Insect repellant

[corvus]

What do you use ? I am looking for a really good insect repellant that my wife can use as mozzies just love her (just like I do) I have heard of one called I think Bushmans I am not concerned with cost just efficacy so any advice will be welcome.

[Joe]

I remember this being discussed in another thread a while ago. DEET is what you are after...or more specifically N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deet

I have used bushmans...it comes in a toothpaste like tube in either straight insect repellent or in repellnt/sunscreen. I use the 2 in one most of time as it saves carrying 2 tubes. Im lucky in as much as Mozzies hate me. THey only ever get into me as a last resort, They love my wife too, and the rest of her family. I usually take at least one member of her family walking with me as a decent form of insect repellent. They leave me alone if they are along



*EDIT: this was the other thread it was mentioned in:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=242&p=1331&hilit=deet#p1331

[corvus]

Thanks for that info TWF I will ensure I have it on my next walk but it will be so dry that I suspect we will encounter more snakes than leeches ( I will also leave some for my wife) as a peace offering

[walkinTas]

Just back from the Walls. I used bushman insect repellent. It is 80% DEET. I can tell you with confidence that it works very well. 100% no bites - and the March flies and Mozzies were everywhere.

However, even with liberal usage I still got burnt on the arms and hands, so don't rely on it as your sun block. And keep it away from your mouth and eyes!

[corvus]

Thanks for that info WT I will get some on monday

[abowen]

Interested in learning what others do with regard to repelling insects. Some of my bushwalking colleagues use citronella oils and being a naturally derived substance it can't be too bad for the environment - (apparently this oil is also good for keeping pesky animals away from food). I haven't converted yet, but probably will soon to see how it goes.
Personally I don't like any of the rub or spray ons - they always feel greasy and smelly and end up giving me a headache or running into your eyes as you sweat.
Like many, I tend to get hit by any biting thing going around - marchies, mozzies, sand midges.
On one of my walks on the Central Plateau, I ended up with a badly swollen foot, which eventually extended to my knee. Suspect it might have been a marchie. It did make walking difficult - fortunately I was only a day away from the car.
On another recent trip to Freycinet, I was bitten by some sand flies or midges. I took some antihistamine to prevent any itchiness and swelling, but I ended up being bitten alive at some point and didn't feel them. Now my leg is pitted with scratchy itchy sores.
Anyway, if anyone has any useful tips I would be interested in hearing about them - what works and what doesn't

[corvus]

Bushmans DEET 80% really WORKS and remember any insect repellant gets leeches OFF much better /quicker than Salt or heaven forbid a lit match,so dont burn yourself or waste time looking for that salt that is in your pack somewhare .
Just a tiny spot of repellant and they DIE.

[Joe]

I used bushmans for the walk in this weekend leech free. On the limp out i used none and had two very $(^!*# legs (see the word can be used legitimately...even more reason to mod the swear filter ) by the time i hit the carpark. The reason I used none is that as I was rolling my tent up and stuffing it back into its sack i felt a bushmans shaped tube amongst the folds. I debated totally unrolling and finding the tube etc...and decided to go without. Next time i will take the extra time. its bleeding slash blood watsit good stuff

[corvus]

Highly recommend Bushmans even my mossie attractatant wife has been bite free since useing it

Last edited by corvus on Mon 24 Mar, 2008 2:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bluewombat]

DEET based is definitely the way to go for me, there are a few brands you can buy in NZ that are even stronger than Bushmans....they have industrial strength midges/sandflies over there, these little brutes lick off most repellants as an entree then go for your blood....but in my experience Bushmans works very well in Tassie.
bw