no see ums and nasty bugs

[skinner]

The time of year is coming where ticks, mosquitoes, gnats and other annoying insects will be present. What is the best type of repellent that you use? Does anyone still use products with Deet in it?

[DarkSkies]

Skinner, IMO not much you can do to repel ticks, they cling on me even when I use the spray. Back bay places are full of them. Right now the tick population is blooming, so check yourself every time when coming out of there.

As for the other ones, I like 100% deet, or even something as low as 21%, if you spray it all over. Come summer, there are some places and points of land where the mosquitoes and flies are unbearable. I kinda like it that way, it keeps the human traffic down.

Cover up with that stuff. Bear in mind it can ruin the fabric on some wetsuits and outdoor gear, so read the instructions first.

[jimbob]

A few years ago I started using Crocodile Insect repellent, it's great it works well but is kind of oily. It does not contain Deet. Although it works really well to keep bugs away from you Deet is uncomfortable to wear and it melts plastic on contact I wonder what it does to us. I have tried other products that don't contain Deet but they were less than perfect.

[katiefishes]

I use outdoor critters or Avon skin so soft. A lot of guys make fun of the Avon product but it works wonders.

[jonthepain]

for some reason the skin so soft never worked for me. i tried the cabela's bug repellent long johns but those didn't work. as a matter of fact, i got tore up the worst ever by chiggers wearing those dang things. they ain't cheap either.

the guys down here swear by those electronic gizmos. i forget the name.

i usually use deet but i'm going coyote hunting this weekend and gotta be scent free. sure hope it's still too early for chiggers. those things are 2 weeks of pure hell if you run into a bunch of them.

[rockhopper]

I use cabela's bug repellent. I carry a can with me every time I go out.

[albiealert]

Although it works really well to keep bugs away from you Deet is uncomfortable to wear and it melts plastic on contact I wonder what it does to us. .

I wonder about Deet too. Last night I tried some shore fishing and the bugs were out of control. If anyone has any home made remedies or thoughts on what works for them I would appreciate them, thanks.

[baitstealer]

My uncle told me garlic, but you're supposed to rub it or garlic oil on your arms and face. Maybe he was pulling my leg, I didn't try it yet.

[bababooey]

Be careful with that stuff, they show damage from long-term exposure.



News / Insect Repellents / DEET Info


Use Caution When Using DEET



Every year, approximately one-third of the U.S. population uses insect repellants containing DEET to ward off mosquitoes and other pests. At present, DEET is used in more than 230 products with concentrations up to 100 percent.
However, DEET should be used with caution due to its possible damaging effects on brain cells. Studies have shown that DEET causes brain cell death and behavioral changes in rats after frequent and prolonged use. This exposure causes neurons to die in regions of the brain that control muscle movement, learning, memory, and concentration. Rats treated with an average human dose of DEET (40 mg/kg body weight) performed far worse when challenged with physical tasks requiring muscle control, strength and coordination. These findings are consistent with reported human symptoms following DEET's use by the military in the Persian Gulf War.
With heavy exposure to DEET and other insecticides, humans may experience memory loss, headache, weakness, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, tremors and shortness of breath. These symptoms may not be evident until months or even years after exposure. The most severe damage occurs when DEET is used concurrently with other insecticides, such as permethrin, for prolonged and frequent periods of time. At this time, there is little information about the short-term, singular and occasional use of DEET. Further government testing of the chemical's safety is necessary. However, frequent and long-term use of DEET, especially in combination with other chemicals or medications, could cause brain deficits in vulnerable populations, particularly children.
Until further studies are done, it is important to be cautious when using this insecticide:
Use insecticides containing DEET sparingly and infrequently. If you do use one on your skin, avoid wearing it for prolonged periods of time.
Be wary of using insect repellant containing DEET on children. Children are more susceptible to subtle brain changes caused by chemicals in their environment because their skin more readily absorbs them. Also, their still-developing nervous systems are more potently affected. For the same reasons,
NEVER use insect repellant containing DEET on infants.
Be aware that DEET can be present in commonly used preparations like insecticide-based lice-killing shampoos. Use the same precautions with such preparations as you would with insect repellant.
Do not combine insecticides with each other or use them while using other medications. Even an over-the-counter antihistamine could interact with DEET to cause toxic side effects.
Do not spray your yard for insects and then take medications afterward. There is a possibility that you've inhaled a small amount of the insecticide that might interact negatively with the medication. Also, be sure to wash your skin thoroughly after spraying your yard. Lawn treatment chemicals are very strong and were not formulated to be applied to human skin.
From the Duke University Medical Center News Office
The Dangers of DEET
From This week on MedMinute, a service of Duke University News.

Use caution when using insect repellents containing DEET.
Every year, approximately one-third of Americans use insect repellents containing the insecticide DEET. Duke University Medical Center pharmacologist Mohamed Abou-Donia has spent 30 years researching the effects of pesticides. He has found that prolonged exposure to DEET can impair functioning in parts of the brain.
"Damage to these areas could result in problems with muscle coordination, muscle weakness, walking or even memory and cognition."
Abou-Donia says rats given even small doses of DEET for 60 days had a harder time accomplishing even the easiest tasks.

Abou-Donia says short-term exposure to DEET does not appear to be harmful, but warns against using any product with more than a 30 percent concentration. Use as little of the product as you can, and don't use a product containing DEET if you're taking any medication.

"We found that the combined exposure to DEET and other chemicals is more dangerous than just DEET alone."
Abou-Donia also warns to never put a product containing DEET on an infant's or child's skin. The side-effects could be even more serious. I'm Cabell Smith for MedMinute. From the Duke University Medical Center News Office

http://www.quantumhealth.com/news/dangers_of_DEET.html

[fishinmission78]

My uncle told me garlic, but you're supposed to rub it or garlic oil on your arms and face. Maybe he was pulling my leg, I didn't try it yet.

that works at night for the skeeters if they are not that bad Those greenhead flies in the day are relentless. Only way I know to keep them off is with deet.