Natural insect repellent

Deet, when its needed its the only stuff that works for any length of time.

BTW there is no credible proof DEET does anything to the body if used correctly.

50 yrs and no lawsuits gotta be a record.

Skam
 
I agree about DEET not being that bad for you - all the data out there states such. Nonetheless, I haven't used it in over a decade. The thing I don't like about DEET is what it does to other synthetics.

Wasn't there something in the news not to long ago about DEET and sunscreen in one solution causing a health risk?
 
I dont use it much either but when I need it deep into a swamp on a SAR mission I slather it on with impunity.

In such circumstances nothing else works very long and I have tried dozens of natural remedies. Deet stays on when you are dripping sweat, something most products dont come near in performance.

Sitting on the deck drinking beer with a few skeets some citronella spray may work ok, but when you are in the middle of dark bad ass bush DEET is the only product.

Your mileage may vary.

Skam
 
skammer said:
I dont use it much either but when I need it deep into a swamp on a SAR mission I slather it on with impunity.

In such circumstances nothing else works very long and I have tried dozens of natural remedies. Deet stays on when you are dripping sweat, something most products dont come near in performance.

Sitting on the deck drinking beer with a few skeets some citronella spray may work ok, but when you are in the middle of dark bad ass bush DEET is the only product.

Your mileage may vary.

Skam
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Hi, Skam.

There are other options. The CDC has approved lemon eucalyptus-based products as mosquito repellants (available in the REPEL brand [and other brands?]). The CDC found such products equally effective when compared to deet-based products BUT for only 75% as long.

Picaridin-based products have also been approved by the CDC, but only seem to work well in the higher concentrations available (Cutters brand).
See: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/ai_insectrp.htm

So deet remains the time/effectiveness champ.

Lemon eucalyptus does not dissolve plastics (glasses frames, watch crystals, polyester, rayon), as does deet. I've tried it. Works. Makes you smell like a lemon.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that concentrations of deet no greater than 10% be used on young children -- which makes deet perfectly safe for old farts.
 
I recall reading that Florida Indians would use Gar Fish entrails to keep the mosquitos (proverbially) at bay.
 
mp510 said:
I recall reading that Florida Indians would use Gar Fish entrails to keep the mosquitos (proverbially) at bay.
Click to expand...

Hadn't heard that one before and I have studied what I can of the Timucans. In Florida, and much of the SE, Myrica cerifera (southern bayberry) was used as an insect repellent - that is all I used in Florida unless it was unbearable and then I would use it and a headnet. Mosquitoes never bothered me as much as the deer flies and gnats regardless of repellent.
 
When I hunt in warm weather and get a cloud of mosquitoes, deer flies, and any other hovering vermin I back up to a good sized spider web. Just wave a hand in front of my face a few times and they fly behind you and feed the spider. May not get them all but it seems like just revenge on the little buggers
 
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