General Cycling Discussion - Need a good smelling but effective bug repellant.

Yesterdays ride went well except on the hills I was swarmed and eaten by bugs.

Mainly gnats and misquitoes. So I need a effective bug repellant that does not stink to bad. I have no skin conditions nor am I allerigic to bug repellants I just don't like the smell of most of them. I also need one that is safe to use on my face and ears. So long as I keep it out of my eyes there should be no problem.

Isn't there one for kids that would work on adults but if it gets in your eyes from sweat running down your face it does not burn? And its more pleasent smelling? Or would it not be as effective on an adult?

I know deet is a most effective ingredient against bugs but it does not smell the greatest.

Oh I prefere one that I don't have to mail order. I'd rather purchase it at a store.

Thanks.

Try Avon "Skin So Soft" bug guard or OFF "Skintastic"(7% Deet). I don't know how efffective they are against swarms, but they work...and smell better than Deet. I don't like Deet because it melts plastic, rubber, etc...

I have heard of "Jungle Juice". It is a formulation based on citrus and eucalyptus. It is available at *.mart (the evil discount store) in the sporting goods section. I have not tried it but it smells good to me (but not to bugs I guess).

I use either DEET based repellant or a sunblock with added insect repellant, avvailable at your local drug store.

Dan

at the drs. office they had a list on the wall.. the longest lasting is Deep Woods , second was johnson and johnson skintastic... from there the list wanders to juices that can only help you for as little as 15 minutes before reapplying.
much like sunscreen, we have to reapply to make them efficient
p.s. the skintastic smells nice and works for about 60 minutes at a time.

um dont slow down and they wont get ya.... :D sorry i stopped the other day to talk to a guy and the sketters just eat me. of course i still almost swallowed a couple.

Originally posted by Bigwheel
Try Avon "Skin So Soft" bug guard or OFF "Skintastic"(7% Deet). I don't know how efffective they are against swarms, but they work...and smell better than Deet. I don't like Deet because it melts plastic, rubber, etc...

That's the best I've ever used, next to Deisel fuel. Which works better, but, has a lot of nasty side effects.

Originally posted by Mike in KS
um dont slow down and they wont get ya.... :D sorry i stopped the other day to talk to a guy and the sketters just eat me. of course i still almost swallowed a couple.

Thanks Mike I kind of figured that. :D I only get bit when slowly climbing up hills. Other wise the little beggars can't fly fast enough to bite.

A helmet and/or skullcap should protect your forehead so you shouldn't need to apply repellant (or sunscreen) above the eyes.

Riding faster helps until you start running into the little buggers!

Remember, bugs are a great source of protein. Swallow a few of them ;)

I still like Cutters Off. For some reason, I love the smell.