Bugs?

[roger]

If anyone is on the lake now or was on the lake last week......could you please let me know if the blackflies are still going strong? Thank you

Roger

[RHYBAK]

Just came back yesterday.

Blackflies are still around.
Mosquitoes are around.
Horseflies and Deer flies are in hoards.

Good luck.
Our group is covered in bite marks.
Especially on the neck and below the ears.

[Riverrat]

I agree the bugs are really bad.  I came back on Sunday

[Marco]

Ha, in all the years I have been reading this board I never remember anyone saying "The bugs are good this year!".  3 straight days of weather in the 80s will get rid of those black flies and I see that in the forecast next week.  15 days....

[SgtCrabby]

When we were there last month, the mosquitos were worse the first part of the week than later on.  Flies were minor in comparison. 
Was able to deal with them, and No; the bugs weren't 'good'   .

[Fort Wisers]

Ha, in all the years I have been reading this board I never remember anyone saying "The bugs are good this year!".  3 straight days of weather in the 80s will get rid of those black flies and I see that in the forecast next week.  15 days....

LOL, well put!
You go into the bush, you better expect to encounter flies.

[Greg]

just got back a couple hours ago... yes, they are kinda bad - not HORRIBLE, but I have been there when it has not been as bad.  Especially in evening at sunset and into the night - black flies, mosquitoes, horseflies, etc... you never know what is biting you.  We regularly wore nets over our heads and sprayed everything around our wrists, back of hands, ankles and feet...

[smitty55]

Remember when Muskol was available at 98% deet? That's all we ever used to use. Now in Canada the max is 30%. My sister lives in Georgia and my birthday gift last year was was 2 bottles of Sawyer MaxiDeet and 2 bottles of Repel100, both at 98.11% deet. I'm set for many years now. Or am I? There's plenty enough evidence now that higher concentrations aren't any more effective, or last longer. Research now suggests that deet really isn't that good for you and advises not using any more than necessary. A new, safer product called Picaridin has been tested and is at least equaling deet in effectiveness and actually working on a wider variety of insects. You'd like to think that scientists could get there act together, why our two countries have different regs on the sale of deet products makes no sense.

So I'm wondering what the American members here use when the come up to Kipawa?
Also, has anyone here tried Picaridin? I'd be interested in hearing first hand reports.

Cheers

[CaptainCrappie]

Hello guys.  Over the years, I've used just about every brand of bug repellent on the market. None had lasting effectiveness. The most effective stuff was some powerful spray that the military uses.  You spray your clothing,  it had warnings not to breath it etc. Not supposed to spray it on your skin but what the heck is your clothes touching?  Probably would kill you if you used it enough.  Then one day, while watching the program "The Dimestore Fisherman" a commercial appeared about a bug suit. Fellas, that's the only way to go!  I bought the gloves and the ankle guards too.  I would joke around saying that I felt "impenetrable. " When I was all dressed up, and when the cloud of mosquitoes would descend on our boats in the evening....  You know what I'm talking about...  You can hear em!  Getting closer and closer...I would gloat to the high heavens while all the spraying and swatting and bitching was happening. Anybody like that mosquito buzzing sound around your ears? Only drawback is that the visibility thru the head net is diminished.  But, you are not worrying about getting the sprays on your hands which if transferred to your bait, renders it useless.  Also, the suit won't leave white spots on any of the plastic of your electronics.  Just my two cents.

C.C.

[Marco]

Our group has used mosquito coils, thermacalls, deet products from 25% - 98%, picaridin (only allowed on your clothes), hats with built in nets, rubber gloves, eating garlic, etc.  Heck, when we are in the outpost cabins some guys even bring bug tents to sleep in.  Unfortunately the bugs have been around longer than we have so they are going to get their share of bites.  The thermacells with a belt clip to seem to help in the boats, and a head net if they are thick as thieves.  That and a quick evening docking procedure (aka, tie off and run to the cabin!) is the best you can do outside the full deet suit.

[limacharley]

you guys sound like a bunch of city folk.

[Fort Wisers]

you guys sound like a bunch of city folk.

hahahhahaha agreed