General Cycling Discussion - Skeeter Beater

I'm all for feeding the birds. But when setting up camp when touring I'm tired of feeding the Mosquitos. And when the little bastards are eating you alive you can't find the spray fast enough. And it only seems to slow them down.

What do you use as a Mosquito repelent? There has to be something that works better then what we have been using.

This may sound strange but I was asking my doc about that same thing when I was taking my physical for a job in Alaska in the 70's I seemed to attract the buggers. He told me to take a good vitamin b complex supplement and it worked. But also over the years I have increased the amount of garlic in my diet and they don't bother me. It doesn't work for everybody but I have converted a couple of people of the years. Not being a scientist to over simplify the explanation the vitamin B and garlic makes your blood smell bad to them or something along those lines so they are not attracted to it. I stopped using the vitamin b a long time ago and i still don't get bothered. But I do try and consume at least one clove of garlic daily, and no I don't necessarily eat it raw and by the spoonful I just added it to my cooking.

Garlic helps also Skin So Soft and Skin So Soft mixed with alchool.
Joe

I've heard of the garlic, and the skin so soft.

You can always go with the insect repellent with the DEET, but be sure to not saturate your skin- apparently, there's been some incidents of people poisoning themselves by saturating their pores with the stuff.

Originally posted by joeprim
Garlic helps also Skin So Soft and Skin So Soft mixed with alchool.
Joe

Well, its not that the alcohol keeps them away, but drink enough and you just don't care! (grin)

Bob

Originally posted by joeprim
Garlic helps also Skin So Soft and Skin So Soft mixed with alchool.
Joe

ANything mixed with alcohol helps!

I never thought of using garlic as a topical aplication but I bet it does chase away those nasty skeeters, And maybe it would attract some hot Italian Babes if I walked through little Italy :)

I read somewhere that there is an ingredient in certain insect repellent that will melt lycra and nylon.

When I was doing lots of bike-camping I sometimes noticed strange melted places on my shorts after a trip. After reading that information I became very careful and the problem disappeared.

Can't remember where I read this :rolleyes: .

In fjordland (sandflies heaven) i tried one that says "don`t use on a regular base" worked fine for me.

Go to a backpacking/outdoor outfitter and pick up some spray that is 100% active (DEET). Not only is it lighter, (because it contains no filler) you can use much less and it works like a charm!

CranialCrusader

I looked at the high DEET sprays at EMS, but the S.O. dos'ent like the idea of using so much. . I did pick up some, so I will try it, and the garlic and B12. one at a time and see wich works. I also found bug candles that fit in my lantren