Living with Mosquitoes

[Buck]

As a fisherman who can order off the "honored citizens" menu, I've been living with mosquitoes for many decades. I've read a lot of posts from people who appear to kind of freaked out when mosquitoes are out in force. This post is intended to offer some tips for how to live with mosquitoes so you and your families can enjoy your passion of fishing.

1. Use Deet. It flat out works and the studies support that. We use the new Repel wipes to cover the nooks and crannies and refresh them with the pump spray bottle.

2. Wear thick, loose clothing if possible. Carhartt jeans work great - the bugs have trouble biting through tough work jeans. Apply a light spray (aerosol) to areas like your thighs and ankles to make sure they don't sneak in and get you there.

3. Don't forget the little spots. I've gotten many bites over the years on my upper wrist while wearing a long sleeve shirt with button sleeves because I forgot to apply Deet there.

4. Once you apply Deet thoroughly, RELAX. It works. Tell yourself, it works and I can relax now even with mosquitoes buzzing about. You won't get bitten if you've applied Deet everywhere.

5. Keep the campfire going. Mosquitoes don't like campfire smoke.

6. Select a campsite with a breeze. The breeze will push mosquitoes back into the woods.

7. Final tip. GET OUT ON THE LAKE. Mosquitoes rarely venture out on the lake and if you're still a little freaked out, you can get some respite and catch some fish.

Hope these tips help. If anyone else has any to offer, please do so.

[Dullhook]

Thanks for the excellent tips Buck. On the last trip I even got nailed once on my posterior, which was unsprayed and presents a very large target :D. May have to take your advice and get a thicker pair of britches! The only thing that might be included is: when buying aerosol bug spray be sure to read the ingredients list and check for the % of DEET. It can range from very little to a high percentage even within the same brand. The higher the better for good protection that lasts.

[shorthair]

My solution is even easier I just take my wife with me the skeeters love her & if she's within 50 yds of me I won't even have a bug near me even if she's coated in deet they just plain love her. :whistle::whistle:

[boatman]

This will get flamed fast but this has worked for me for 20 years. I buy Raid spray and put it on my clothes only in very small amounts. All bug stay away. Also my hat. It works to help keep them out of your tt,tent,or house, by spraying around the door,windows.:twocents:

[Bill Rogue V.]

I also find that if I have been bitten several times while fishing the same area, I react less and less with succeeding bites. I think you develop an immunity to the local strain of skeeters and their saliva isn't as irritating.

[FrogPond]

My wife gets full on blisters from each bite. She will be sporting every known line of defense against the little biters this summer for our 2 weeks in Alaska. I am VERY concerned about her on this trip.

We just purchased the 2 non-spray measures: the Clip On and Thermacell. They were deployed last weekend at Crane Prairie with no bites reported. (I would not characterize the amount or tenacity of the skeeters as very bad though)

[chartreuse moose]

I just got off the phone with a Buddie of mine that just fished Diamond ,and he said the mosquitoes this year are so big there . He saw two with tattoo's
and he came home a quart low.

[Luni]

I just got off the phone with a Buddie of mine that just fished Diamond ,and he said the mosquitoes this year are so big there . He saw two with tattoo's
and he came home a quart low.


I LOL'd thats just funny :)

[Cannon]

I just got off the phone with a Buddie of mine that just fished Diamond ,and he said the mosquitoes this year are so big there . He saw two with tattoo's
and he came home a quart low.
Its when you wake up to them drawing straws and sharpening their knives that you need to be worried. Another concern is when your dog is packed off and there are no eagles to blame!:thisbig:

[Bill Rogue V.]

Thanks for the head's up on the skeeters at Diamond. I'm going up Sunday for a couple of days, and the USFS confirms skeeters the size of small birds ...

[TakeEm]

I also find that if I have been bitten several times while fishing the same area, I react less and less with succeeding bites. I think you develop an immunity to the local strain of skeeters and their saliva isn't as irritating.
Well Bill to tell you the truth a human can build up a resitance to certain bug bites. After a large number of bites your skin can really exude an oil the acts just like a repellent. There are three good ways to avoid the little blood suckers;

1. N-diethyl-m-toluamide (Deet) is the best additive to look for in a repellent. Most standard repellents have only about 17%, and these are great for lets say a backyard BB-Q. But for guys like us who are out in the thick of them you need something more like 98%!! If you go to a good outdoor store like REI or Mck. Outfitters you can find some good repellents.
2. A simple and very cheap bug net goes a long way. You can get on of these for less then Ten bucks. Some people dont like them cause they are almost as annoying as the bugs themselves. If you wear a hat with them it will keep the net from tickling you ears and face.

3. Clothing can further be treated with Pyrethrin spray, its a natural occuring toxin found in daisy flower heads that kills insects on contact. Pyrethrin is one of the active components in pet flea and tick sprays. Beware do not spray this directy to you skin. I just lay out my clothes and tent and give them a good dose of this stuff and it works good, make sure it is totally dry befor you put them on though.

Oh man I can tell I have been reading way to many books!!!!

[moknots]

My wife gets full on blisters from each bite. She will be sporting every known line of defense against the little biters this summer for our 2 weeks in Alaska. I am VERY concerned about her on this trip.

We just purchased the 2 non-spray measures: the Clip On and Thermacell. They were deployed last weekend at Crane Prairie with no bites reported. (I would not characterize the amount or tenacity of the skeeters as very bad though)

Alaska, awesome! June seems like the worst month for "the state bird of Alaska" (they do get big!). Just remember, if you buy BEAR REPELLENT spray, it does NOT work the same way as bug repellant:D You gotta spray the bear, not the wife!! Have a blast!

[Chug]

Memories of being up above the arctic. Have a photo, of red sweatpants. Brown with fur.. ALL SKEETERS. In one summer used up two small bottles of Uncle Ben's 100% deet. GOOD STUFF!!.. taste nasty.. but works!!.

When the air is so thick, breathing is tough at times.. Making water.. man Oh MAN!!.. gives a whole new meaning to swatting the flies!!.

Or the 30 Yard DUMP!!.And still Nailed.. ( will let you guess that one ):D:D

Then going to bed in the Tent. 24 hours day light. Killing every skeeter inside your tent. Wake up in morning to find few more on the roof.. As you kill them a Nice RED GOO shows up.... grrrrrrrrrrr..

Just evil critters.

[tylerwalts]

When I just can't stand them anymore I like to play a game I call bug-pong by using one of those electronic racquet-type of zappers to go ape crazy on the buggers. It doesn't really help that much - reserve troops seem to come back stronger for revenge of their fallen brethen, but it is a great mental release. :meme:

[Drive]

This is probably not PC, but my Dad gave me a couple bags of DDT before he passed away. I just lightly dust all clothing and areas around our campsite, no skeeter problems!!! That stuff works great, better than that wimpy 100% DEET.
:D

[Beginners luck]

Good info! Keep it coming.
Last year was my 1st early archery hunt. I WAS EATEN ALIVE!! :food: Had well over 30 bites. Through my boonie hat! Long sleeve shirts! Even some lightwieght gloves. They didnt seem to bother my buddy at all. Now Ive got the Bens spray and the 100% Bens small bottle in my pack. All other info greatly appreciated. Thermacell may be next!