View Full Version : biting insect season
katerbrown
01-31-2012, 19:06
If I start a thru hike at Springer Mountain on April 1 who thinks I should bring bug repellent from the get go and who thinks I can safely wait until further along my trail (into May)? (Bugs bite me a lot ...just don't know if there's a large biting insect population around in Georgia/NC area beginning of April.. would appreciate any knowledgeable insight.)
http://www.tendercorp.com/product.php?category=DEET Insect Repellents&product=Ben's<sup>®</sup> 30&id=191
Bring a small bottle of Ben's 30% deet (all you'll need -extra is just more toxic).
Spray your clothing (except rainwear) with a permethrin-based insecticide to repel ticks, biting flies, mosquitoes, etc. Lasts up to 6 weeks, I believe.
There will be biting bugs in the valleys, and I got bitten between the toes while relaxing in my hammock on Blue Mountain back in mid-March, 2006. It was unseasonably warm for a couple of weeks back then. Who knows what this year will bring? Be prepared for the first few days, and decide after that whether you'll need to continue carrying bug spray.
swjohnsey
01-31-2012, 19:33
From the get go. There is some kinda little blood suckin' knat/fly that gave me hell. It doesn't bite through clothing but made my bare legs look like I was some kinda leper.
johnnybgood
01-31-2012, 20:13
Mosquitoes are the worst for me. I've always said they must know that I'm a card carrying 0+universal blood donor.
I carry a small 2oz. spray bottle of Sawyers Permethrin to mist the brim of my hat . Before leaving for a hike during warmer bug biting season I lay the clothes outside that I'll be wearing and spray them using permethrin.
katerbrown
02-01-2012, 11:45
thanks for the answers
HiKen2011
02-01-2012, 11:56
Believe it or not but mosquitos were on my pond yesterday! Last day of January, who'd a thought.
Last year the AT locals told me the gnat infestation was the worse in many many years. Guess what we forgot to bring on our 120 mile section hike. My legs looked like someone had poked them with an icepick. (Repeatedly....)
I see Coleman (I believe) is selling little pen sized spray dispenser of bug spray for only a couple bucks. Pretty light and handy. Of cousr Permethrin is great for the clothes and gear.
SCRUB HIKER
02-01-2012, 14:37
I started April 3 last year and carried no spray. The places I remember the bugs being heavy were the Smokies (gnats), Virginia in early-mid-June (also gnats), and Massachusetts-southern NH (mosquitoes). Mostly it was an issue in camp, where I solved the problem by hiking up my socks as far as I could (no rain pants or long pants at all in the summer for me) and tenting instead of being in shelters. Every now and then I was annoyed by the amount of bites I was getting, but it was never that big of a deal. But this is probably a matter of personal preference ... I'd encourage you to bring bug dope if you think it'll keep you sane. I just didn't like the weight, the spill-in-my-pack risk, or the thought of chemicals regularly on my skin.
Take B-12 and garlic for a couple months before ya leave. Carry a face net up north and forget about it.
Pathfinder1
02-01-2012, 16:38
Hi...
Saw some mosquitos today...and there's still some snow on the ground (temps in the 50s right now)...!!
CAUTION: I used to use DEET products regularly. And then I discovered...first hand...that DEET will dissolve paint...!! I will no longer use it.
Kerosene
02-01-2012, 17:57
I did Georgia in early April and never needed any bug repellent, nor did I bother to bring it. I covered Standing Indian to Franklin in mid-May 2010 and never needed repellent, but I did bring it. I covered Franklin to Fontana at the end of last May and used repellent twice for some biting gnats atop Wayah Bald and somewhere else. My daughter, who also gets bitten alot, rarely used repellent on the two May trips.
Prediction: Due to the warm weather this winter, ticks are going to be the #1 bug problem this year (though all other insects are going to benefit, too).
Buy lots of permethrin.