View Full Version : Insect repellent ...
Having been to Scotland and discovered probably the world's population of midges within 200m of our camp (who decended on my toothbrush and turned it into a protein lolly), I'm wondering what the best, most effective non-DEET insect repellent is?
We tried something called Shoo! but that just seemed to act as an adhesive for them so they could hold on better and get multiple bites in :shock: :twisted: I've heard of something called "Skin So Soft" but never tried it ...
Or is a mozzie net the best solution?
Any ideas would be appreciated ... either that or never go back to Scotland! Or Cornwall for that matter but that was bees ... however I'll leave that story for another day :shock:
Ahhh!
A subject I can finally comment on.
I recently spent a day with the senior instructor at the UK Survival School based in Hereford and this was a Question I asked, as I am planning to go on their Jungle course in South east Asia and he commented about Deet being harmful to everything from your skin to destroying your maps and compasses.
The answer was either a product called Jungle formula available from Boots or charcoal dust from dead/cold fire embers - blacken up the exposed skin areas - depending what company your in depends on how daft you look, but it does work, nature's insect repellent was his comment - this guy has a wealth of experince and the ability to pass it on, it truly does work
At the time he was teaching me tracking techniques and said it was also good for disguising your scent against animals.
We would also use mossie net's any way.
Regards
Paul
A consumer testing magazine over on this side of the Pond (Consumer Reports, I think) got good results on mosquitoes and ticks with a product with 40% oil of lemon eucalyptus (E. citriodora) in it. The brand was Repel. Didn't work as long as deet-based products but worked well while it lasted.
SquirrelBoy
15-02-2004, 10:25
The best anti-midge repellant i`ve heard of is the Avon Skin So-Soft (yes the ding dong.. avon calling fame), it had rave reviews somewhere - it must have as I wrote it down so as not to forget :lol:
Also claimed to work is to eat garlic.
Tea Tree, citronella and eucalyptus is also good at repelling them. If using DEET remember to keep it off plastic :roll:
I've heard about this before but never tried it ... guess their stuff had to be good for something! :-D
The best anti-midge repellant i`ve heard of is the Avon Skin So-Soft (yes the ding dong.. avon calling fame), it had rave reviews somewhere - it must have as I wrote it down so as not to forget :lol:
I had a serious reaction to DEET a while back (it was raining pretty heavily and I think it must have run down into my eyes :cry:) I had all over pins and needles for several weeks which really was very scary. :yikes:
Nasty stuff - I stopped using it at that point and won't go near the :-x :evil: stuff again!
I must not taste very nice because I never seem to get bitten much, even when others are.
I have been told (but don't know there's any back up for it) that Vitamin C is toxic to mozzies et al so if you have a high Vit C level in your body, they won't bite.
Problem with that is, you cant give yourself high vitC levels, as soon as you have enough, you just pee out the surplus. You can have a deficiency, or just enough, but not too much.
Nothing works against a determined scots midge! Take it from me - I've surveyed many woodlands on the west coast of scotland and have tried every repellant conceivable - nothing works for very long. A head net is your best bet, but then you get hot and sweaty and your view is restricted. If there is one creature that can turn a reasonably sane man into a screaming lunatic - it's the MIDGE!!!!
Nothing works against a determined scots midge! Take it from me - I've surveyed many woodlands on the west coast of scotland and have tried every repellant conceivable - nothing works for very long. A head net is your best bet, but then you get hot and sweaty and your view is restricted. If there is one creature that can turn a reasonably sane man into a screaming lunatic - it's the MIDGE!!!!
On this side of the Pond, and especially in our northern States and in Canada, late Spring and early Summer is the season of the dreaded "Black Fly," a name given to several species, of which Simulium venustum and S. jenningsi seem to be the worst biters. "Fruit Fly" sized beasts, they need cool, flowing water to breed, and only the females bite. :roll: In addition to carrying various nasty diseases, their bites leave open sores that itch for weeks. They land on you, then scurry about in a characteristic, busy way, looking for openings in your clothing so they can satisy their blood lust. :yikes: In bad "Black Fly" areas, outdoor activites await warmer weather, when they stop breeding and die out for the season. Some Black Flies are heard to hum something suspiciously like Cock O' the North when attacking.
