What’s good for a bloke who likes to go on long walks in the piny woods…and who always seems to attract every doggone gnat, nose-fly, and skeeter from miles around?
(Not exhaling carbon dioxide might work, but I’m too set in my ways to give that up. And, yeah, I do take a shower once in a while…)
Mainly, though, I want something that is eco-friendly. Safe to use. Green. Bonus points if it actually works…
That plus long sleeves, trousers, and socks are really the only things that work if you want to avoid using deet (which I recommend for at least occasional usage). There is no evidence that popular treatments like Avon’s Skin-So-Soft, citronella, or massive doses of B vitamins make any difference.
[RIGHT]- - brought to you from Indonesia, where we have dengue and malaria to worry about :([/RIGHT]
My ever lovin’ mum made me one of these that rolls down and covers your entire body when you need it to. Doesn’t hinder your walking at all; and it’s the best protection against NT flies and mozzies I’ve ever found.
Have someone make you one, Trinopus!
Hey, look what I just found on line: http://shop.vtarmynavy.com/complete-mosquito-netting-clothing-set-p7703.aspx?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=googlebase
I want one of those. I’d like to wear it and stand still in our back yard, breathing heavily, hoping to torture the mozzies as much as they torture me …
May I point out that where the net touches the body the nasty little buggers can still sink a proboscis into ones skin?
Sure, aruvqan - and when it’s shroud-like, dropping from your wide-brimmed hat, you’re pretty much walking inside it.
The only part of you touching the net are your ankles - socked and booted.
What CairoCarol has found would be less efficient, I would think; apart from the bother of having to actually dress in it - rather than just dropping it to, or past, shoulder length.
Dont know about you, but back before I used crutches my arms swung, and I moved my torso for balance when walking on broken ground, so I would pretty much always be coming in contact with the net somewhere, unless I were sitting stock still reading. I have no idea what it is about my body chemistry that says welcome to the buffet to bugs but I am a mosquito magnet =(
If you’re walking you’re moving and it’s going to be more difficult for the skeeters to land on you anyway.
I’ve had good results with Repel Lemon Eucalyptus repellent.
Ex-Officio Buzz-off clothing. Hat, shirt, pants, and you’re good. Socks in some areas.
I use N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide. I am unaware of any significant documented environmental problems with its use. Slight toxicity to some organisms, but it’s not like anyone is spraying forests with it.
I gotta admit, a net-hat makes a lot of sense. I’ll look for one that can be squished into a small volume, to keep in a spare pocket. (Hikers always have spare pockets!)
Thank’ee!
This Cactus Juice is supposed to work pretty good and is eco safe.
The biggest drawback I see with the head and body nets is getting it snagged if you’re bushwacking through thicker brush. Probably not an issue if the woods you hike in are fairly open.