Beating the Bugs

[T-Bone]

I'll start by saying this is well-worn territory, but things do evolve...especially experiences with products and products, in general.

Well...we swore we'd never doing it again. That's return to Kipawa in early/mid June due to the bugs driving us crazy. Yeah...the skeeters are bad, but it's those black fly little buggers that drive me crazy. Generally, I can handle the hassle of the bugs (except when a black fly flies up your nose or gets deep into your ear canal and starts tickling your brain). My son Brady and nephew Mattie though...it's not pretty. It's like they "taste" different...the bugs just swarm onto them.

So this year we're heading up June 4th and expect the full cascade of skeeters and black flies as thick as thieves. We're stocked with (3) Thermacell units, plenty of pads and butane, and nets for over the bed (not much drives me more crazy than skeeters buzzing in your ears all night). I've got the turkey hunting under layer bug clothing top and bottom, even a skullcap that covers everything but the face. What I'm looking for is the "use this product" advice as it relates to lotion / spray.

Do you go with 100% DEET? I've seen that stuff melt plastic, so I'm not so sure I want to put it on my face/neck/ears. I see Repel has a 40% and 100% DEET formula. Is Ultrathon any good? Ben's? What about the Skin-So-Soft route? Or the lemon/eucalyptus route? Just looking for some referral or testimonial of what works and what doesn't for you.

Or, how about 'natural' options? I remember old Ed Brink from the old-old Board used to swear by eating raw garlic every day. Another old timer that started me on this adventure when I was 8 years old simply didn't shower. Yeah...it wasn't pretty and the "aura" of his presence was a bit much, but the bugs didn't bother him.

And before any of you jokers start with the "don't go up until late-July if you don't like bugs", I can assure you we know that as that's our typical time frame.

As always, any insights and suggestions are appreciated.

43...

[john c]

I tried the skin-so-soft, the guy in the other end of the boat was sooooo happy cause all the bugs came to me, it worked great for him.  I know 2 guys who eat garlic every day for 2 months BEFORE the trip and it works for them ( eat the garlic while there too).  The best for me is 100% deet ---------DO NOT GET IT ON MONO FISHING LINE, it will eat it up.  And try it on your skin before you go it might cause you bad pain and sores.  It doesn't bother me.  Other than that go back to your old time frame .

John

[Jay Thomas]

Good morning Todd,

If the fishing is good, the bugs won't matter. If the fishing is poor, all you will remember is the bugs. I rarely use bug sprays directly on my skin and I never use DEET. For bug protection, I use a pull over bug jacket (with hood) and I wear golf gloves to protect my hands.

For years, our group has burnt mosquito coils to clear the cabin of mosquitoes while we're out for the night bite. Although the mosquito coils work quite well, it's a chemical solution. I wouldn't mind trying bug nets over the beds. So I was wondering if you could share with me where you buy those bug nets.

Jay

[T-Bone]

Thanks for the info. As for the bed nets, there are two ends of the spectrum...cheap and not-so-cheap...(like anything in life)...

Here's the not-so-cheap, but I invested in this anyway as it's so convenient:

http://www.amazon.com/SansBug-Free-Standing-Pop-Up-Mosquito-Net-Floor/dp/B003BWF9WI/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1429716218&sr=1-1&keywords=sans+bug

Here are the other options, or something like these:

http://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-9770-Travellers-Mosquito-Net/dp/B000ECO9GK/ref=pd_sim_sg_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=17TGNXY0SWG5ZV5NDSMM

http://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-Mosquito-Net-Single-White/dp/B000KKB2OS/ref=pd_sim_sg_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=17TGNXY0SWG5ZV5NDSMM

[Dog]

I hate the bugs.. hate hate hate the bugs... I'd venture to say I would be having a miserable time if I was pulling in 30" walleyes every 5 minutes if I was getting stung by bugs, that's how bad I hate them...

1st layer of defense (create a cacoon of stuff they hate so long as it's not windy these work well)
I also don't do lotions or sprays and relay on my thermacell clipped to my belt. We also burn a thermacell lantern in the cabin (make sure at least two windows are cracked for cross ventillation) which probably puts a good solid layer of the scent on all our clothing...

