AlexanderLS

Does anybody happen to know of/use a rechargeable, and durable electronic insect repellent?
One that uses AA/AAA batteries would also work as I have a charger for those.

While the chances of getting west nile fever are pretty low, it would really suck to be sick for that long.

EDIT: Please let me know if electronic insect repellents simply do not work. I've never tried one.

Seattle Forrest

Permethrin.

debade

If they worked, the big guys would be marketing them. It's not that they can't. It's that they decided not to and the only reason is they can't demonstrate to their satisfaction that they work.

fietsbob

with an onshore wind blowing through town, I find a stiff breeze works, well ...

maybe have a fan to keep the air moving?

Or Ride Faster




...

Tourist in MSN

If you are trying to avoid repellent for some reason, this is an option too.
https://www.rei.com/c/mosquito-net-clothing

I have used this sort of thing over shorts and short sleeves in a campsite, where the netting is touching your skin you can get bit but it really works pretty good.

But a headnet gets in the way when you try to sample the food you are cooking.

AlexanderLS

Thank you all for the suggestions.

It's unfortunate electronic repellents don't currently work. Eventually they will figure out a way to do it. I mainly wanted one to avoid putting any chemicals on my skin. I have a few canisters of sport deet bug spray, I'll just use that. It will only be when I'm hiking on Sundays so I doubt once a week usage will cause any harm. I'll probably get something natural when my current supply of bug spray runs out.

PdalPowr

I as well dislike repellants.
If I use one it is mostly on my clothing and hat.
Of course you do have some on some of your skin but
you don't use as much.

noglider 

What is the operating principle of this gadget?

Seattle Forrest

Permethrin comes from geraniums, you might have some in your garden. It's harmless to mammals except cats, but toxic to mosquitoes. You wash it into your clothes, and then they won't land on you, except the stupid one who goes in for a snack and dies.

debade

As a former product manager of OFF! insect repellent, my recommendation is to use the least amount of Deet as possible and reapply as required. 15% deet will likely keep you pest free for 2+ hours. We all have different run times. But, make sure you apply it properly. Leave a spot open, the bugs will find it. Having said that, do not over spray. But rubbing it around, like you would a lotion and washing your hands is the best approach.

As some have said, Permetrhin is a good product, applied to clothes. . But, because it comes from plants does not mean it is not toxic. But, if you have bare skin, you will need a repellent.

noglider 

Thanks for weighing in, debade. Your logic is good, but are you saying Permethrin is toxic? You don't seem to be saying it is or isn't.

debade

Everything is toxic, including water. You can consume too much water and harm yourself. Everything has an Lethal Dose measurement. Perhaps you can look up the LD50 for each of these products or anything that you are consuming through your mouth, skin, or nose,.

I am not sure that there would not be debate about the comments in this article by those that have deep knowledge but I think it is basically correct for our purposes. https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/su...nd-peremethrin

In my opinion, your goal should be to use as little repellent (and frankly any chemical) as you need. In the case of repellent applying to clothes lessens skin contact. Applying lower concentrations to your skin, lessens the amount that will be absorbed in your body.

noglider 

That's an artful dodge, because you said more with less. Thank you again.

The tick problem is really bad this year in New York State. I'm not in the habit of using repellent, and I think maybe I should this year. I like the idea of applying to clothes because it might be easier to talk my wife into it. She's more afraid of chemicals than I am.

Also, we used permethrin heavily a couple of years ago when we got scabies, and she didn't complain about toxicity then. But we had a really serious problem to solve at the time. Scabies are terrible. Permethrin sounds reasonably safe.

Milton Keynes

I think most of them put out an ultrasonic audio sound which supposedly annoys the insects enough that they stay away from you, kind of like getting rid of annoying people by playing Yoko Ono albums. However, it's not been found that annoying sounds bother bugs like they bother humans, at least they seem to have no effect.

tunavic

It sometimes drives me crazy when in certain areas flying insects are buzzing around my face and at times it seems as if they're trying to crawl into my ears

I've used skin so soft from Avon. Very inexpensive and the link is for the one that uses synthesized plant oil.

https://www.avon.com/product/skin-so...30-lotion-7894

Copied from the REI website:

IR3535

Background: Developed in Germany by Merck in early 1980s; registered in U.S. in 1999. Chemical name: 3-[N-Butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester. Derived from the amino acid alanine.

Effectiveness: Potential duration of effectiveness:Up to 8 hours. Refer to product label.

Safety: From the EPA: “IR3535 has been used as an insect repellent in Europe for 20 years with no substantial adverse effects. Toxicity tests show that IR3535 is not harmful when ingested, inhaled, or used on skin.” The American Academy of Pediatrics has made no recommendation on the use of IR3535.

prathmann

Yes, I've always tried to apply the repellents to my clothing, especially cap brims and shirt/pants cuffs. Have found DEET to be the most effective so that's what I've continued to use but try to avoid direct contact of it with my skin. In bad areas I've worn a netting face mask. My experience with Avon Skin So Soft was that the mosquitoes seemed to love it - I wasn't as thrilled.

canklecat

DEET or Picaridin for maximum protection.

PMD from lemon eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora) extract is reportedly very effective. Check concentrations.

Some folks say Picaridin and PMD are more pleasant to use than DEET.

Permethrin is primarily useful for applying to clothing and other materials. It's applied directly to the skin only to kill scabies, chiggers, etc.

The original Avon Skin So Soft had an unwarranted reputation for being an effective insect repellent that was exaggerated over time. Local outdoor theaters and entertainment venues provide it because it's safe, harmless and pretty much useless. But people believe it works and if they don't get bitten the illusion is reinforced. In fact they may have been bitten by mosquitoes but if they take effective antihistamines for allergies they'd probably never notice any reaction anyway. That doesn't mean they didn't get bitten or that the mosquito didn't transmit disease.

Avon now makes a version of Skin So Soft with Picaridin, which is reportedly moderately effective when applied carefully and renewed every hour or so.

I usually carry small bottles or Mylar packets of combined sun screen and effective insect repellent. Makes it easier to get it all done at once. Seems to be effective too. I usually choose the sunscreens that contain DEET but this year I may try the Picaridin or eucalyptus derivative just out of curiosity.

noglider 

We are spending the weekend in upstate New York where the tick problem is said to be bad. Friends from Florida are visiting us, and they're scared, so they'll be bringing tick repellent.

Sometimes, my wife and I inspect each other naked to be safe. I'll be telling my guests to do that with each other.

angerdan

For home defense use this:
https://biogents-webshop-usa.myshopify.com/
Mosquito Traps To Protect Your Home Or Business | Mosquito Magnet®

JohnJ80

This is almost at comic joke status here in Minnesota where we refer to the mosquito as the state bird. I swear this just help tell them where you are.

JohnJ80

[QUOTE=noglider;20394065]Sometimes, my wife and I inspect each other naked to be safe./QUOTE]

Good one. I'm going to give that a shot tonight and see how far I get with it.

noglider 

She asked me to check her out!

JohnJ80

angerdan

thermacell.com offers Portable Repellers