Bugs

[rup]

I'm considering a WMNF visit for the LOOONg weekend.

 

[MrAmeche]

Yesterday when I started the Caps Ridge Trail to Jefferson (7:30 am) the mosquitoes were out in full force and began eating me alive. I try to avoid DEET unless in case of emergency, and this classified as one. Once I got above treeline and there was a nice breeze, they disappeared.

 

[ChrisB]

This month's Consumer Reports gives high ratings to repellant capabilities of a non-DEET additive, the name of which escapes me. (I looked at the bottle after I posted and the name of the additive is Picardin. It is much easier on nylon and other fabrics than DEET, and reportedly not toxic.)

In any case, it is used in Off Advanced Formula (blue squirt bottle).

I plan to field test it this weekend!

cb

 

[Jim lombard]

Natrapel

Natrapel Plus is DEET free and works pretty well http://www.tendercorp.com/natrapel.html

Nothing works as good as Bens 100 though, except maybe a suit of armor

 

[arghman]

I second the Natrapel, I won't let that DEET stuff touch my skin.

There are some bugs out, but there don't seem to be too many. If there are major swarms I'm not sure where they are. (Maine? ) My dad & I went hiking on Welch/Dickey on Sunday, I used Natrapel & he used Cutter w/ DEET. I got one or two mosquito bites, he got a dozen or two black fly bites. Not sure whether the difference is in bug spray, or the fact that he's an out-of-stater and I'd already got my quota of blackfly bites.