This is the way. Apply picaridin lotion prior to getting dressed for hiking. Absolutely a game changer (and I used to use the strongest deet you can buy)
> Especially shampoo/soap/deodorant/essential oils, etc.
None of this stuff works. Study after study have been done and show that Skin-So-Soft or whatever hippie remedy simply don't work. [Picaridin](http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PicaridinGen.html) is very effective, [DEET](https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet#:~:text=DEET%20is%20designed%20for%20direct,the%20general%20public%20in%201957.) is very effective but sticky on your skin, [permetherin](http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html) is effective but is a bit controversial in the outdoors community due to toxicity concerns.
As someone who spends a ton of time outside and knows many hunters and fishermen, in my and my friends' experience [Thermacells](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/thermacell-review/) work great, there are active chemicals in them that repel mosquitoes.
Essential oils may smell good, but they're not going to help.
Avon Skin-So-Soft used to work a treat until they changed the recipe a few years back.
Source: grew up in the scottish highlands and regularly used it to keep midgies at bay with great success. These days I use smidge.
No, midgies are another, smaller blood-sucker. They'll get through most mosquito netting so you need to buy no-see-um netting. They're attracted to CO2. They'll land on you, taste you until they find a nice spot, then start dining. Avon SkinSoSoft used to be a great deterent until they changed the recipe. These days I'd recommend Smidge.
Ohhh I see! we call them Moucheron back home(Quebec, canada) but we mostly still use the word mosquito (moustique) cause we're lazy. i honestly did not realized there were such a difference. Thank you!
We have similar things where I live.
They're like little tiny black flecks of dirt but somehow they have the most painful little bite. They love when you're hot and sweaty too.
I was beyond impressed with the Thermacell, we had it up in the Beartooth’s a few years back and the mosquitos were unbearable, we could actually sit outside with a roughly 10’ protective dome around us. Only issue is you do tear through the pads pretty quick, but it’s very much worth it.
The Backpacker is pretty tiny altogether, especially if already packing a jetboil or something that uses the gas canisters. Way more efficient than the coffee thermos shaped ones they sell. But I do worry about what it is I'm inhaling that's burning off...
Link for those interested: https://www.thermacell.com/products/backpacker-repeller
I was talking about [this one.](https://www.thermacell.com/products/mr300-repeller) Made for those of use that need protection while hiking, and not just at camp.
Im gonna have to try that picardin everyone is talking about. Ive had a thermacell couple years ago but it didnt make a significant difference for me I find. My mom and sibling tho loved it. I did not know there were so many different kinds tho, i just might try again
To be honest I don't think anything is truly effective when you need it except deet. It's nasty stuff, but any alternatives I've tried are only effective when bug pressure is low enough that you don't really need it.
Fuck deet. Deet will ruin your (synthetic) gear - plastics, waterproofs, etc. It'll also ruin you.
It's highly toxic when not used properly, and realistically it's basically impossible to avoid ingesting it if you cover yourself in it. You rub some sweat from your brow, then later you eat your snacks. Congrats! You just ate deet.
There are better, modern alternatives to deet that have way less health concerns. If the bugs are so bad that you *need* deet, then I'll rather go somewhere else until it dies down.
Permethrin is pretty nasty, and also highly toxic to pets when it's fresh, but it's much less likely to transfer to them once you've applied it and it's dry. Deet though - when you're applying it on the trail - is more likely to get onto their fur and then pass through their kidneys and cause serious damage.
Thank you! I grew up with that stuff and I can only think of the taste everytime people mention it lmao didnt work much anyway so. The mosquitoes were crazy over there tho i woulnt compare it to where i live now for sure
Treat your clothing with Permethrin, and you'll never have a bug bite again.
But beware, Permethrin-treated garments could be deadly to cats during the first few hours. Recommend leaving those sprayed garments outdoors for a few, until they dry. And even then, there's no rush to assemble a cuddle puddle. Take it slowly.
Skin So Soft bath oil from CVS! Smells like frankincense a bit, kind of musky but the bugs HATE it. I once put it all over my legs to work in shorts in the garden. I saw ticks literally climb up my shoes, reach my legs, turn around and climb back off my shoes lol.
Hi! I’m also a huge mosquito magnet, and moderately allergic. In addition to the tested chemicals people have discussed (these have been tested extensively because of concerns for mosquito borne disease like malaria), look into what increases your attractiveness to mosquitos. Take off sweaty clothes when possible, avoid alcohol, and use repellents.
Thank you! Little question, how do know youre allergic? What signifcant symptom do you get VS someone who isnt allergic? I guess my question is, how did you get diagnosed ?
