Bug protection

[JLB]

What do you guys use? Does anybody use Skin so soft? What about those small area personal bug devices, does they work? Is a head net a good idea?

[Lone Wolf]

100% DEET. Skin So Soft doesn't work for s**t. Just makes you smell like a chick.

[jersey joe]

I would recommend a head net. It will also come in handy while your sleeping in shelters.
Skin so soft and bug spray tend to leave an oily residue and in a non-shower situation I found it easier to do without. Besides, I wound up sweating it off in a matter of minutes anyway.
I've tried one of those sound emitting "small area personal bug devices" and it didn't seem to work at all.

[smokymtnsteve]

BEN'S 100% deet..it works!

[JLB]

I would recommend a head net. It will also come in handy while your sleeping in shelters.
Skin so soft and bug spray tend to leave an oily residue and in a non-shower situation I found it easier to do without. Besides, I wound up sweating it off in a matter of minutes anyway.
I've tried one of those sound emitting "small area personal bug devices" and it didn't seem to work at all.

There is a new one that burns a small blue strip with mini gas cylinder. They are available at Wal Mart. I got one as a gift, but need to try it out soon.

[jersey joe]

JLB,
I'm curious how well that device works. mini gas cylinder...hmmm...You'd be hard pressed to keep the mosquitos and black flies in Maine at bay with a flame thrower.

[JLB]

JLB,
I'm curious how well that device works. mini gas cylinder...hmmm...You'd be hard pressed to keep the mosquitos and black flies in Maine at bay with a flame thrower.

Here is their web site:

http://www.pestrepellents.com/

The ThermaCell portable, corldless mosquito appliance is great way to protect yourself from biting mosquitoes and black flies. The reusable appliance comes with one butane cartridge and three repellent mats good for up to twelve hours of continous protection (refill kits available below). Just slide in a repellent mat, switch the unit to the on position and push the automatic ignitor. Protects an area 15' by 15' (225 sq.ft.). Outdoor use only.

[kythruhiker]

JLB: I used to hike with Skin so Soft. Most of the time it was "adequate" for where I'm at in KY, but I've been in areas in SC and areas on the AT where it was pretty much useless against the little blood suckers. These days I'm hiking with 30% DEET - seems to be as effective as 100% DEET, and doesn't take a few layers of skin with it every time it is applied.

See ya in the woods,
Ky Thru

[JLB]

Sorry, this is their home page:
http://www.mosquitorepellent.com/pro...cordless.shtml

That was a retail site before.

[The Old Fhart]

JLB-"I was going to register there, until his John Kerry banner ad popped up"

JLB, If you are so concerned and upset with Trailplace having political banners, why must you do the same obnoxious thing here? I don't give a damn what you think, keep it off your posting. You are a hypocrite.

[JLB]

JLB, If you are so concerned and upset with Trailplace having political banners, why must you do the same obnoxious thing here? I don't give a damn what you think, keep it off your posting. You are a hypocrite.

I don't care about political banners, I just don't like people who betray their country. That's why I didn't register at Trailplace. No hypocrisy here.

You are welcome to disagree.

[nazdarovye]

People betray their country by committing atrocities, abusing prisoners, committing crimes, ripping people off, and sending others to their deaths, not by pointing out these abuses. Some people seem to get this backward.

Meanwhile, I recommend the Repel Lemon Eucalyptus bug lotion - seems to work quite well, and doesn't contain DEET.

[Dances with Mice]

There are many places on the 'net where amateur political discussions are appropriate.

This isn't one.

[smokymtnsteve]

JLB: I used to hike with Skin so Soft. Most of the time it was "adequate" for where I'm at in KY, but I've been in areas in SC and areas on the AT where it was pretty much useless against the little blood suckers. These days I'm hiking with 30% DEET - seems to be as effective as 100% DEET, and doesn't take a few layers of skin with it every time it is applied.