I watched an excellent natiure programme about the moose on TV recently. At the worst point of the season, the blackfly there was so bad that the animals were forced away from the river areas where they feed and the film crew had to go home for 3 weeks. The air was black with clouds of them, incredible !
Fortunately, when the water in the streams gets up to 16 C or so, the little beasts fade away.
Avon "Skin So Soft" moisturiser is excellent as a bug repellant. It has to be the one in the tub though, not the spray on and it's the original woodland scented one you want.
Having said that, they now have a new product called "Bug Guard"
http://itsamallworld.com/Avon4u/images/sssBugGuard.jpg
tenbears10
16-02-2004, 00:03
I konw that DEET is nasty stuff on your skin but unfortunatly it works well. I used to sell it in an outdoor shop and our best advice was buy 100% DEET but only put it on clothing eg. your hat and it will keep determined mozzies away. However the fact that it will take varnish off wood is a bit concerning.
If you use it carefully then you can prevent the side effects.
Other than that a good fire or mozzie coils or my favorite, cigar smoke all keep them at bay to an extent. Scottish miges are some of the worst but I spent summer half term in Scotland every year on a headland looking out to Mull without too much discomfort just watch where you set up camp.
Bill
I seem to attract every biting insect insect within miles :-( so I bought a new product to try at the exhibition last weekend. According to the blurb Pete and Paddy of Quantock, Wilderness Survival Equipment (?) said " the most efficient product we've found over the years, even against the Scottish midge."
I will be trying it against the Welsh midge myself this summer and taking it to Oz at Easter so I should get a fairly good idea of whether or not it's any good.
It's called PreVent and it is 100% natural, made from African chrysanthemums. Info available at www.agropharm.co.uk
I will be trying it against the Welsh midge myself this summer and taking it to Oz at Easter so I should get a fairly good idea of whether or not it's any good.
The Welsh midge is positively fun when compared to the Scottish midge! :rant:
It's called PreVent and it is 100% natural, made from African chrysanthemums. Info available at www.agropharm.co.uk
By the sound of it, it could attract insects!!! :shock:
Let us know if it works!
Nothing works against a determined scots midge! Take it from me - I've surveyed many woodlands on the west coast of scotland and have tried every repellant conceivable - nothing works for very long. A head net is your best bet, but then you get hot and sweaty and your view is restricted. If there is one creature that can turn a reasonably sane man into a screaming lunatic - it's the MIDGE!!!!
On this side of the Pond, and especially in our northern States and in Canada, late Spring and early Summer is the season of the dreaded "Black Fly," a name given to several species, of which Simulium venustum and S. jenningsi seem to be the worst biters. "Fruit Fly" sized beasts, they need cool, flowing water to breed, and only the females bite. :roll: In addition to carrying various nasty diseases, their bites leave open sores that itch for weeks. They land on you, then scurry about in a characteristic, busy way, looking for openings in your clothing so they can satisy their blood lust. :yikes: In bad "Black Fly" areas, outdoor activites await warmer weather, when they stop breeding and die out for the season. Some Black Flies are heard to hum something suspiciously like Cock O' the North when attacking.
I must admit, the Black Fly does seem pretty nasty - good job it's not over here! Imagine what would happen to the tourist industry if outdoor activities had to be abandoned!
Interesting how differant types work for differant people
I've used the the lemon eucalyptus oil combo and the jungle fever lotion against the scottish monsters and both worked well, I was also taught the fire embers routine by the same person ( i think - certainly the same school) and that worked a treat, but Pauls right, i looked a right prat! :roll:
I will not use deet after it scarred the face and stripped the markings off a sunto compass :shock:
You got to love the blighters though and thank our cotton socks that we don't have them black flies. :-D
Maxmountains
Or mozzies with malaria! :shock:
You got to love the blighters though and thank our cotton socks that we don't have them black flies. :-D
Maxmountains
spot on Adi - or Dengue, tetse, and all the other big nasties, although i think i heard that malaria had been reported over the last summers in south east England or was it just a ploy to get the property prices down :twisted:
Maxmountains
Burnt Ash
25-02-2004, 14:29
Wife and I were on safari in Botswana in 1984. Flew out to Chief's Island in the Okavango delta from Maun for a couple of days. Had to travel very light in the small aircraft and left mozzie net behind by mistake. In that heat, we found that DEET roll-on repellant (Tabard) lasted about 20 mins before the effective agent had evaporated away and insects were actually landing on and chomping us. We spent two very miserable nights: choice of either cooking in our (down) sleeping bags, or staying awake and applying repellant every 20 mins.
