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adam
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I am partial to Ben's as it doesn't have as heavy of a bug spray smell.
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LukeA
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We (my family) are headed into BWCA end of this coming week. I've heard the bugs are really bad this year. I'm not crazy about spraying our clothes with permethrin, but probably will do so and pray no adverse health effects from the shorterm-ish exposure. My wife has read about success (albeit not in BWCA) with using homemade vanilla extract-based spray, supposedly works really well, but needs to be reapplied every half hour (making it somewhat impractical). Anyone have experience with using vanilla extract-based spray? Effective? Thoughts on whether this type of potentially sweet-smelling spray will attract bears? My hunch is yes, it could be an issue, but eager to hear feedback from some more experienced BWCA paddlers!
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papalambeau
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Jackfish: "I'm always amazed at how little bug spray I end up using, but when I do, it's Deep Woods Off. It's never failed me and I guess I see no reason to change.
The main reason I use so little bug spray is because when the skeeters are bad, I wear long pants, long sleeves and a head net. I spray my hands and that's it."
Our crew does the same - Deep Woods Off.
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schweady
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Avon Bug Guard Plus with 10% picaridin. Worked great even in this year's bug storm.
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CoachWalleye74
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Bad bug year and looking for some input on bug repellent and wool socks. I normally wear zip off pants, long sleeve shirt, bug hat, etc. wondering what bug spray people like to use and find effective. Also, when a person wants to wear shorts but bugs attack your ankles and legs any wool crew socks for a large calf person in warmer weather that anyone can recommend?
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plmn
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We used a Picaridin repellent last year for the first time. No stink and less greasy than DEET and studies seem to show it's just as effective if not more so. Don't remember the brand but found it at my local Ace Hardware. Also sprayed all of our clothes with Permethrin. Between the two they worked great. Though it took a lot of Permethrin spray to do 5 people's worth of clothes. Next time for that much I'll use concentrate and soak them instead.
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Jackfish
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I'm always amazed at how little bug spray I end up using, but when I do, it's Deep Woods Off. It's never failed me and I guess I see no reason to change.
The main reason I use so little bug spray is because when the skeeters are bad, I wear long pants, long sleeves and a head net. I spray my hands and that's it.
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Jefflynn06
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About 7-8 years ago we discovered Ben's 100% deet bug spray and use that exclusively. It has proven to be highly effective for us over all that time. However, last year I sprayed my gear and outer clothing with Sawyer Permethrin and it made a noticeable difference. Used less than 1/4 of the bug spray that I used to use. Just returned from a trip last week (no new application on my gear) and had similar results - very little bug spray used.
So my experience is that the 100% deet Ben's is effective but will go with the Permethrin application from now on to minimize the use/reliance on bug spray.
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bhouse46
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I learned about permethrin on this site and threads on the topic have proven most useful. I use concentrate and soak not only my tripping gear but also the items I wear working in the yard, local hiking and most outdoor activities. I also spray entrances to my home and it really cuts down on all the unwanted guests who want to come in.
On a trip in July the mosquitos swarmed. clouds hovered about six inches away all around, really eerie. The original bug shirt protected my face. I ate with gloves.
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EddyTurn
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Nothing but Picaridin. DEET dissolves everything, including sunglasses and no-see-um mesh. Organic recipes are useless in my experience.
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chessie
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I'm sold on "BUGG" Buggins mosquito/tick spray, which I bought from an outfitter in Ely last year. It really works, and the smell isn't unpleasant.
I didn't buy it at Walmart but will attach a link here for photo of the product. BUGG insect repellant
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CoachWalleye74
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I treat all my gear with Sawyer permethrin, agree it helps. I've used Ben's in the past but it is very harsh..but works. Buggins is one I've tried and may try again, as well as Bug soother max. Any ideas on wool crew socks for larger calf people?
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Podunk
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Martins Permethrin 10% dilute as needed and soak pants shirts socks hat etc. Way cheaper than Sawyers spray. Picaridin on exposed skin. It's on here on how to dilute to proper strength. I use deet sometimes but it is kinda harsh on plastics.
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cowdoc
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We were in the week of July 4th. Bugs were pretty bad. I pulled out all the tricks. Had clothes sprayed with Sawyers, hung the old bug net over the latrine, hung my good bug net under the tarp, everyone had head nets as needed, picked campsites that caught good wind for the most part and had 2 thermacells along. Found a spray last year that I liked and took it again with good results....Natrapel...20% Picardin. Biggest annoyance was the ankle biters the last couple days. Haven't found a spray yet to detour them so long pants tucked into 2 pairs of socks with different weave.
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dirtlawyer
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CoachWalleye74: "I treat all my gear with Sawyer permethrin, agree it helps. I've used Ben's in the past but it is very harsh..but works. Buggins is one I've tried and may try again, as well as Bug soother max. Any ideas on wool crew socks for larger calf people?"
I second this. Sawyer makes the best products for bug protection.
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