# Environmentally Friendly Insect Repellent? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 16, 2011, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095 "2011-11-16T05:45:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/1 "2011-11-16T05:45:45Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/2 "2011-11-16T09:53:11Z")
[You need one of these.](http://www.google.com/search?q=mobile+mosquito+net&hl=en&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images#q=mosquito+net+hat&hl=en&lr=&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=kYbDTq3DB8SW2AXi87XGDg&ved=0CCQQrQQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=15c021a1e7fc6c32&biw=1386&bih=808) 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] ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/3 "2011-11-16T10:16:58Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > [You need one of these.](http://www.google.com/search?q=mobile+mosquito+net&hl=en&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images#q=mosquito+net+hat&hl=en&lr=&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=kYbDTq3DB8SW2AXi87XGDg&ved=0CCQQrQQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=15c021a1e7fc6c32&biw=1386&bih=808) 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**! ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/4 "2011-11-16T11:07:07Z")
> [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](#): > > covers your entire body when you need it to. 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](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 … ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/5 "2011-11-16T11:21:34Z")
May I point out that where the net touches the body the nasty little buggers can still sink a proboscis into ones skin? ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/6 "2011-11-16T12:41:21Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/7 "2011-11-16T17:55:28Z")
> [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](#): > > 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 =( ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/8 "2011-11-16T18:06:45Z")
If you’re walking you’re moving and it’s going to be more difficult for the skeeters to land on you anyway. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/9 "2011-11-16T18:19:22Z")
I’ve had good results with Repel Lemon Eucalyptus repellent. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/10 "2011-11-16T18:43:47Z")
Ex-Officio Buzz-off clothing. Hat, shirt, pants, and you’re good. Socks in some areas. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/11 "2011-11-16T19:45:57Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/12 "2011-11-16T22:08:38Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/13 "2011-11-16T22:39:14Z")
This [Cactus Juice](http://www.amazon.com/Cactus-Juice-Eco-Safe-Spray-oz/dp/B000FXWOJM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1321483068&sr=8-3) is supposed to work pretty good and is eco safe. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmentally-friendly-insect-repellent/603095/14 "2011-11-16T22:40:09Z")
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.