Insect repellent

Marley, thanks for the salt tip, I tried it and it worked well, thankfully all the bites are down now.

Does the Avon skin cream smell? if not then i might try it, I find the scent of many skin products like suncream etc makes me nausesus so never use them.

 

It does smell, but not like suncream. It's fragrance is woodland fresh-I suppose the best way to describe it is like posh air freshener smell but much nicer-it fades after about an hour. It's not cream either, it's a "dry" oil-it isn't greasy.

 

good plan!!!

 

I spent a lot of time a couple of years ago researching repellents, partly because we live in the land of the midge and holiday in the land of the mozzie and also because an ex-Boots pharmacologist (sp?) we know in the land of the mozzie wouldn't touch DEET based products.
DEET works very well.
BUT -
There are health hazards attached to the use of DEET particularly in products containing high percentages of DEET. I posted some of my research on another site and have just had a look to try to get a copy of it ( I didn't keep one), but the server is down. I'll try again tomorrow and if I can will copy and post it here. But the gist is that the Health Board of Canada prohibits DEET based products above a certain % and that if using DEET above (I think 50%) you need to be quite careful and wash it off. The problem with DEET as far as I can recollect is that it can be absorbed through the skin with harmful effects.
We do have a couple of tubes of 100% DEET and at that strength it works wonders, I've not used it though Mrs W, who midges and mozzies regard as 'meals on wheels' found it great, though she only had it on for a few hours in an evening and washed it off before bed.
As far as regards Avon SSS the jury is still out and there appears to be no definitive research findings, though anecdotal evidence is generally supportive. It does however make you smell nice and your skin will be ever so soft!
If anyone is thinking about using a DEET based product I'd recommend a bit of 'Googling' into the subject.

 

Enviromesh overalls?:lollol::lollol::lollol::rotfl:

 

Thanks, Intresting.

At the beginning and end of the day I always shower so hopefully will wash off any traces, I think ill stick to applying it only on the properties when I know there is a bad midgee / horsefly problem as opposed to as a daily summer prophylactic.

 

Won't work with midges Dai!
A few years ago I was camping on a Scottish island in early July and thought I'd be smart and take a mozzie veil to wear over my hat and face.
Discovered the little b....s could get in, but wouldn't go out!!

 

Come out of hibernation Dai:wink: Nice to see you back:gnthb:

 

Yes me to, i get bitten to death and have tried almost everything.
The Avon dry oil really works, but it must be the green woodland fresh one.

 

Pro

Which? have just updated their testing of insect repellants and in the June issue, they recommend Boots Repel Extra Strength and Jungle Formula Extra Strength. These contain 50% DEET. You need to make sure that DEET doesn't touch certain plastics like rucksack clips or sunglasses.

If you want a DEET free formula, they recommend Jungle Formula Family and Superdrug Buzz Off Kids.

 

Update, with the decent weather we are now into horsefly time and with the heat Ive been working topless a fair bit, a combination of the yeast tablets and a couple of puffs of the 100% deet i bought has been working and Ive only been bitten twice to date.

Thanks for all the suggestions, Ill probably try a weaker deet solution once Ive used the strong stuff up.

 

You could always start smoking a pipe Paul.:D

 

Thank you for the salt tip Marley. If I get bitten the itch drives me mad so I'll keep the salt in mind.
For mosquitos, Autan works for me, but you do have to put it everywhere, no point in a wee dab here and there.