I've never particularly liked using bug juice, mostly because it seems oily to me. I've used it, but try not to. For the past several summer trips, I've used none at all, for the whole trip. I definitely use my headnet when the skeets get thick at dusk, at least until they lighten up later at night. On portages, I swat mosquitos as needed. That's it though. No bug spray, although I always bring it. Anyone else take this approach?

Like you, I always take it and rarely use it: It's nasty!

I spray my clothes with Permethrin before the trip. During a trip I spray 100% DEET on my pants, socks and boots. I use deep woods off on my arms if I’m wearing a tee shirt. Also spray deep woods off on my neck if needed. I weigh the chemicals against the nasty diseases bugs carry and Chemicals win every time. Also Cuban cigars are helpful in keeping them away.

I too take and use very little. bug nets are great and I always Permethrine clothes.

I use it. But shower or lake before bed...
Especially my head... never did like smacking my self where my ears ring..

Last time I used the high percentage DEET was in the early '90's. It removed the paint from me friend's good camera. Decided right then and there I'd go a different route. For years I bought a brand called "Green Ban." Can't find it anymore, but I can find Citronella based bug dope easily now. I think "Off" makes the Citronella stuff I used last year? It was Citronella based with a little DEET.

Can't do bug nets, they feel too confining to me. I just douse hat and bandanna with Citronella bug dope and take a good attitude. Since I frequently go in June, it requires a REAL GOOD attitude. One thing I miss about smoking my pipe and cigars was it definitely helped defend me a bit.

NPR presented some research years ago that said that the percentage of DEET in bug juice only affects the amount of time the application is useful--higher percentages lasted longer, but were not any more effective. Since then, I've used the lowest DEET percentage I can (e.g. Skintastic), and apply more often as needed. The lower percentages are much nicer to use--nothing melting, etc. I've also had success with Natrapel. And I always have headnets handy, but they get in the way when you're doing surveys on your knees in Alaska with your head in the duff.

I can put up with a lot of bugs but when they are thick I get by with 100% deet on my sleeve cuff and under the brim of my hat. It is hard on the hat but I can replace it when needed.

We use permethrin on our clothing. As for our skin we occasionally use DEET but use the dry spray versions which are not oily.

Once I figured out you didn't mean what we drank at Scout camp, I agree. I carry some but rarely use it - certainly not every trip. I also found Thermacell, and can't believe how effective it is. I even carried it while portaging and it kept insects away.

white mountain

allergic to bug repellants, sun screens and lotions.... so it's long sleeves for me, or for that rare occasion the bugs are horrendous i'll use some white mountain.

I don't take bug dope on trips and rarely use it. In fact I never used it once last year in Alaska. I have a bug net but it is still in its original packaging.
Light colored clothing seems to help.

I carry it but can only remember using it twice in the last 10 years. Permethrin clothes before every major trip and have had very good results with it.

Having said that, I have a long family history of skin cancer so I almost always have long sleeves and long pants on and a wide brimmed hat. As noted above, light colors help.

The only thing that I don't like about paddling and wilderness camping is mosquitoes and biting flies. I can tolerate anything else. I switched to Picaridin last year. It seemed to work. I got tired of melting things with DEET. Sawyer has a new "family safe" product out that has 20% DEET but it's slow-release. It's blended into a protein that slowly releases it.

Mocha: " white mountain


allergic to bug repellants, sun screens and lotions.... so it's long sleeves for me, or for that rare occasion the bugs are horrendous i'll use some white mountain."

I have never heard of this one before but I trust your experience, i think i will give it a try, thanks Sheryl :-)

Some places sell an alternative repellent with geraniol... Haven't found it to work real well, but you are at least fairly fragrant while getting bitten.

Above 30% deet, diminishing returns on increased concentration basically yield no benefit, so I see no reason to use any deet stronger than that and certainly not 100%. Deet is damaging and toxic to a lot of things and not meant for application to skin.

Picaridin is as effective as deet and at lower concentrations with fewer risks/side-effects. I have also found lemon eucalyptus to work not just well but better than other things on certain species (small gnats/sandflies in Kickapoo most recently). The lemon eucalyptus is also all I'll ever risk applying to my dog if bugs are getting to be too much for him.