See ya in the woods,
Ky Thru

using the 100% deet (which by the way is only 95% deet) vs 30% deet you don't carrry or use as much product

btw I like KERRY.

[MOWGLI]

Dances with Mice, have you hiked the Georgia Loop again since Youngblood & I saw you out on the Benton MacKaye Trail? I'm talking to the Mountain High Hikers in Ellijay on June 1. They maintain the Duncan Ridge Trail. If you want to attend the meeting, drop me a note at [email protected].

Hey, I think you're wasting your breath about this politico discussion. The guy who posted it is just trying to grab some attention. Earlier today he posted that he owns a machine gun. Another great attention grabbing posting. Look at post #7 above. This guy isn't a backpacker. Ignore him and he'll eventually go away.

[orangebug]

While it is counter-intuitive, DEET is easier and more effectively applied at 30%. The oily 100% is just too viscous to apply evenly and avoid waste.

While DEET is frightening to some as it is a chemical, there are absolutely no clinical grounds to avoid the stuff. It is the only agent (other than permethrine) thus far proven to reduce insect bites, especially mosquitos. Any risk and inconvenience of DEET pales in comparison to Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and West Nile Virus.

Bill....

[smokymtnsteve]

While it is counter-intuitive, DEET is easier and more effectively applied at 30%. The oily 100% is just too viscous to apply evenly and avoid waste.

While DEET is frightening to some as it is a chemical, there are absolutely no clinical grounds to avoid the stuff. It is the only agent (other than permethrine) thus far proven to reduce insect bites, especially mosquitos. Any risk and inconvenience of DEET pales in comparison to Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and West Nile Virus.

Bill....

Ok whatever you think...I disagree 100% (95%) is my choice.

but about this Kerry question..you like him??

[kythruhiker]

My only beef with 100% is that it typically made wherever it was applied red and raw feeling, especially my arms and legs...probably because I was applying too much. I don't know about the weight...I carried the same size spray bottle of 100% as I do 30%, granted had I used a smaller quantity of 100%, the weight difference would have been there over time.

Take care,
Ky Thru who isn't touching the Kerry question with a 10' Leki...

[Dances with Mice]

Dances with Mice, have you hiked the Georgia Loop again since Youngblood & I saw you out on the Benton MacKaye Trail? I'm talking to the Mountain High Hikers in Ellijay on June 1. They maintain the Duncan Ridge Trail. If you want to attend the meeting, drop me a note at [email protected].

Yes, sir, I did it again a few weeks ago. Carried a small spray bottle of full strength DEET but never used it.

I started at Amicalola this year & went counter-clockwise. Starting at AFSP was a mistake, the Approach Trail to Springer was ok but that same 8 miles downhill to end the hike was no fun.

Funny you should mention the Loop today - I came to a campsite late one day on the DRT & couldn't find a place to pitch my tent. All of the flat sites were full of blooming Ladyslipper Orchids! Fortunately I have a Megalite floorless tent, I had to set up over one and slept on the opposite side of the tent. Sharing a tent with rare flowers wasn't a problem on the AT portion, of course. Anyway, that got me to thinking about hammocks and the REI sale pushed me over the edge. I ordered a HH Explorer Ultralite and it was waiting when I came home today! I'll probably run out this weekend to give this puppy a whirl. I'll bet the Taccoa bridge will be a zoo, but I've been wanting to check out the campsite at Bryson Gap, and I think I located a couple of old Indian graves that I wanted to photograph on the way there. So Sunday nite, if you're in the area...

Yes, I'll e-mail you. I made note of some places that really need maintenance, and one stretch that just plain needs to be relocated. But mostly it's in good shape. I reserved a place on trailjournals to put in my notes & pictures, and if I ever stay at home on a weekend I'll load them

[steve hiker]

That ThermaCell seems quite expensive. Not the devise, but the refills you'd have to constantly buy.

Jan LiteShoe used catnip oil. I read one study that said catnip oil repels bugs better than DEET. And it's natural.