Last year, I was sent some herbal stuff called 'Crocodile' to try (candles and lotion). It seemed reasonably effective against junior grade skeeters, but haven't yet tested it against black belts. It smells quite nice and is much more pleasant to use than DEET based products.
www.DEETfree.com
Burnt Ash
:rolmao: :o):
It seemed reasonably effective against junior grade skeeters, but haven't yet tested it against black belts.
qweeg500
28-02-2004, 21:33
I've never really suffered much from bites myself, but then I haven't been exposed to the highlands of Scotland. I've heard a few people recommend Nordic Summer although I've no idea if it's available in the UK.
One thing I can tell you - If your not the wearer it stinks to high heaven.
Matt
Yep ... www.raymears.com stocks it:
http://www.raymears.com/shop_item_desc.cfm?id=284&item Type=Accessories
Anyone tried it????
Whilst working in Southern Africa during the 80's - Swaziland and South Africa (in a variety of habitats) I we used Autan - do not know if it's available anymore. Here all the locals/farmers/crofters/ghillies use Skin So Soft. The local Avon rep does a great job!
Seems to keep our midges at bay!
JeremyH
stuart f
03-03-2004, 19:40
Hi Jeremy H i,ll be over to islay next week at Bruichladdie hall.I think we,ve met before at the Lochindaal Port charlotte. CHEERS
STUART F.
A bit late to this thread I know....
I was in Canada last year, mid June -mid July, canoeing and camping in the beautiful wilds of Ontario. My wife and I (sounds like the Life of Brian) tried EVERY and I mean every, type of insect repellant available out there, from 100% DEET to all natural, citronella, Skin So Soft and so on. Nothing was effective!! :yikes: Admittedly the mossies and Black Fly (curse their existence) were pretty fierce, but hey, we're top of the food chain and all that.
Since then I have been researching alternatives by trawling through old books and I'm going to be experimenting with a new (or forgotten is more accurate) combination of oils this spring/summer. I will let anyone who's interested how I get on.....
That's what I thought ... next time I think I've going to use placebos with a dash of snake oil.
My wife and I (sounds like the Life of Brian) tried EVERY and I mean every, type of insect repellant available out there, from 100% DEET to all natural, citronella, Skin So Soft and so on. Nothing was effective!! :yikes:
The thing that worked for black fly was clothing. Those in our group wearing long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, scarfs, and hats, had MANY fewer bites than the shorts-and-t-shirt crowd. The little %^T#@@ do try to find a way to crawl inside your shirt, however.
Yep... cover up. I spent a few monssons in asia and there was nothing I found that repelled 'all' bugs... some repellents worked better on some species than other.
Covering up is the best preventative.... mosi head net and even gloves in the worst of it.... just sit and wait them out.
:-)
Ed
Talking about Nordic Summer insect repellent
Yep ... www.raymears.com stocks it:
http://www.raymears.com/shop_item_desc.cfm?id=284&item Type=Accessories
Anyone tried it????
Adi - Ben McNutt recommended this stuff during a discussion about kit following his talk the other week. He commented that while there are effective repellents against mozzies, this is the only one he could recommend to work against MIDGES. I've just bought a tin from woodlore on the basis of that recommendation.
It's a small tin - 2 inch diameter.
Contents are dark brown, translucent and very volatile. Not as strong but it clears your nose like vick or eucalyptus oil when you sniff it. The smell is exactly that of ashes in an old campfire, or of one of those barbecue sauces that instantly makes you think "carcinogenic" !
I assume it's a refined commercial version of exacty the campfire ash repellent described back at the beginning of this thread. I'll let you know how well it works next year !
Cheers
nordic summer works well for me, smells pukka too if you like smelling like an old fire dog which most here do :o): ,infact i love that smell, cheers al
R-Bowskill
11-12-2004, 15:24
There is a great herbal insect repellant but at the moment it's illegal, I don't know if it's the pungent smell or whether it gives them a high without the munchies but the smoke of a well known plant even works with Scottish midges.
