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-   -   Mosquitos are chasing me! (https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/1209450-mosquitos-chasing-me.html)

Moe Zhoost 08-06-20 01:39 PM


Originally Posted by pdlamb (Post 21626730)
Do you have a source for that 2 mph figure? I know I've been bitten riding up to about 12 mph without a perceptible wind. Some of that could have been an imperceptible breeze (maybe 2-3 mph), Some of it might have been turbulence, in which mosquitos flew into my slipstream and then flew up. Or maybe mosquitos down here fly faster so they can feast off the awesome southeastern football players? :)

Here's one. If you google you will find many others.

Bill in VA 08-06-20 03:05 PM


Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 21626812)
With a steady onshore breeze , Mozzys are only an issue where trees make still air..

Try the Outer Banks of NC, especially near the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge. The big black mosquitoes down there are able to fly into a 25 knot wind. We would wear Gore-tex rain gear and beekeeper hats and leather work gloves when they were bad.

mike_on_a_bike 08-08-21 07:36 PM

Looking for advice about DEET vs synthetics
 

Originally Posted by indyfabz (Post 21625532)
DEET can eat through synthetic materials. Ask me how I know, because I’ve toured in infested parts of Montana.

I was going to post a thread asking about this, but it might be better adding to this one. Mosquitos are bad in my area this year. I do lots of night rides and want to be better protected during quick rest stops. DEET is my repellant of choice, it works well for me but I've been paranoid about spraying it far from my bike shorts. Sometimes I squirt it on my hands and use hands to apply so that no mist hits my shorts. My shorts are the only thing I wear that's expensive and vulnerable. They contain some elastane (AKA lycra, spandex). Nylon, cotton and wool are safe with DEET. I don't mess with bibs or anything, just some cheap t-shirt and thin wool socks, so it's just the shorts. But I tend to get bitten near the bottoms of the shorts in the area I avoid putting DEET.

I don't know how cautious I need to be here. If I spray my legs first and let them dry, then put the shorts on, will they get damaged over time? If a little stray mist floats by them, is that an issue over time? If It dries/absorbs on my skin but then I sweat a lot, is that still concentrated enough to matter?

What are people's real world experiences with the vulnerability of synthetics to DEET? Is it only an issue if you spray it directly all over your clothes?

gringomojado 08-08-21 08:10 PM

Mosquitos on PEDs are very fast, can't outride them

Avon has "Bug guard, skin so soft" This is combo SPF and skeeter scooter. Works well and doesn't irritate skin.

gm

Kapusta 08-09-21 06:06 AM


Originally Posted by Moe Zhoost (Post 21626516)
Well, since mosquitos can only fly 2 mph max, I suspect one of three things: 1) Perhaps you are slowing down more than you claim to be. 2) You are getting bit by some other insect. Deer flys would target your back but I'd guess you would be able to tell the difference between a deer fly bit vs. a wimpy skeeter. Or 3) It may be that there are just a lot of mosquitoes where you ride and instead of chasing and catching up, you are just encountering successive clouds of them.

Anyway, to respond to your post: I've used DEET successfully for everything except chiggers. I don't really like the oily skin feeling though. I've started using permethrin treated clothing and it seems to work better, though it's a hassle because you need to wash separately.

Good luck.

They don’t need to fly at 4mph to hang out in your draft.

Phil_gretz 08-09-21 06:26 AM

Yesterday, we paddle boarded on the Occoquan Reservoir with our daughter, son-in-law and their dog. On the return leg, the wind was perfect to create still air around me. Unfortunately, biting flies found me about 200 yards from shore. They had their fill of me as I paddled. It's really difficult to reach down and swat/slap them on your calves while maintaining balance. It's even worse to tilt your head downward to see where to slap.

I was forced to keep my head up and to paddle to the end, allowing them free reign to feed. How fun!

Kapusta 08-09-21 06:26 AM

We have switched from DEET to picaridin repellents. They seem to work just as well, and picaridin does not damage plastics.

indyfabz 08-09-21 06:40 AM


Originally Posted by mike_on_a_bike (Post 22176365)

What are people's real world experiences with the vulnerability of synthetics to DEET? Is it only an issue if you spray it directly all over your clothes?

I don't think there is much of an issue if you get a little mist on something like your shorts. Definitely don't spray it directly on your shorts. (As you might know, skeeters can, and will, bite through bike shorts.) I did that before knowing its power and ruined a pair. The spray in the hand method is what I use, then I try to rinse off my hands in case I happen to touch my clothing while riding.

