14 replies to this topic

[Arctic]

One of my friends, who spent a career working in Alaska with USFW, recommended the Bug Shirt as an alternative to chemicals. As someone who mosquitoes find exceptionally tasty, I think I’m going to get one. Apparently the weave is tight enough the little needle nose critters can’t get through it. There is mesh in areas that hang free and don’t touch, plus a hoodie with zippered mesh.

Yes Sir, bugshirts work well but the limitations are they tear if you are bushwhacking; however, they are a good option if you are in camp or on a trail, etc.

Headnets are another option but I don't care for them since they limit visibility that can limit ability to perform work or watch for bear.

The advantage to both bugshirts and headnets is you can avoid slathering on nasty bug dope onto your skin where it gets absorbed into your body. Maybe a week of that is no problem but an entire summer work season like your friend. What kind of neurological damage is it causing? So long sleeve garments are a big PLUS in my book.

BTW, Uncle Bens (most popular) and 3M and other 100% DEET products have about a 30-minute lifetime upon application. In other words, in AK mosquito swarms, you will need to re-apply that often to exposed areas. You can watch the clouds of mosquitoes continue to move closer to you as the DEET loses efficacy.

But the worst part is the constant drone of their buzzing. Its psychological warfare... Lol

Edited by Arctic, 02 January 2020 - 11:23 AM.

[trikebubble]

Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed with rubbing alcohol and put into a spray bottle. Best mozzie repellent I have used in decades. A friend of ours who worked up North said all the loggers and tree-planters use this concoction, so it was worth a try.

[craig333]

Thats interesting as it pretty consistently gets poor reviews from places like consumers reports etc.

[AWG_Pics]

We just received two bottles of this: https://www.amazon.c...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which is a lemon eucalyptus oil mixture that CR says works very well for mosquitoes and tics without damaging fabrics. Have not used it yet, but we want an alternative to DEET, which does eat up fabrics and coatings. Will let everyone know how it works when we finally find ourselves  in a place we need it.

[Arctic]

Gents,
If you want to try all these natural remedies then do yourself one favor and carry a bottle of real & proven repellant in your kit for when the natural remedies fail. Otherwise, the mozzies will ruin your adventure.