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Mosquito Repellant

  • Thread starter Thread starter PierreBear
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PierreBear

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It's almost summer time when the sun is bright, burgers are being grilled, and ice cream is being eaten! I'm excited for summer but I also dread all the bugs that come with it. I must be allergic to mosquito bites as I swell up big time. I'm usually the person hiding in the house or spraying myself down with repellant that leaves me feeling sticky and smelling less than ideal. I think it's generally the "Off" brand that I use as I feel convinced that the grosser and smellier the product leaves me, surely must mean it works better. It's time for a change though if anyone has found an ideal product to use that they can share? Thanks in advance!
 
I have read that soldiers use Avons dry oil spray to keep bugs off. I'm highly allergic to bites, they swell up the size of eggs - very attractive look! Doesn't seem to matter what I use, the little swines will find the 1mm spot I've missed.
 
Treat your outdoor clothing with permethrin or buy garments to which it has already been applied.

https://exofficio.com/exofficio-technologies/technology-bugsaway.html

https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/repellent-treated-clothing

You can buy aerosol cans of it at outdoor stores (REI, etc.) or WalMart, or online I'm sure, and treat your own apparel. Some people can get away with just spraying a bandana or their socks. I have to wear or treat my entire ensemble because skeeters LOVE to bite me. Permethrin is also the only bug repellant that kills ticks, so those with Lyme disease or those who don't want to contract it swear by permethrin.
 
I too use the deep woods stuff. I actually compare the different varieties (colours?) and find the one that has the highest deet content. I'm not allergic to the bites, but my tasty tasty skin seems to attract hoards, and I'm left with multiple bites every spot they hit.
I prefer the aerosol because I think it covers better, but they also have a spray if you are anti-aerosol.
 
Deet is a known carcinogen; permethrin is much safer. I seriously doubt soldiers are relying on Skin So Soft. Military personnel are now wearing uniforms with permethrin application.

ETA: deet is a D carcinogen, my bad. Whatever--it eats the polish off my nails and toenails when I've used it in the past, so I really don't want it on my skin. :)
 
monarch64 said:
Deet is a known carcinogen; permethrin is much safer. I seriously doubt soldiers are relying on Skin So Soft. Military personnel are now wearing uniforms with permethrin application.

ETA: deet is a D carcinogen, my bad. Whatever--it eats the polish off my nails and toenails when I've used it in the past, so I really don't want it on my skin. :)
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So I checked the links, and it says:
Use of Factory-Treated Clothing in Conjunction with Insect Repellents
When wearing permethrin factory-treated clothing to repel insects, only the skin surface covered with the factory-treated clothing is protected from the pests listed on the label. Treat other exposed parts of the body with an insect repellent labeled for use on human skin for more complete protection.

So it sounds like this only works if you're covered up head to toe in this material? Not very practical for the average person going for a walk.
 
I went to REI and asked for the highest concentration of Deet they have. Ended up with a little can of something they call Jungle Juice (99% Deet)

I only use when I am really out at the worst time so only once or twice every year, often less. I do try to use other gentler stuff first (this one melted a cell phone case). That said, I swell up bad from bites and with all the different viruses and stuff mosquitoes carry, I figure I am far better having the chemicals on rare occasion than risking all those bites!
 
TooPatient said:
I went to REI and asked for the highest concentration of Deet they have. Ended up with a little can of something they call Jungle Juice (99% Deet)

I only use when I am really out at the worst time so only once or twice every year, often less. I do try to use other gentler stuff first (this one melted a cell phone case). That said, I swell up bad from bites and with all the different viruses and stuff mosquitoes carry, I figure I am far better having the chemicals on rare occasion than risking all those bites!
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Too patient, more is not necessarily better. From what I heard, the % of DEET relates to how long the effects last, and 25-30% deet should last 8-10 hours.
I looked and a couple sites said that oil of lemon eucalyptus worked too.
 
telephone89 said:
So I checked the links, and it says:
Use of Factory-Treated Clothing in Conjunction with Insect Repellents
When wearing permethrin factory-treated clothing to repel insects, only the skin surface covered with the factory-treated clothing is protected from the pests listed on the label. Treat other exposed parts of the body with an insect repellent labeled for use on human skin for more complete protection.

