Hiking and mosquitos

[NickyN]

Nothing to do with cars.......

but I'm wondering what you use to ward off mosquitos when out in nature hiking and trekking around on paths, off the path and wherever. Do you use something natural or some spray or wipe with citrus or some chemical?

Going hiking soon and wondered what I should use. I have sensitive skin and don't like feeling like my skin can't breath (meaning oily heavy creams).

Any advice or suggestions would be helpful.

[zilo]

Permethrin is the substance they use in the military.

An eye dropper in the washing machine and your clothes are a repellant.

If you spray it around the dooirways of your house, fly screens etc you will be mosquito free for a while.

It is a controlled substance, you need to wear a mask when spraying it.

I use a disposable hazard suit and mask etc.

It also kills cats by destroying their nervous systems.

I use it at home about every 2 years.

About 80 bucks a litre.


be careful though...it kills marine life at one part per billion.

[sr71]

i was going to suggest eating bananas. But thought I should read up on that first. Some say it repels, others say the banana attracts them. But here is a good link:
http://www.mosquitoreviews.com/sitemap.html

[marty351]

Bug bombs contain a lot of permethrin. Good surface sprays also contain a little.

[hawkgirl]

anything with DEET is good, as it also will repel ticks.

[fordomatic]

Don't use permethrin.

That stuff is the devil and walking around with it on your clothes makes you dizzy as hell, and absolutely stinks. It also takes a lot of washing to make the smell go away. With my work i have a designated uniform i use when they make us dip our clothes, i dry the uniform and it goes back in my locker never to be worn.

When hiking in Mosquito areas that are in a hot climate I simply wear light pants and a long sleeve shirt. I use bushmans on the exposed areas and on ankles and neck line, this keeps the mozzies, ticks and leeches away. You are in the US so probably don't have Bushmans, so anything with around 40% Deet will work well. Keeping covered is the best way to avoid a skin reaction from any product you would use to deter them.

[MITCHAY]

Well I have always used Aeroguard to help out. It is greasy and smells bad but it helps a little.

I don't know if that is an option over there in the US. Citronella candles are popular here too but maybe not effective while moving.

The funny thing is you can be with someone else and they don't cop barely a bite while you get attacked to hell regardless of repellent. There is research into this apparently.

[Franco Cozzo]

That person who gets eaten alive by mossies is always me, the other people get away without getting touched.

Maybe take me along hiking to keep them away from everyone.

[2011G6E]

In mangrove swamps crushed up mangrove tree leaves rubbed on the skin do work in a pinch.
We used to go to a surplus store and buy little green bottles of a white thick liquid bug repellent. It was ex-military and quite strong...stung the eyes too if you got it near them.

Oh...and when we had an old TE Cortina and went out crabbing, I sat the bottle on the boot lid. It fell over as I was wiping the stuff on my arms, and a line of it dribbled down the side of the rear quarter on the white paint. I left it there for a while until I finished applying the stuff. Then I wiped it off the panel with a finger.
And it took the top layer of paint off...
Strong stuff...

[zilo]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

Don't use permethrin.

That stuff is the devil and walking around with it on your clothes makes you dizzy as hell, and absolutely stinks. It also takes a lot of washing to make the smell go away. With my work i have a designated uniform i use when they make us dip our clothes, i dry the uniform and it goes back in my locker never to be worn.

.

I tried DEET and it made me nauseas, gave me testicular cancer and gave me seizures when it crossed the placenta between me and my girlfriend.

[fordomatic]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Oh...and when we had an old TE Cortina and went out crabbing, I sat the bottle on the boot lid. It fell over as I was wiping the stuff on my arms, and a line of it dribbled down the side of the rear quarter on the white paint. I left it there for a while until I finished applying the stuff. Then I wiped it off the panel with a finger.
And it took the top layer of paint off...
Strong stuff...

That stuff is potent, 80% deet. I stopped using it when I got some on my G Shock watch band and the next morning it had burnt through it.

[Madaya]

No, I haven't tested this, but I read somewhere that Wrights Coal Tar soap is a repellent.

[mik]

I have used repellents, but the times i have the mozzys seem to use the repellent like barbecue sauce ,
just an idea, if you dont like chemicals, perhaps go to the army disposals/surplus and get hat and some mosquito netting and keep them off your face and neck, and just wear loose comfy clothes(cover up ).

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=m...w=1745&bih=861

[marty351]

Lemon juice and vinegar. Lol. works for everything else.

[mechanic]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

In mangrove swamps crushed up mangrove tree leaves rubbed on the skin do work in a pinch.
We used to go to a surplus store and buy little green bottles of a white thick liquid bug repellent. It was ex-military and quite strong...stung the eyes too if you got it near them.

Oh...and when we had an old TE Cortina and went out crabbing, I sat the bottle on the boot lid. It fell over as I was wiping the stuff on my arms, and a line of it dribbled down the side of the rear quarter on the white paint. I left it there for a while until I finished applying the stuff. Then I wiped it off the panel with a finger.
And it took the top layer of paint off...
Strong stuff...

The ex military stuff you talk about may have been Kokoda. It came in a flat green plastic bottle with the top recessed into the top of the bottle.Don't know if it's still available but in the very early 70's we used to go into the mangroves after mud crabs and believe me that's where the mozzies are and the merest smear of Kokoda would keep them away.
Spilled in the bottom of the dinghy a few times and took the paint straight off, also will instantly melt plastic on things like watch faces, tackle boxes etc.
We do extended camping trips in all environments and use Rid, Tropical Strength Aerogard roll on or whatever we can lay our hands on.
Burn mozzie coils in camp, worst I've struck lately is at Alva Beach near Ayr, jeezz they were chronic there, wheather was dead still and humid.

[NickyN]

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone!
I ended up taking the safe road and went to my neighborhood organic health food shop and bought a citronella-tea tree-lemon grass-eucalyptus lotion. I covered up with long sleeves and jeans and even had a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar (highly recommended by the organic health shop manager). Maybe it was all that or because it was a pretty windy day but we hiked in the morning to afternoon and I exited the hiking trail with ZERO mosquito bites!! yay!! Considering I'm the one who gets bit everywhere we go, it worked!

Thanks again!

[NickyN]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

That person who gets eaten alive by mossies is always me, the other people get away without getting touched.

Maybe take me along hiking to keep them away from everyone.

Shoulda invited you then!! Cuz I'm the one who gets bit too. So my friends take me as bait so they don't get bit, lol!