >_> But I digress. I’ve had cats all my life. Permethrin once it’s dry, the risks are supposed to be minimal. The biggest poisoning source as I recall comes from people using dog bug products on cats (permethrin doesn’t do anything to doggos). Thanks for sharing!
A head net and a full brimmed hat in the inventory is essential for me in Alaska. I put that petmathatrhrin stuff on sea and summer insect shield head net and I can breath and exist again without buzzing in my eyes and ears and whatever. Clothing coverage with repellent on the clothing and a head net and gloves and you are set for the thickest settings on David Attenborough’s Earth.
Years ago I went up to Scotland as part of a team. Up there are the Scottish Midge, they tend to be in little swarms of about a million around any light there is. When we went out in the evening we had to get rid of them or they would get into the building, so we came up with a system and it worked. We would open the door as little as possible and with the aid of a can of air freshener and a lighter we made a hole in the swarm big enough to get out. As for the Scottish Midge, they are one of the most irritating insects in Britain, they may be small but I’ve seen some rashes caused by them and it’s not nice. Also they’re easy to inhale (not pleasant), they get into your eyes, hair, ears, nose and everywhere else. Major inch! But I love Scotland and would love to go back.
aerogard is what us aussie prefer in my opinion nuthin beats it as personal repellant but as a crawling bug issue once again nuthin beats black and gold (plain brand )surface spray almost all creepy crawlies die in seconds of contact with it, and citronella oil camp fire lanterns but thats also why i only camp in winter most bugs dont come out in the rain and you can have a camp fire then in australia and the smoke gets rid of most flying bugs, then ya just need s decent tent as i do . and have a bloody good day
On my last trip to Tennessee, my friend and I sprayed with deep woods off and my other friends used a natural spray of some sort. With the deet, no ticks and no chigger bites. With the natural stuff, chigger bites. This was hiking in northeast Tennessee. Another time, I used deep woods off and my friend used nothing. He was covered in chigger bites. Damn, chiggers are horrible.