(note I'm not advocating anyone breaks the law but any Dutch readers might be able to develop this idea)
what plant is it m8 as i live in scotland and everything ive tried dosent work on the little B*****ds :-p
Prickly Pear
10-04-2006, 22:15
Just found this non DEET alternative, developed and produced in Scotland, against the mighty midge and mosquito :eek: .
Neemco Natural Insect Repellent
The FAQ spiel (http://www.neemco.co.uk/faq/repellent)
Funnily enough, because they charge an extra £1.50 for postage, you can get the 50ml bottle cheaper at TrekDirect for 4.99 inc P&P. :rolleyes:
Trek Direct (http://www.trekdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Travel_Essent ials_27.html)
I contacted them about product lifespan, and they told me that it has a use by date of 1 year+. Which is the same when openned.
Anybody used this stuff?
Celt_Ginger
10-04-2006, 23:03
There seems to some confliction advice on which of the "Skin so Soft" products work best. I have been told that it's the Dry Oil that gives the best insect protection, yet an earlier post here says if the Tub of moisturiser. Other posts on BCUK also recomend the dry Oil. Can anyone give a catagoric answer?
in order to be free of a cloud of midges - stand in the middle of a fire.
Prickly Pear
11-04-2006, 16:10
what about being a fire eater vapour specialist, bit more portable then...
If you have a strong stomach take a politician, most everything finds them repellant.
I've had the best results using 100% deet on clothing. I've tried Avon and am not convinced it works. Vitamin B is the vitamin I've heard they don't like - so eat stacks of marmite.
http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/skeeters.asp
gregorach
11-04-2006, 17:37
There is a great herbal insect repellant but at the moment it's illegal, I don't know if it's the pungent smell or whether it gives them a high without the munchies but the smoke of a well known plant even works with Scottish midges.
(note I'm not advocating anyone breaks the law but any Dutch readers might be able to develop this idea)
Really? I've never noticed that before... I guess I need to do more field research. ;) :)
Personally, I swear by bog myrtle, smoke (fire or tobacco) and wrapping up. Just don't offer the little buggers any exposed flesh. I just need to figure out a decent means of smoking and drinking tea through 2 layers of shemagh. ;)
Seriously though, bog myrtle is pretty good. You can buy products made from it now, but I haven't tried any - I just use the plant. It's a very common plant in the more midge-infested kind of terrain, it's easy to recognise once you get to know it, and it's free! It's also the most "bushcrafty" solution I know of.
As for DEET, it works for mozzies, but not so well for midges (in my experience anyway). Plus it's foul - you might as well drench yourself in petrol. Hate the stuff...
I had heard about not eating bananas before heading outdoors. Seems that mozzies love bananas. I'm going to try the Avon "Skin so soft" this year if I can get it local...
A quick google and this interesting page came up:
http://www.mercola.com/2003/jun/7/mosquito_bites.htm
In the news a while back here, they mentioned that our Robins are suppose to be good carriers of the Westnile virus. The skitters then dine on them and pass it onto us outdoorsy types :eek:
This may sound strange but my mother and sister swears by garlic pearls, they take them as a suppliment and if taken regularly it acts as a repellent, I thaught this to be an old wives tale until one day last summer up on the beacons a cloud of midges came in and gave me a real bad time, but my sister was untouched, they recon you must take them a month or two befor they work, so I'm trying it and if it fails at least its good for the circulation.
Ian
benjamin.oneill
12-04-2006, 23:20
How about trying one of these little hobo-stoves and addig a bit of citronella?
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=3814
I made one in the tin left over from some vaselin (the little 99p tins for chapped lips you can buy in boots etc) and it burnt well and is no bigger than a matchbox (but round :D ). I'm sure if you added some smellies that would work very well too, perfect yellow flame, warm and light!
Ben
I was told once too that splashing a bit of whisky over you does the trick... I think i'd go for the the distracting effects of the rest of the bottle, once you've tipped the first dram over your head!
Problem with that is, you cant give yourself high vitC levels, as soon as you have enough, you just pee out the surplus. You can have a deficiency, or just enough, but not too much.
Sorry. Have to comment here - if you take too much vit C you get the squits. Its vit B that gets pee'd out. Everyone has a different daily max for Vit C (generally 5 - 10 g/day). Just keep upping the dose 'til you get the runs & thats your normal daily max but it will go up when you're ill.