I carry it all though. I treat relevant gear with permethrin. I carry 30% deet, picaridin, and lemon eucalyptus. I also have head nets. I use sticky blue Solo cups around camp to thin deer flies, and while I don't use them, many of my friends like to bring thermacells. I like having some of many different tools instead of putting all my eggs into one or two specific repellant baskets.

Honestly though, I haven't actually used deet in years except for once or twice at work in peak tick season sprayed on my pants.

Picaridin works well too. We started using it last year and it seemed to keep the bugs away while we were out backpacking. Plus it is not hard on nylon and plastics like DEET is.

Basspro69: "

Mocha: " white mountain allergic to bug repellants, sun screens and lotions.... so it's long sleeves for me, or for that rare occasion the bugs are horrendous i'll use some white mountain."

I have never heard of this one before but I trust your experience, i think i will give it a try, thanks Sheryl :-)"

fragrance freee

also use fragrance free shampoo & conditioner all summer and fall, as well as scent free soap and lotion.

Mocha: " white mountain

allergic to bug repellants, sun screens and lotions.... so it's long sleeves for me, or for that rare occasion the bugs are horrendous i'll use some white mountain."

MOCHA, THANKS FOR THE LINK! That looks just like the stuff called "Green Ban" I used to buy from Dave & Nancy at HJO? I wonder if they sold their "Recipe" to another company? I'll be ordering some. THANK YOU!

rtallent: "Some places sell an alternative repellent with geraniol... Haven't found it to work real well, but you are at least fairly fragrant while getting bitten."

The company that sprays for pests weekly in our hospital uses a geranium based repellent because it's effective and safe to be used in patient care areas.

The Original Bug Shirt is a must have gear item. And not just for bugs. It is an e cellent tough garment on its own merits.

I ALWAYS have it with me and on day trips it could prove particularly useful in the event you don't make it back to camp before nightfall.

I also like mesh "bug pants". These are superb for keeping flies at bay while wearing shorts about camp. They puff outwards and help keep you cool and bugs at bay. They came in especially useful on a back packing trip around Mt. Rainier (Wonderland Trail). The days were rather warm and the flies were vicious on exposed legs.

I also like fingerless fleece gloves for early morning. The fleece is generally thick enough to deter the little beasties and they seldom find your finger tips. Fingerless allows complete use for breakfast and breakdown. Gotta have 'em.

I bring deet but seldom use it. But when you need it, you need it!

Have not used bug juice of any kind for years. Long sleeves/pants and a bug net for portages as needed. Bughouse for the camp as needed.

Similar. I'm one of those fortunate ones that rarely gets a mosquito bite. Others in a group might have sprayed themselves when I haven't, and they still end up with a dozen bites to my none. (My dad and uncle are similar.) They'll still annoy me by landing onme, but I'll swat as needed.
The black flies, now those are a different story.

If I trip in May or June, however, I will treat my clothes and the outside of a pack with permethrin. I find ticks to be sort of terrifying.

I also take DEET on every trip, but don't use it very often.But, I usually trip in late July /Aug so the bugs are just a little less of a problem.

One of my concerns is having to spend the night outdoors without a tent. Stories are legion of guys who have had their outboard motor break down in the Florida Everglades backcountry and had to spend the night out in the open. A scenario I have heard more than once is guys resorting to staying partially submerged in the water than brave the continuous onslaught. Could be the same for Canada as well depending on the time of year. I can picture getting some sleep in an Original Bug shirt and a shell of some kind.

I can't remember the last time I used the stuff. It will eat your skin away, I saw what it did to plastics, I can only imagine what it is doing to my body.

I spray my cloths with permethrin and avoid using bug spray. If I do, I use a spray that contains Picaridin. I am not a fan of deet. It does work, but it can damage nylon, so I don't use it.

I took a trip last year with Bill Connor. He had a Thermacell and I could not believe how well it worked for sitting around camp at night.

Generally there attacking my canoe partner. If they get to me I put on my original bug shirt . An try to stay away from the bug spray. Makes you feel grimy