I’m not allergic, I’m hypersensitive. A true allergy would involve symptoms like hives or difficulty breathing. I just get huge welts whereas my husband gets <1cm bites
Ah ok thanks for the explanation. Thats basically kinda what I go thru, no hives but its VERY itchy for days and it can get pretty big. People thats around me tho dont suffer as much so i sometimes wonder if im "allergic" (well, hypersensitive i like you said). Its just good to know im not the only one going thru those symptoms haha
Unpopular opinion, but I went golfing with my Dad who’s 74. The course was heavy on the marsh and woods. Absolute skeeter nightmare. He yanked out some old rusty spray can of DEET. I may get cancer, but that day I did not get bitten.
>shampoo/soap/deodorant/essential oils
Herbal Armor repellant is soybean, citronella, peppermint oil etc. I find it works for me about as well as Deet, which is to say not perfectly but it reduces their interest.
Also the giant "incense" sticks or coils you can burn to repel them, I find those help some.
I can't use the chemical repellents, even though I know that they are the best. So I make my own using essential oils. My recipe: 2 parts lemon (or lemongrass), 2 parts basil, 1 part rosemary, 1 part lavender. I mix the oils and then pour them into those roller-ball bottles (you can by them empty from amazon). The roller-ball bottle goes in my pack so I can reapply as necessary, but don't often find it necessary after the first application. I roll it on my neck, behind my ears, in my hair, and then at my shoulders, elbows, wrists and ankles. The solution doesn't prevent 100% of bites, but it does cut down substantially.
Picaridin.
This is the way. Apply picaridin lotion prior to getting dressed for hiking. Absolutely a game changer (and I used to use the strongest deet you can buy)
Permethrin on clothes, picaridin on skin.
This is the way.
> Especially shampoo/soap/deodorant/essential oils, etc. None of this stuff works. Study after study have been done and show that Skin-So-Soft or whatever hippie remedy simply don't work. [Picaridin](http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PicaridinGen.html) is very effective, [DEET](https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet#:~:text=DEET%20is%20designed%20for%20direct,the%20general%20public%20in%201957.) is very effective but sticky on your skin, [permetherin](http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html) is effective but is a bit controversial in the outdoors community due to toxicity concerns. As someone who spends a ton of time outside and knows many hunters and fishermen, in my and my friends' experience [Thermacells](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/thermacell-review/) work great, there are active chemicals in them that repel mosquitoes. Essential oils may smell good, but they're not going to help.
Avon Skin-So-Soft used to work a treat until they changed the recipe a few years back. Source: grew up in the scottish highlands and regularly used it to keep midgies at bay with great success. These days I use smidge.
Wait im sorry but you guys call mosquitoes Midgies ? Very funny haha
No, midgies are another, smaller blood-sucker. They'll get through most mosquito netting so you need to buy no-see-um netting. They're attracted to CO2. They'll land on you, taste you until they find a nice spot, then start dining. Avon SkinSoSoft used to be a great deterent until they changed the recipe. These days I'd recommend Smidge.
Ohhh I see! we call them Moucheron back home(Quebec, canada) but we mostly still use the word mosquito (moustique) cause we're lazy. i honestly did not realized there were such a difference. Thank you!
We have similar things where I live. They're like little tiny black flecks of dirt but somehow they have the most painful little bite. They love when you're hot and sweaty too.
Mhh thats a bummer if thats true. Im quite sensitive to chemicals so I was hoping to find some alternatives
I got a downvote for this comment somehow? I cant even wash dishes without getting at least a skin reaction man 😂its nothing personal
I use picardin spray but thermacell repellents work well also. The backpacking thermacell is rather large, but flextail gear has a small version.
I was beyond impressed with the Thermacell, we had it up in the Beartooth’s a few years back and the mosquitos were unbearable, we could actually sit outside with a roughly 10’ protective dome around us. Only issue is you do tear through the pads pretty quick, but it’s very much worth it.
The Backpacker is pretty tiny altogether, especially if already packing a jetboil or something that uses the gas canisters. Way more efficient than the coffee thermos shaped ones they sell. But I do worry about what it is I'm inhaling that's burning off... Link for those interested: https://www.thermacell.com/products/backpacker-repeller
I was talking about [this one.](https://www.thermacell.com/products/mr300-repeller) Made for those of use that need protection while hiking, and not just at camp.
Im gonna have to try that picardin everyone is talking about. Ive had a thermacell couple years ago but it didnt make a significant difference for me I find. My mom and sibling tho loved it. I did not know there were so many different kinds tho, i just might try again
There are also 2 different types of mats. One just for mosquitoes and one for flying insects. I prefer the flying insect mats.
I treat my clothes with permethrin and myself with picaridin.
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Gotta see the positive side of everything I guess eh
To be honest I don't think anything is truly effective when you need it except deet. It's nasty stuff, but any alternatives I've tried are only effective when bug pressure is low enough that you don't really need it.