2nd layer of defense (don't smell like a human if they brave the aerial assault barrier of the thermacell)
Not showering every day is not an option I am willing to entertain, so last year I used this while showering starting with the night prior to arrival at the auberge
http://www.amazon.com/Scent-A-Way-oz-Deodorizing-Liquid-Soap/dp/B002L9G458/ref=zg_bs_3413671_3
(seemed to work well, don't get in your eyes, ears or mouth though...)

3rd layer of defense (fully cover up all skin while staying cool (to prevent sweating))

I simply cover up all exposed skin (including wearing neoprene gloves and a headnet over a wide brim hat (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=58564606&cp=4406646.4413993.4414792&fg=Brand)

My experience is that bugs are attracted to sweat (and stress) so keeping cool is key (under armor heatgear clothing I've found to be great at this while providing full skin protection from the sun as well I also have these to wear
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Guidewear174-Mens-Sun-Sleeves/1931632.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dmens%2Bsun%2Bsleeves%26x%3D10%26y%3D6%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=mens+sun+sleeves and
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1931633&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D1931632%26type%3Dproduct%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26searchPath%3D%252Fcatalog%252Fsearch.cmd%253Fform_state%253DsearchForm%2526N%253D0%2526fsch%253Dtrue%2526Ntk%253DAllProducts%2526Ntt%253Dmens%252Bsun%252Bsleeves%2526x%253D10%2526y%253D6%2526WTz_l%253DHeader%25253BSearch-All%252BProducts%26Ntt%3Dmens%2Bsun%2Bsleeves
both these kept me really cool in July last year. while the bugs weren't bad when they did come out and I suited up they couldn't penetrate  my clothing or headnet to sting me. I was cool despite being fully covered from head to toe.

hope this helps

[RHYBAK]

I've been wearing this product the last two years.
http://www.off.ca/en-CA/Products/Pages/OFF-Clip-On.aspx

But to be honest with you, I go out in shorts and T shirt until around 9:30 P.M.
Like Jay says... If the fishing is good, the bugs are non existent.

At9:30  the bugs start to appear and the fishing gets better.
I give it 10 more minutes ,then put on my rainsuit...nothing will penetrate that Armour.
Another 10 minutes and it's time to head in.

Good luck considering you'll be going the first of June.
Prime Black Fly time.

[fishtildark]

I think most of the possible remedies have been covered. I too opt out of the 100 % deet because years ago the Cabelas Canadian formula melted my reel handle and my skin on my face...I have been relying lately on regular deep woods off , the citronella candles in the can in bottom of boat and occasionally a big cloud of cigar smoke. Dont usually smoke them and quit cigarettes but if you dont inhale them , the stinkier the better. I know this doesnt help with the kids or in the bunk.. as to the shower, use unscented soap like ivory or some others on market . Garlic does seem to work. tell the kids its a fancy seashell necklace.. Incidentally , last year in early june they werent bad so we are probably due....
44 days

[SunriseSunshine]

The only thing I can add is don't eat bananas for a month prior to going or while you are there.  Apparently, blackflies love the sweetness bananas bring to your skin! ?? Good luck!  Oh, when the mosquitoes are bad, I burn a pic mosquito coil right outside the door to the cottage, or just inside if there is a breeze blowing the smoke out the door.  Helps to keep them out of the cottage!

[michelle]

Ungava ,comes in lotion or spray,think it's 30 % deet or Watkins spray...can buy at petro can or Home Hardware in Temiscaming.

[jackalofnar]

When up at the camp I sleep with earplugs.  It helps block out the sound of the mosquitos if they are on the hunt and keeps my sanity.  We also burn a mosquito coil some nights.

Luckily where I stay is on an island and there is almost always a good breeze.

[SnodT2120]

When up at the camp I sleep with earplugs.  It helps block out the sound of the mosquitos if they are on the hunt and keeps my sanity.  We also burn a mosquito coil some nights.

Luckily where I stay is on an island and there is almost always a good breeze.

Theramcell's work well in the boats.. If I have to use bug spray, I will spray it on my hat and on the collar of my shirt and sleeves near my wrists.. That way I do not have to have it directly on my skin.. It they get really bad, I put a head net on right before it gets dark.. In the cabins we light a coil that usually lasts a good while into the night. I seem to get bit more so than others, but hey, I'd rather catch fish than worry about a pesky mosquito.

[puckster_guy]

 I prefer beer....the more you drink the less you notice them