Is there, a better spray for keeping mosquitoes and black flies off me?

https://aax-us-east.amazon-adsystem.com/x/c/Qi3aOHHaJy-Q0q7BEdXis18AAAFrbYOD3QEAAAH2AdURAlA/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015KG5NK?aaxitk=EPURyDojjr10Fb80cMQjDA&pd_rd_i=B0015KG5NK&pf_rd_p=3fade48a-e699-4c96-bf08-bb772ac0e242&hsa_cr_id=6167506620401&sb-ci-n=asinImage&sb-ci-v=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-na.ssl-images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F81Ux1PDMDUL.jpg&sb-ci-a=B0015KG5NK

 

 

This is what I have been using for a few years now and it works well for my night fishing excursions.  I do find  have to reapply it but it doesn't contain deet which is nasty stuff really

https://www.duluthtrading.com/sierra-sage-bugs-be-gone-18803.html#q=bug%2Brepelent&lang=default&start=1

 

My wife likes the way it's smells and it works. 

 

 

This also works but don't spray it on your skin.

 

https://www.duluthtrading.com/sawyers-premium-insect-repellent-86021.html#q=bug%2Brepelent&lang=default&start=2

 

Repel 100

 

Now it works, don't get me wrong, but it is 98% deet. There is nothing on the market that beats deet - but the chance you need 98% deet is pretty out there.

 

If you leave it on your hands - expect it to melt plastic, reel handles, etc.

 

I just use Off Smooth & Dry (my god, DO NOT breathe this in) and thermacell as I am not in the deep woods.

I use the Coleman sportsmen insect repellent.  Comes in a metal spray can.  Kinda expensive and only 40% deet but, it does work.  That’s is always in my tackle bag along with some sort of water resistant sun screen.  At the moment I have the big squeeze bottle of   banna boat sport performance spf 30 sun screen.  

I use  Deep Woods with 40% Deet, I also carry this in my work truck just in case I have to check some utility poles in tall grass and weeds.

Best stuff we've ever used

 

 Bite Blocker extreme

In the glades we used 100% deet but keep it off of tackle - I used latex glove to spread it - bass hate even a tiny whiff of the stuff

10 hours ago, flyfisher said:

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This is what I have been using for a few years now and it works well for my night fishing excursions.  I do find  have to reapply it but it doesn't contain deet which is nasty stuff really

I have been using this stuff for a few years and I will never go back to deet.   

I don't allow any bug spray in my boat.  Period.  And for sunscreen, it has to be cream not spray.  Both of those products will ruin sonar screens and I have seen them even etch fiberglass.  I have used my Thermacell in the boat but since it has a heat source, I am very careful with that as well.  It can be hung from a belt.  

45 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

I don't allow any bug spray in my boat.  Period.  And for sunscreen, it has to be cream not spray.  Both of those products will ruin sonar screens and I have seen them even etch fiberglass.  I have used my Thermacell in the boat but since it has a heat source, I am very careful with that as well.  It can be hung from a belt.  

Soooo...if you don't use bug spray and only use your Thermacell sparingly what do you do to keep the bugs away...just yell at them "go away" .

4 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Soooo...if you don't use bug spray and only use your Thermacell sparingly what do you do to keep the bugs away...just yell at them "go away" .

I swat a lot.  But seriously, I have found that if I light up a cigar, the bugs disperse post haste.  It's a win-win for me.  

Thank you, for all of your replies.

Proven is a non toxic and deet free, odorless insect repellent.

Tom

OFF makes some without deet, I think it is picaradin or something like that. It is supposed to be odorless and doesn’t damage your tackle like deet does. Iaconelli was advertising for it recently on Facebook so I looked for it at Walmart and found it. I have not bought it or tried it yet Just relaying what I read. 

What I've been using for over twenty years is Calendula Essential Oil. Don't need to 'slather' it on...couple drops at the wrists, ankles and behind the ears and I don't even get 'bugged' by horseflies.

Try Skin So Soft by Avon. No chemicals, keeps the bugs off and it’s good for your skin

36 minutes ago, looking45 said:

Try Skin So Soft by Avon. No chemicals, keeps the bugs off and it’s good for your skin

Good mosquito repellent not so good for black flies, been there done that when going to Canada annually.

Take lots of vitamin B12 the bugs and your freinds will stay away!

My daughter is a bird vet and gave me Proven to try, it works when we travel, very few bugs where I live.

Tom

22 hours ago, FishTank said:

his also works but don't spray it on your skin.

 

So where do you put it? Not on the skin?  I don't get it.

Cautions on DEET are valid, it dissolves just about anything.  There has to be a better way.

Nothing repels deer flies. I even tried 100% deet. All it did was cause a slight burning sensation and attract those things. They are a curse upon man kind and they will take a bite right out of your face. Sometimes they are so intolerable I have to leave, even when the fishing is good in the river.

1 hour ago, MickD said:

So where do you put it? Not on the skin?  I don't get it.

Cautions on DEET are valid, it dissolves just about anything.  There has to be a better way.

It's for your clothes.  You hang up a shirt, jacket, backpack, pants, etc. and spray it, let dry.  It lasts for about 5 or 6 washes (unless you use bleach).  Its sort of like the expensive Bugs-A-Way clothes.  It works great by itself as a repellent. 

Nothing works better than deet. 

I spray it before I get on the boat, wash my hands, and enjoy being bug free. 

Thanks, for this great information. I never knew any of this.

I use Repel Max or Off deep woods. Recently I’ve been trying bull frog and I like it, has 50 spf in it too.

For spraying clothes, I go with permethrin.  But when the bugs are really attacking , I don't think treating the clothes with anything is going to stop them.  You have to apply to the skin, and I'm not going with DEET.  Exc possibly with a very dilute mix of DEET.