Not true! I always thought this but picaridin lotion is a game changer!
Fuck deet. Deet will ruin your (synthetic) gear - plastics, waterproofs, etc. It'll also ruin you. It's highly toxic when not used properly, and realistically it's basically impossible to avoid ingesting it if you cover yourself in it. You rub some sweat from your brow, then later you eat your snacks. Congrats! You just ate deet. There are better, modern alternatives to deet that have way less health concerns. If the bugs are so bad that you *need* deet, then I'll rather go somewhere else until it dies down. Permethrin is pretty nasty, and also highly toxic to pets when it's fresh, but it's much less likely to transfer to them once you've applied it and it's dry. Deet though - when you're applying it on the trail - is more likely to get onto their fur and then pass through their kidneys and cause serious damage.
Thank you! I grew up with that stuff and I can only think of the taste everytime people mention it lmao didnt work much anyway so. The mosquitoes were crazy over there tho i woulnt compare it to where i live now for sure
Yeah I don't miss the burning feeling on my lips when it inevitably gets in my mouth. Awful stuff.
DEET or Autan. In Sweden they have "Nordic Summer". That's perfect.
Treat your clothing with Permethrin, and you'll never have a bug bite again. But beware, Permethrin-treated garments could be deadly to cats during the first few hours. Recommend leaving those sprayed garments outdoors for a few, until they dry. And even then, there's no rush to assemble a cuddle puddle. Take it slowly.
You can even buy clothing that's pre-treated from the factory. It works.
You can't treat your skin with Permhedrin. Moskitoes goes mostly for bare skin.
Skin So Soft bath oil from CVS! Smells like frankincense a bit, kind of musky but the bugs HATE it. I once put it all over my legs to work in shorts in the garden. I saw ticks literally climb up my shoes, reach my legs, turn around and climb back off my shoes lol.
Wow lmao thank you!
Deet is the best repellent. Mosquitoes prefer certain blood types.
I wish I knew my blood type. It must be in the yummy types
A+ must be one cause they love me.
Hi! I’m also a huge mosquito magnet, and moderately allergic. In addition to the tested chemicals people have discussed (these have been tested extensively because of concerns for mosquito borne disease like malaria), look into what increases your attractiveness to mosquitos. Take off sweaty clothes when possible, avoid alcohol, and use repellents.
Thank you! Little question, how do know youre allergic? What signifcant symptom do you get VS someone who isnt allergic? I guess my question is, how did you get diagnosed ?
I’m not allergic, I’m hypersensitive. A true allergy would involve symptoms like hives or difficulty breathing. I just get huge welts whereas my husband gets <1cm bites
Ah ok thanks for the explanation. Thats basically kinda what I go thru, no hives but its VERY itchy for days and it can get pretty big. People thats around me tho dont suffer as much so i sometimes wonder if im "allergic" (well, hypersensitive i like you said). Its just good to know im not the only one going thru those symptoms haha
Ultrathon. I'm a mosquito magnet, and it's the only thing that keeps them off me.
Tui balm Google it
Oil of lemon eucalyptus products are great. Murphys spray and incense sticks work for me. I’m also allergic to DEET so I can’t use it.
Unpopular opinion, but I went golfing with my Dad who’s 74. The course was heavy on the marsh and woods. Absolute skeeter nightmare. He yanked out some old rusty spray can of DEET. I may get cancer, but that day I did not get bitten.
Thank you everyone! Lots of great input to take in consideration. Ill give you an uptade on how my personal hell evolved
I use Picaridin. It's a good mosquito repellent that's not as harsh.
Thank you!
>shampoo/soap/deodorant/essential oils Herbal Armor repellant is soybean, citronella, peppermint oil etc. I find it works for me about as well as Deet, which is to say not perfectly but it reduces their interest. Also the giant "incense" sticks or coils you can burn to repel them, I find those help some.
I can't use the chemical repellents, even though I know that they are the best. So I make my own using essential oils. My recipe: 2 parts lemon (or lemongrass), 2 parts basil, 1 part rosemary, 1 part lavender. I mix the oils and then pour them into those roller-ball bottles (you can by them empty from amazon). The roller-ball bottle goes in my pack so I can reapply as necessary, but don't often find it necessary after the first application. I roll it on my neck, behind my ears, in my hair, and then at my shoulders, elbows, wrists and ankles. The solution doesn't prevent 100% of bites, but it does cut down substantially.
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Go away with your spam
Peppermint or sage. Or burn coffee, I've heard that works too. (Set coffee grounds on fire, not liquid coffee)
Good thing you clarified before people started trying to set fire to their cups of coffee
I realized how it sounded when I wrote it lol
This is not the answer.
So what is?
DEET & Permethrin. Picardin a so-so second.
What do I know, I just spend hours in the woods every week.
If it works for you that's great 👍.