B-1 Vitamin + No Bannana = No Bug Bites????

[Stan]

I use DEET as a last resort, and then only in diluted form unless that doesn't work either. I also get vitamin B into my bloodstream, usually for close to a week, but that is part of a regimen that includes meals with garlic and simple clothing strategies that includes long pants and sleeves, a head net and lightweight silk glove liners.

My bug antidotes makes me think of how religious rituals may have started but it works for me and I never need to schedule my trips to avoid "bug season." In fact, I'm surprised to learn that so many continue to be so bothered by bugs. I was once, a Tripyramid loop in June, but that was the last time I hit the trail without anti-bug preparation.

By the way, I learned of the vitamin B routine from my wife as well as from a friend with many years of hunting, gun running and wild animal domestication experience ... but that's another story.

 

[DougPaul]

DEET on skin and permetherin on clothing is probably best.

For more info on DEET (safety etc) see:
http://www.vftt.org/forums/showpost.php?p=68964&postcount=14

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Additional info:
Canadian report:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pmra-arla/english/pdf/rrd/rrd2002-01-e.pdf

Nice summary:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/repel.htm

Clinician's guide
http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/128/11/931

MD-travel-health.com
http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/illness/insect_repellents.html

CDC: Insect Repellent Use and Safety
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm
(incl Picaridin)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm

Doug

 

[jfb]

In addition to those insightful suggestions, I am going to try the following product this spring: Sawyer Broad Spectrum. It is supposed repel black flies with the ingredient R-326 and also has DEET for other biting insects, such as mosquitos. I think Repel Black Fly Formula is supposed to be a similar product.

I will let everyone know my findings in a future thread.

Marty

I've tried Repel Black Fly Formula and found it to be excellent black fly repellent. EMS carried it a couple of summers ago at their Manchester, VT store but I can't find it anywhere now. I'll be sure to stock up on the Sawyer Broad Spectrum. Thanks for the link!

 

[TDawg]

Just a note. I think most B vitamins ARE water soluble, like C. It's A and D that are not water soluble, and there are documented cases of poisining by these vitamins.

Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

Vitamins A-D-E-K are fat soluble and have nastier side effects if you 'load up' on them. Water soluble vitamins (B-C) stil

The golden rule we saw in each of my nutrition classes is to watch quantity and vary sources of food. Loading up on a certain element should not be done without consulting an MD.

Fish

Thanks for the clarification guys, at least I wasn't too too far off on that one.