Rick 08-09-21 09:03 AM

I worked in a bicycle shop in Michigan and every Thursday night we went to Hell in the Pinckney Recreation area to ride our mountain bikes. If we even slowed down a little the bugs were on us. The noise of many insects approaching while others were biting was motivation to get moving even faster. We parked at the Dam Site Inn and did a loop back to the vehicles. We would eat dinner at the Dam Site Inn. I recently checked and the restaurant is under new ownership and they no longer serve the Hell Burger.

Troul 08-09-21 09:19 AM


Originally Posted by Rick (Post 22176931)
I worked in a bicycle shop in Michigan and every Thursday night we went to Hell in the Pinckney Recreation area to ride our mountain bikes. If we even slowed down a little the bugs were on us. The noise of many insects approaching while others were biting was motivation to get moving even faster. We parked at the Dam Site Inn and did a loop back to the vehicles. We would eat dinner at the Dam Site Inn. I recently checked and the restaurant is under new ownership and they no longer serve the Hell Burger.

wth, that's a dam shame.

Broctoon 08-09-21 09:34 AM

If you can get hold of some permethrin, it has advantages over DEET or similar repellents: it is odorless; you can treat your clothes with it and it will remain, even through several wash cycles; and it doesn't just repel insects, it kills them.

Charliekeet 08-09-21 03:29 PM


Originally Posted by Kapusta (Post 22176722)
We have switched from DEET to picaridin repellents. They seem to work just as well, and picaridin does not damage plastics.

We've tried them too. They do seem to to work as well, although on my skin for some reason it was irritating. (Not much, but still.) May have been the other stuff in it though, IDK.
We have a range of things including the picaridin by Sawyer, the Repel mentioned above, and some with DEET. I always get bitten regardless of which one I use, but it's always less than if I were NOT wearing something, so it is what it is.

Riveting 08-09-21 03:42 PM

I believe mosquitos are attracted to the CO2 in your exhale, so the simple answer is to stop breathing.

tomato coupe 08-09-21 04:00 PM


Originally Posted by Reflector Guy (Post 21626753)
The Google says its usually 1 to 1.5 MPH.

I was on a mosquito forum the other day. They all claimed they could average 3 mph in a group flight, but I think it's just typical internet inflation of the actual numbers.

Troul 08-09-21 04:49 PM

but do they keep there VO2max in check when buzzing at 3 mph?

gringomojado 08-09-21 07:42 PM

Mosquito Forum?

gm

Troul 08-09-21 07:43 PM


Originally Posted by gringomojado (Post 22177995)
Mosquito Forum?

gm

some might think it sucks, but I'd feel the itch to join in order to find out for myself.

Broctoon 08-09-21 07:54 PM


Originally Posted by Troul (Post 22177997)
some might think it sucks, but I'd feel the itch to join in order to find out for myself.

I might buzz over there and probe around a little.

Troul 08-09-21 08:27 PM


Originally Posted by Broctoon (Post 22178015)
I might buzz over there and probe around a little.

don't be surprised if you get sucked in. Could develop a thirst for new knowledge.

Broctoon 08-09-21 08:39 PM


Originally Posted by Troul (Post 22178055)
don't be surprised if you get sucked in. Could develop a thirst for new knowledge.

Oh, that's bloody sweet advice! Hopefully I find the discussions there nourishing.

By the way, you're killing it here tonight--swatting forum topics left and right.

Broctoon 08-09-21 09:51 PM


Originally Posted by Troul (Post 22178055)
don't be surprised if you get sucked in. Could develop a thirst for new knowledge.

Actually, I can’t B Positive, but it seems like that’s one I used to land on a lot. Really enjoyed drinking in what flows there. I’d even say Bike Forums and Mosquito Forums were my favorite pairofsites.

rumrunn6 08-10-21 04:21 AM

I rigged a head net on my MTB helmet last summer. if I can find a pic, I'll come back here

Troul 08-10-21 06:03 AM


Originally Posted by Broctoon (Post 22178122)
Actually, I can’t B Positive, but it seems like that’s one I used to land on a lot. Really enjoyed drinking in what flows there. I’d even say Bike Forums and Mosquito Forums were my favorite pairofsites.

You being more West, has miles of routes that would benefit from such a forum. It just stings me that my state doesn't do much for controlling insects that have a greater PPM than the rocks in the potholes.
Surely that forum will swarm you with a warm welcome & your style of posting will buzz all the ears with them.

Moe Zhoost 08-10-21 06:16 AM


Originally Posted by Kapusta (Post 22176706)
They don’t need to fly at 4mph to hang out in your draft.

With my baggy shorts and tee shirt, they wouldn't be able to handle the turbulence I generate.

1989Pre 08-10-21 06:28 AM

I've had success with Pennyroyal essential oil (don't get it on your skin, is toxic).


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