Most effective insect repellant?

K

Kirk_Ferentz

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
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Any recommendations for kit and general use? I've used a lot of stuff over the years but haven't really kept track of what was more or less effective...
 
Bens.Bright orange package.I've seen it in 30 and 100 deet formulas.The 100 deet stuff repels everything including people.
 
I use Deep Woods Off. Be sure to reapply as directed if your sweating a lot.
 
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savagesicslayer said:
Bens.Bright orange package.I've seen it in 30 and 100 deet formulas.The 100 deet stuff repels everything including people.
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I would say that Ben's 100% deet is the best i've used. I doesn't feel good to put on bare skin, so I typically wear an old had and put a generous amount on that.

I've tried Cutter's, Deep Woods Off and even Skin So Soft, but none work nearly as well as the Ben's.

Peter
 
anything with a strong concentration of deet works well.

I would love to find a non deet product that works just as well
 
I've mentioned before (and probably been ignored) but 100% DEET IS NOT the most effective. At that concentration the DEET balls up on itself (think of spilled mercury) and leaves large patches of skin exposed. The optimal level of DEET for usage is 70%, at that concentration is applies smoothly across the entire skin surface and is concentrated enough to repel for the longest amount of time. BTW I was taught this during my University days in my Medical and Veterinary Entomology class and confirmed with other Entomology professors at the University when I wanted verification of the claim.

If you could cut down the 100% DEET (with alcohol perhaps- I'm not sure what they dilute it with in solution) it would last longer, be more effective and you would have to worry about plastics much less. I've used what our professor gave us to try @ 70%, but cannot remember what he diluted it with.

Just my 2cents
 
looks like the Government just recently allowed higher doses of Picaridin products to be sold

has anyone used this stuff?
 
33% DEET cream, I like the Ultrathon stuff by 3M the best, it's also what is military issue now. Been proven to work well.

High levels of DEET don't work any better, evaporates faster, and increases any potential risk coming from the use of DEET.
 
I used deet on my clothes while camping last weekend and it worked great. Mossies are real bad this year because of the rain we've gotten. I've actually never had a problem with them until this year. A little spritz around the collar, sleeves, and ankle is all I needed while camping for 4 days. It was 100% stuff. YMMV.
 
Hey Ken -

Muskegon, MI?

I recently lived in Grand Haven/Ferrysburg/Spring lake tri-cities area. Small world!!!
 
CUTS LIKE A KRIS said:
I've mentioned before (and probably been ignored) but 100% DEET IS NOT the most effective. At that concentration the DEET balls up on itself (think of spilled mercury) and leaves large patches of skin exposed. The optimal level of DEET for usage is 70%, at that concentration is applies smoothly across the entire skin surface and is concentrated enough to repel for the longest amount of time. BTW I was taught this during my University days in my Medical and Veterinary Entomology class and confirmed with other Entomology professors at the University when I wanted verification of the claim.

If you could cut down the 100% DEET (with alcohol perhaps- I'm not sure what they dilute it with in solution) it would last longer, be more effective and you would have to worry about plastics much less. I've used what our professor gave us to try @ 70%, but cannot remember what he diluted it with.

Just my 2cents
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Great Info Kris...There are definitely some issues with 100% and the high formulations. As I recall, duel application of SPF/sunscreen and DEET can result in carrier effects that bring DEET into your bloodstream. Not such a great thing. For the same reason, I'd be a bit remiss to dilute DEET with alcohol. I'd recommend using something like mineral oil which has hydrophobic properties and will readilly dissolve the DEET. The components of mineral oil themselves are too large to pass through the lipid bilayer protecting epidermal cells and thus should not facilitate entry into the blood stream. For a cream like effect, mixing DEET with vaseline my accomplish a similar effect.
 
"looks like the Government just recently allowed higher doses of Picaridin products to be sold

has anyone used this stuff?"


I prefer Picardin because of the supposed lower toxicity, and because it doesn't destroy plastics. It is not as effective as DEET. I use it around my home (there are not a lot of mosquitos & not many mosquito borne diseases around here). I use DEET if there are tons of mosquitos, or if I am in an area with more risk of mosquito borne disease.
 
Ben's 100 (100% DEET) is the best stuff I've ever used, by far. I put a couple of drops in one palm (and I do mean two drops), rub my hands together briskly and then rub my hands over all my exposed skin. I then try to remove it from my hands so I don't wreck my sunglasses, fly line, or any other plastics that may be attacked by DEET.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
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