God, I'm such a nerd!! :banghead:
Back on topic - I've also been told to take brewers yeast, but you have to take it for a few weeks before exposure and you have to take about 6 tablets a day.
Best thing is to take me with you - everything that bites will be too busy feasting on me. I think my record is 40 bites in one day, each one 2" diameter - fun
I have a question, more a plea for advice. I’m looking for some insect repellent. I prefer something DEET free because of the current research claiming it is bad for the environment. In the middle of next month I’ll be spending a few days in the woods and some (I hope) open meadows of sunny Devon. I’m not normally insect food, and in the past I am rarely bitten; I just want something to take with me, just in case the flies and midges take a shine to me.
So,
What do you / have you used?
Would you recommend it, if not why not?
Is their any plants/ plant juice oils etc...? that can be used in case of bug attack to ward of the blighters in place of chemicals and the like.
Do they work?
What do you have to do to make them work?
Am I being a biggirlsblouse™ ? Should I welcome the bugs, midges biteythings with welcome veins, is that the manly thing to do?
Is walking about with a netbag on your head as embarrassing as admitting you used to have a mullet, or should it be considered over and above the chemicals
It's odd that some repellents work on some people and don't work with others.
I think you have to start thinking like a midge!
They hone in on heat and carbon dioxide, as well as scents I'm not aware off (In your breath and from your skin - this is probably where the garlic pearls comes in, it alters or masks some of the scent from your skin)
I've read that they can track you via your carbon dioxide levels (I'll have to dig out where I read this)
Certain colours also attract them (black springs to mind)
You might want to try just plain old ordinary candles in your camp, which might distract some of them (higher heat levels, lots of CO2 - and they pop when they hit it :) )
Most of the non-DEET products tend to need reapplying more often, like every 30 mins - you just have to get into the habit of doing it (unlike me who keeps forgetting)
Now in the book 'British Native Trees' by Piers Warren, he mentions that oil from Birch trees is a good insect repellent, so I suggest you always have a few birch logs to add to your fire
(I'm not sure how you collect the oil from a tree anyway)
An interesting view on midges - (reaffirms what I thought)
Info on midges (http://www.albawest.com/midges.html)
Anyway these are just thoughts
you might as well drench yourself in petrol...
combine smoke and fire by drenching yourself in petrol and then apply a spark from yer favuorite fire lighting kit. this is sure to keep the midges off, plus the sensation of being burned alive will be a light relief from the biting wee b******s.
Now in the book 'British Native Trees' by Piers Warren, he mentions that oil from Birch trees is a good insect repellent, so I suggest you always have a few birch logs to add to your fire
(I'm not sure how you collect the oil from a tree anyway)
Anyway these are just thoughts
Collect quantities of the leaves, twigs, and inner epidermis of the birch bark, shred, add water, boil for several hours, collecting the steam, and distil by evaporating and collecting the volatiles. Strain the bark and leaves out and distil the remaining juice.
not really easy in the field
C_Claycomb
20-06-2006, 16:10
Wilderness 1-2-1 do Neem tree extract. I used it in Scotland last June, and it worked on the midges, but did need re-applying, but only every few hours. Wilkinsons do Bayerprene which is good. I have some PreVent which is pyrethrum from African Chrysanthemums, still to try that.
Permethrin clothing treatments are very good.
Elder leaves are supposed to work, crushed I would guess, so said someone on here.
Bonzo Frog
23-06-2006, 16:58
I contacted Avon to ask about their Skin So Soft products, this is the reply I had.
"Thank you for your recent email.
We have had reports, from Avon Representatives and their customers, that Avon’s Skin So Soft, Woodland Fresh (now Soft and Fresh) Bath Oil and Body Oil Spray has been seen to act as an effective insect repellent. Our quality department have advised me that it is the aroma of these products which may have this effect. Citronellol is included in the perfume used in these products and is listed in the ingredients panel on their packaging.
Skin So Soft Woodland Fresh is now called Skin So Soft, Soft and Fresh. The packaging has been re-designed and the formula has been adjusted for improved softness and moisturisation. The same fragrance has been used at a reduced level. However these products are marketed and sold by Avon as bath preparations only. We do not recommend any Skin So Soft products for any other use.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us."
