David,
I have been using OFF!, a picaridin based repellent for a few years now, and
find it excellent. Not only works well on insects, but is good for leeches as
well. I have even used to repel bed bugs in SE Asia. I would not go back to
using a DEET based repellent.
Carl Clifford
> On 18 Feb 2015, at 8:10 am, David Adams <> wrote:
>
> Carl,
>
> Thanks for the notice and thanks to Paul for the link. What a disturbing
> but well done piece!
>
> I've got a few suggestions on insect repellants that I thought I'd pass
> along to anyone that hasn't been as paranoid about bugs as me. As it turns
> out, there's a lot of research on what works and what doesn't for ticks and
> mossies. The US Army and ADF have done projects together since both deploy
> troops into areas with horrific insect-born disease. Off the top of my head:
>
> * Yes, the US Army and ADF managed to invent a 100% effective insect
> repellant system, when applied. When applied. So horrible that people
> weren't compliant. It doesn't work if you don't use it...which is why I
> like Picaradin rather than DEET.
>
> * DEET is effective against mossies, not so much for ticks. It's also
> greasy, nasty, and tends to melt plastics. Not ideal for birders.
>
> * Picaradin (available here in Aus - look for no mention of DEET on the
> front and 'goes on like water' as a claim. The ingredients list will list
> Picaradin.) I love this stuff for mossies! I think I've converted most of
> the local bird club to my way of thinking on this. Picaradin doesn't smell
> bad, isn't greasy and doesn't seem to melt plastic instantly like DEET. It
> works great for mossies. Ticks? I'm not sure.
>
> * Mossies can bite you without you knowing it and ticks can certainly bite
> you long before you notice. If you're anything like me, I think of putting
> on insect repellant *after* I'm needing it. That's okay when they're an
> irritant, not good when they may be carrying something horrible like
> Malaria or Dengue. This leads to Permethrin. This chemical is based on a
> natural compound but is entirely synthetic, as I understand it. If you
> apply it to your skin, it breaks down and does you no good. Instead, you
> use it to treat your clothes. An application lasts for many weeks and is
> highly effective against mosquitoes and *even more effective against
> ticks." Mossies it repels, ticks it kills. The stuff is amazing, you can be
> standing in a damp, dark mossie-infested pit/birder's paradise and nothing
> lands on you. Magic.
>
> * Permethrin-like chemicals (pyrethroids) in other formulations are built
> into clothes and netting as long-lasting insect repellants (That's what's
> going on with those five-year mossie nets they distribute and sell in
> various locations in Africa.) I've used long-sleeved shirts and pants like
> this. Fancy travel brands like ExOfficio (etc.) sell this sort of stuff. I
> get the SPF 30+, quick drying ones. Be forewarned: Just add binoculars and
> camera to make sure that you blend in with the locals anywhere.
> (Cough-cough.) Also, it seems like this stuff makes your sweat smell
> horrible in about 15 seconds. I have not found this to be so much the case
> when you treat normal clothes with Permethrin. So, the pre-built ones are
> more convenient and the repellant properties last long...but treating your
> own gives you more flexibility and you still get weeks of coverage.
>
> * Lots of people like botanical repellants of one sort or another. If they
> work for you, fantastic. Studies have shown them to be (depending on
> compound) ineffective to minimally effective. I like Picaradin (or DEET if
> I must) because I don't have to remember to reapply the material very
> often. With botanicals that do work a bit, you have to reapply very, very
> frequently to keep the bugs away. I'm. Too. Lazy. To be honest, I only get
> worked up about all of this when I'm going somewhere with something
> horrific like Malaria...then I'm all about getting zero mossie
> bites...that's the only way to be sure. (Oh, and for anyone doing Malarial
> prophylactics, I encourage you to consider Malarone. Much easier to
> tolerate than Doxycycline and you don't have to keep taking it for so long.)
>
> Again, all of that is off the top of my head and I'm sure I've blurred or
> messed up some details....but there are a few general impressions and
> anecdotal reports from someone that's tried a lot of bug repellants. If
> anyone has found other effective tools, please share with the list!
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