So it sounds like this only works if you're covered up head to toe in this material? Not very practical for the average person going for a walk.
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Idk, I'm a pretty average person who does stuff outside like walks and gardening and I wear my treated pants and long sleeved shirt all the time. They're super lightweight and quick dry/moisture-wicking, so its not really a big deal nor impractical in my opinion. I know others who use it who just treat their bandana or socks and it is very effective for them. Eh. Use whatever you want, no skin off my back. I worked in the outdoor industry for several years and have dealt with a lot of people who traveled and swore by permethrin and permethrin-treated garments. Personal experience has also lead me to believe that it's the best method for me. I don't want DEET anywhere near me and I don't want a virus or Lyme disease, so this is my preferred product.
 
This works pretty well for me usually. I get the ingredients from Whole Foods.
I am also allergic to mosquito bites (and other bug bites) in that my reaction are big fat hives and swelling wherever I get bitten.

http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/natural-essential-oils-repel-insects


Buzz-Off Oil
¼ tsp lemon eucalyptus essential oil
⅛ tsp geranium essential oil
⅛ tsp lavender essential oil
Put almond oil in a bottle, add essential oils, and shake well. Apply a small amount to your arm and leave on for 30 minutes to make sure you're not sensitive to any of the ingredients. If you have no reaction, then apply to exposed skin every 3 to 4 hours when outdoors. Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, and nose.
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I enjoy wearing shorts and tank tops outside, and with deet being a group D - ie no proof that its a human carcinogen - I'm comfortable using it. Wearing pants and long sleeves and having to buy special clothing for that isn't something I consider very practical.
 
telephone89 said:
I enjoy wearing shorts and tank tops outside, and with deet being a group D - ie no proof that its a human carcinogen - I'm comfortable using it. Wearing pants and long sleeves and having to buy special clothing for that isn't something I consider very practical.
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I agree Deet is probably the most complete effective bug repellant but some people have serious skin reactions to the chemical and so alternative treatments are necessary for those who are sensitive to the harsh Deet. I too am not really concerned about the carcinogenic effects of Deet but the skin reaction can be as bad or worse as the bug bites for many people who have skin sensitivities.
 
missy said:
I agree Deet is probably the most complete effective bug repellant but some people have serious skin reactions to the chemical and so alternative treatments are necessary for those who are sensitive to the harsh Deet. I too am not really concerned about the carcinogenic effects of Deet but the skin reaction can be as bad or worse as the bug bites for many people who have skin sensitivities.
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Absolutely, and alternatives/choices are always good. But knocking a very useful chemical with pretty harsh words as "carcinogen" without providing further info could and does create fear around it! I thought clarification was necessary, and was pointing out a flaw in the other item, ie requiring to be covered 100% for effects to work.
 
telephone89 said:
Absolutely, and alternatives/choices are always good. But knocking a very useful chemical with pretty harsh words as "carcinogen" without providing further info could and does create fear around it! I thought clarification was necessary, and was pointing out a flaw in the other item, ie requiring to be covered 100% for effects to work.
Click to expand...

I agree and as I wrote above I think Deet is safe enough to be used at least occasionally especially if one is super sensitive to bug bites and nothing else works as well. I think everyone should try the recipe I shared though. It is pretty good and as far as I know very safe as long as you are not sensitive to the ingredients.
 
missy said:
I agree and as I wrote above I think Deet is safe enough to be used at least occasionally especially if one is super sensitive to bug bites and nothing else works as well. I think everyone should try the recipe I shared though. It is pretty good and as far as I know very safe as long as you are not sensitive to the ingredients.
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And probably smells a lot better too!
 
telephone89 said:
And probably smells a lot better too!
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Haha good point!
(but hopefully not to the mosquitos...I hate those darn blood suckers and they always seem to love me no matter how many people are around it is me they go for if I don't wear bug protection...every single time. They are merciless!)
 
I use the dog's repellant...lol she dosen't need it anymore but I sure as hell do!
 
I actually keep lavender in pots around to repel mosquitoes. I also have one small pot with a mix of lavender and lemongrass. It seems to work because I always get bit when i go across the street to my neighbor's yard, yet I never encounter any mosquitoes by the front entrance of my home where the lavender plants are gathered.
 
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