When I emailed them I asked about "Bug Guard" but it isn't mentioned in the reply.
Hope this helps.
Bonzo
Nigel Harper
15-07-2006, 15:29
we had midges really bad last time i was out last week. we used jungle formula spray which is 50% deet. it worked a bit but it was hot and we were sweaty and it didnt last long probably cos of the sweat. this thread is great lots of ideas ill be trying them next time. i hadnt hear about the charcole from fire logs ive got to try that! i heard that your pee might help too but i dont want to try that thats not my bag baby.
Boil up a good handful of bog myrtle leaves, mugwort leaves/flowers and lemonbalm leaves. Cover pot and leave to cool; strain. Wipe the liquid on with a soft cloth or make wipes using bounty kitchen towels. Soak your shemagh in the liquid and allow to dry, repeat as necessary, but the scent helps to deter the midge.
Cheers,
Toddy
bring your missus along....and upon seeing the swarm coming....boot her directly into thier horrid biting path....then leggit in the opposite direction...i bet it might just work.....missus wont be pleased tho
Abbe Osram
15-07-2006, 20:46
I got a job now being in the forest for 10 hours each day, up here in the north we have millions of mossies, all kinds off. The old guys I am working with swear that the old djungle oil mixed with becks oil was the best repellent.
the new djungle oil is not so strong anymore because of EU regulations.
Becks oil is the stuff you get out of birch bark, this tar-oil is mixed with the dungle oil 2 parts dungle oil and 1 part becks oil.
I just bought this very old cabin and guess what I found.... a bottle old dungle oil, still the glass bottle. I quickly bought a bottle of becks oil here and off I go to get the best insect repellent. I guess the old times here will get notaligic fits when they smell my new stuff.
cheers
Abbe
Abbe, it is possible to buy birch essential oil, but there are always warning labels attached about potential skin irritation. Maybe that's why the Beck's oil isn't as *strong* as it was. You couild find a Swedish aromatherapy essential oil supplier and ask, I suppose.
Actually there's a wonderful Finnish site that sells organic essential oils....I had to get my son to translate for me and I never did get around to ordering from them. I'll see if I can find the link.
Let us know how you get on with the Beck's oil, will you? It'd be good to have another weapon in the war on the biting plague .
Cheers,
Toddy
Abbe Osram
15-07-2006, 21:36
Abbe, it is possible to buy birch essential oil, but there are always warning labels attached about potential skin irritation. Maybe that's why the Beck's oil isn't as *strong* as it was. You couild find a Swedish aromatherapy essential oil supplier and ask, I suppose.
Actually there's a wonderful Finnish site that sells organic essential oils....I had to get my son to translate for me and I never did get around to ordering from them. I'll see if I can find the link.
Let us know how you get on with the Beck's oil, will you? It'd be good to have another weapon in the war on the biting plague .
Cheers,
Toddy
its not the Becks oil, there is no problem getting it here. What the problem is is to get the old "djungle oil" (swedish name is: "Djungel Olja") which was so strong somehow that the EU was putting regulations on it. I have to try it now as I found a old bottle. All the old people I am talking to are talking about this particular mix of takeing the old djungle oil and mix it with becks oil.
I believe that the becks oil makes it stick to your skin and helps to keep it there even when you sweat. That could be a trick too for Nickel Harper next time around that he mix his repellent with some Becks oil.
I will tell you guys if it is really as good as the old people are bragging about! ;)
cheers
Abbe
:o ooops, sorry Abbe, ought to have read a little slower.
Okay then, can you see if you can find a list of ingredients in the djungle oil? The Jungle Formula stuff here was mostly citronella, which I don't like.
Cheers,
Toddy
Abbe Osram
15-07-2006, 21:57
:o ooops, sorry Abbe, ought to have read a little slower.
Okay then, can you see if you can find a list of ingredients in the djungle oil? The Jungle Formula stuff here was mostly citronella, which I don't like.
Cheers,
Toddy
Ok, tomorror I go out to my cabin and see if I can read something on that bottle.
It must have to do with the DEET which was incredible high in that old stuff.
