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Insect repellent- Overland Track

Discussion specifically about the Overland Track should be posted in this subforum, including side trips and the Cradle Mountain day walk area. Alternative access routes and connecting routes belong in the parent forum.
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Insect repellent- Overland Track

Postby Drifting » Mon 01 Jul, 2024 10:52 am

Hi all,

LONG time no post here. I have a quick question about insect repellent for the OT. My daughter in hiking it in November and is allergic to DEET. Does anyone have suggestions for mozzie repellent for her?

Thank you so much.

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Re: Insect repellent- Overland Track

Postby johnw » Mon 01 Jul, 2024 11:54 am

Haven't used it on the OLT but I've found this to be quite effective in most locations.
It does have a fairly strong citronella scent, if that's an issue.
Available at many pharmacies, Woolies etc. I note that Chemist Warehouse in Tas doesn't seem to have it in store.
https://thursdayplantation.com.au/products/walkabout-insect-repellent/
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Re: Insect repellent- Overland Track

Postby Warin » Mon 01 Jul, 2024 2:02 pm

If your feeling vengeful, permethrin applied to clothing is supposed to kill them...
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Re: Insect repellent- Overland Track

Postby safari » Mon 01 Jul, 2024 6:11 pm

Might be tricky to acquire depending on where you are in Australia but I use Sawyer Picaridin.
I'm a Tassie resident and I use that stuff like sauce on steak.
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Re: Insect repellent- Overland Track

Postby Drifting » Mon 01 Jul, 2024 6:30 pm

Thanks all- I'll pass that on to her.

We used to use the Thursday Island repellent when it came in a bottle- it was brilliant. The roll on doesn't seem to work so well for he, but it does for me.
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Re: Insect repellent- Overland Track

Postby Tortoise » Mon 01 Jul, 2024 6:52 pm

The other option of course is long sleeves & long pants. It depends what she's used to. Over the last few hundreds of days of bushwalking in Tassie, including the OLT, I haven't used insect repellent. Tucking my pants into my socks has pretty well stopped leech bites. If there are lots of mozzies etc, I retire to my tent early.
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Re: Insect repellent- Overland Track

Postby Drifting » Wed 03 Jul, 2024 7:22 am

That's her preference, I think, Tortoise.
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Re: Insect repellent- Overland Track

Postby north-north-west » Sun 07 Jul, 2024 6:20 pm

Tortoise wrote:The other option of course is long sleeves & long pants. It depends what she's used to. Over the last few hundreds of days of bushwalking in Tassie, including the OLT, I haven't used insect repellent. Tucking my pants into my socks has pretty well stopped leech bites. If there are lots of mozzies etc, I retire to my tent early.


This is my practice, and it's pretty effective, except for the odd spot around the wrist and neck areas.
Fortunately our high country doesn't have as much of a horsefly problem as the Australian Alps, because those buggers will bite through just about anything short of sheet metal.
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Re: Insect repellent- Overland Track

Postby icefest » Sun 07 Jul, 2024 8:18 pm

If allergic to DEET Picaridin is the active ingredient of choice. As good a repellent in lab studies and minimal inherent scent!
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