Touring - Mosquitoes??

How bad are the little blood suckers along the Southern Tier in March and April?
Any suggestions and tips or just grin and bear it?

What I have used in the past is a Permethrin Pump Spray (Here is a listing at REI: http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=48139343&parent_category_rn=4500561&vcat=REI_SEARCH)

It is supposed to be good for several washings.

I haven't tested it much when I ride but it is something I have used.

Ray

If traveling west to east, you'll start seeing them in the Gulf Coast. Not a worry while riding, but could start being a PITA in the early evenings if camping.

I don't know about the Southern Tier, but up here in Canada, West Nile disease is a fairly big issue. If you were cycling up here, I'd strongly recommend "bug spray" of some sort.

Over here we only have to worry about malaria!
I've used mil-spec permithrin before but I don''t feel
comfortable with the stuff.The MSDS sheets were creepy
reading.
Isn't there some kind of Avon product that keeps them away?
Skin so Soft or something?

The only kind of insect-repellents that I really trust are ones containing DEET. It's no picnic to use such a noxious chemical, but I wash my hands and avoid touching my mouth, nose and eyes after applying it.

The only kind of insect-repellents that I really trust are ones containing DEET. It's no picnic to use such a noxious chemical, but I wash my hands and avoid touching my mouth, nose and eyes after applying it.

+1 - Good idea to take some DEET so you have something that works in case the mosquitoes haven't gotten on-board the "all natural" bandwagon yet.

The tiger mosquitos have really gotten terrible in the Southeast during the last few years. There have been a few cases of West Nile Virus along the Gulf coast.They seem to bite all during the day and Deet is the only thing I have found that will repel them. As some have said, they won't be bad on the bike but if you plan to camp they will be thick. They seem to love some people (I am one of those) and others they leave alone.

Al

Some mosquitos (Alaskan ones) are capable of biting through bike tights on the slow (uphill) stretches of a long ride. Generous applications of a deet repellent to clothes and skin seems to be the only remedy.

Over here we only have to worry about malaria!
I've used mil-spec permithrin before but I don''t feel
comfortable with the stuff.The MSDS sheets were creepy
reading.
Isn't there some kind of Avon product that keeps them away?
Skin so Soft or something?

Here's some West Nile info:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/wnv-vno_e.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm
http://westnilevirus.nbii.gov/mosquitoes.html

And yes, Avon's Skin So Soft lotion is theoretically supposed to keep mosquitoes at bay. I've used it, and it works to some degree if there aren't a lot of mosquitoes, but when they come out as thick as they do in June in Manitoba ... the Skin So Soft just doesn't cut it anymore.

Some mosquitos (Alaskan ones) are capable of biting through bike tights on the slow (uphill) stretches of a long ride. Generous applications of a deet repellent to clothes and skin seems to be the only remedy.

And Canadian ones!! I did a very memorable ride last summer ... and ended up with over 30 bites on the area covered by my black shorts. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing. It was a hot windy day ... I didn't expect them to be out!!!

The Skin so soft stuff really gained note for blackflies, it has never been effective on mos. to any degree, though it is marketed for use on children because it is less nasty.

There is supposed to be a new Cutter product that is not deet, and is as effective, but somewhat nicer. There was a lot of talk about it last year. So far it hasn't reached my neck of the woods. Cutter used to be the best product before Muskol and the various deet products.

Mos. suits and citronella jackets are very effective.