If I find something, I come back to you about it.
cheers
Abbe
Having been eaten alive last summer in Sardinia, I'm keen to try something other than the ineffective (and apparently highly toxic) DEET I used last year. Searching on here I've found mention of Avon's Skin So Soft, but there seems to be some confusion about which of that range is the one to use, and possibly even whether it's as effective as it once was:-
I think I saw the dry body oil recommended somewhere, it was a spray on. I also thought there was a version of the lotion with some insect repellent stuff built in but after having a quick look I couldn't find it either.
The skin-so-soft spray
It has to be the one in the tub though, not the spray on and it's the original woodland scented one you want. Having said that, they now have a new product called "Bug Guard"
There seems to some confliction advice on which of the "Skin so Soft" products work best. I have been told that it's the Dry Oil that gives the best insect protection, yet an earlier post here says if the Tub of moisturiser. Other posts on BCUK also recomend the dry Oil. Can anyone give a catagoric answer?
I contacted Avon to ask about their Skin So Soft products, this is the reply I had.
"Thank you for your recent email.
We have had reports, from Avon Representatives and their customers, that Avon’s Skin So Soft, Woodland Fresh (now Soft and Fresh) Bath Oil and Body Oil Spray has been seen to act as an effective insect repellent. Our quality department have advised me that it is the aroma of these products which may have this effect. Citronellol is included in the perfume used in these products and is listed in the ingredients panel on their packaging.
Skin So Soft Woodland Fresh is now called Skin So Soft, Soft and Fresh. The packaging has been re-designed and the formula has been adjusted for improved softness and moisturisation. The same fragrance has been used at a reduced level. However these products are marketed and sold by Avon as bath preparations only. We do not recommend any Skin So Soft products for any other use.
Can anyone offer some advice?
http://www.autan.co.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1
works for me, in scotland and kielder
Ray Britton
02-09-2010, 00:30
Hi all.
It may be worth looking at this from both sides...pre bite and after bite.
With all biting insects, it is better to eat local foods, as the insects already know the smell of these (coming from your pores) are are not excited by them. Go to France, and neck down a very hot curry, and you will become an insect light house!
Feeling excited, or having sexual thoughts also attracts insects, as you become very smelly to insects in a pheromone kind of way.
So, assuming you can stop thinking about sex, it can still be hard to not be excited, particularly if you have just seen a beautiful view.
Some posters have said they are not bitten by biting insects, and this is very often due to taking medication on a constant basis, as this tastes revolting to biting insects. The average midge may as well see one of those 'poisonous' signs on a person on strong steroids for example.
So, assuming you are fairly healthy and have usual thought patterns, what is your best choice of insect repellent? I would shy away from DEET as it is a bit nasty, and also consider all commercial insect repellents to be a waste of time too (inc all the ones mentioned so far).
'Swedish aromatherapy oil' was mentioned earlier in the thread. Well there is no such thing as 'Swedish' oils, but there are some very useful aromatherapy oils indeed. If you take yourself off to your local aromatherapist, they will be able to knock you up a blend which is perfect for you (based on many factors). I would suggest that you will need four oils in a mix for this, with the price being roughly £20-25 for the cost of the oils. This will give you roughly one hundred applications, and will of course be safe to use (but don't go rubbing it in your eyes to test it lol). As for the mention of a flower oil below, it is odd, but this type of scent is often what you need. Two common oils that should be suggested to you could be: Lavender and eucalyptus oil. The other two will depend on you.
If you do take this route, buy the oils separately and then mix them (to the quantities/proportions advised), rather than buying one of the ready made ones, as these are diluted with 'carrier' oils and are not as effective.
If you are a doubter as to whether these oils work, think about two things:
DEET is only an aroma the same as oils.
Some oils are so powerful that they can kill an unborn child, purely by the mother breathing them in (which is also why i suggest seeking a proper aromatherapist to get the mix (not that any such abortive oils will be in the insect mix)).
DEET also does not last long, whereas oils come in 'top' 'middle' and 'bottom' scents depending on how long they last, so a good mix will keep acting effectively for a long period (some oils like frankincense last for a very long time, with an example being of a sample of frankincense that was taken from Tutankhamuns tomb that still smelled!!)
Having long trousers, and long sleeved tops are also a good idea, but is you are wearing shorts or a short sleeved top, then simply make/buy a cloth wrist/ankle band, and soak that with your repellent. A lot of folks will only use two bands, and will place them on opposite ankle and wrist to give a kind of shield on each side.