DEET doesn't repel mosquitos,
it's a kind of camoflage.
Mosquitos find potential
blood donors by following a
chemical trail of increased
carbon dioxide, heat and water
vapor. DEET decreases the
mosquitos' ability to follow
the chemical trail to your
exposed skin.
I find DEET in a stick form to be
more convenient than a spray or a
liquid. The stick lets you apply
the repellent accurately to ears,
neck and forehead without getting
any on your fingers, or your
equipment.
DEET varies in its effectiveness
with different insect species.
Blackflies and sand flies are
generally unaffected by DEET.
Use a "broad-spectrum" repellent
to try to keep them at bay.
Here's a web page that describes
which chemicals are effective
against different insect species.
http://www.sawyerproducts.com/Insect_Repellent/repellents_ingredients.
htm
Better than DEET: Find someone
who is emitting more carbon
dioxide and heat than you do.
You can tell who they are by
watching who is complaining
the most about the mosquitos.
Beer drinkers are also supposed
to be more likely to be high
emitters. Stand near that person.=20
The mosquitos will fly past you on
the way to the more inviting target.
--oryoki
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