Bug Spray or Not???

[bike>>rider]

Do you wear bug spray/mosquito repellant while riding in the woods? Always? Sometimes? Never?

I haven't, but am leaning towards starting. I know that the odds of ever being bitten by a mosquito with west nile are extremely low, and that even if I were, that as a healthy 30-something person I'd probably have nothing to worry about. But then again, people do die from this stuff and maybe better safe than sorry.

Thoughts? What do you all do?

[BKocka]

i never do.

[gopherhockey]

In past years it has almost been a requirement when biking out at Leb.... that or you just can't stop during your ride.

This year its been real dry and there hasn't been as many bugs to worry about.. so I really haven't used any. Even during trailwork I have been able to avoid it, which has never happened in years past.

I usually use a lotion rather than a spray so that I don't overdose and/or ruin my bike clothes. They sell bottles small enough to fit in a pocket for use later if the needed. If I question it at all, I'll throw a bottle in my pack. Ultrathon has been the spray of choice by trailworkers recently.

http://media.basspro.com/images/articles/ultrathonlotion.jpg

I think if you are biking in an area that has em' its a good idea to protect yourself... if for no other reason than what it might be like to try change a tire etc.

[stoneage]

It's just a good idea. I forget as I race out of the house, but the disease is in the area, as a 70 year old woman in S Minneapolis died last week. I know of a younger person (30) that just got infected 2 weeks ago at the Bottoms. It's not pleasant whatever age you are, and you can die from it an any age. If it gets as hot as they are saying this weekend, there might not be many mosquitoes around, thankfully.

[nigel]

I have not used bug spray at all in about the last 12 years. It just bothers me, i get more itchy from the spray than from the bites! Might be allergy to something in it but who knows.

I do notice em hanging around me when im at trailwork, but they dont bother me much, but never when im riding that much. Only thing thats ever pissed me off bug related have been horseflies which i swear you can never outrun and they hurt like a bitch when you got a swarm all over ya. I cant imagine wiping a sweaty face off with a bug spray covered arm, thats gotta not feel good.

As far as west nile and the such go, i just risk it i guess. Never really gave it a thought. Perhaps I should, but then again thats just one more thing to worry about :crazy: I think i'll keep without the spray, worked thus far. I know that bugs are attracted to new scents too so say your up camping first thing ya do is jump in the lake (to ride your body of city and chemical smells) and wash your clothes in the lake (sans soap of course) and youll find the bugs leave you alone and go for the people that dont smell like the area.

D

[Nickel]

I use Naturapel and smell like a citronella candle

[bigwheel]

I generally avoid Deet whenever possible. That stuff is nasty.

We used to load on the stuff on during BWCA canoe trips, but my wife became really allergic to it and breaks out all over, even if she only uses a little bit. I used that as an omen, telling me to avoid it unless it is extreme circumstances (i.e. trail work after a rain).

She now uses the Off Botanical, and says it works reasonably well, but not as good as Deet.

I haven't had many problems with mosquitos while biking. As long as you keep moving, they aren't that bad.

[berrywise]

I have an electric bug zapper that I have mounted to a rear rack. It runs off one of my night light batteries. The only negative is the noise...well and the extra 30 pounds it adds to my bike.

[TrailSquirell]

I use it at night if i'm ridein deep deep in the woods. Otherwise its normaly to hot or to cold for the skeeters to be out.

[MisterClaw]

Do you wear bug spray/mosquito repellant while riding in the woods? Always? Sometimes? Never?

I haven't, but am leaning towards starting. I know that the odds of ever being bitten by a mosquito with west nile are extremely low, and that even if I were, that as a healthy 30-something person I'd probably have nothing to worry about. But then again, people do die from this stuff and maybe better safe than sorry.

Thoughts? What do you all do?

I use a repellent based on oil of lemon eucalyptus. According to a few studies it doesn't last as long as DEET, but it worked well for me when doing trail work down at the river bottoms earlier this year.
If I remember correctly, DEET will melt the elastic in lyrca, but I've never tried to prove that.
Mosquitos aren't the only thing to worry about. Deer ticks also are vectors of that nasty Lyme Disease, and just a quick walk[crash] through the brush can pick up the little buggers.

[TrailSquirell]

besides the ticks, horse flys!! dam them!

[TrailPatrol]

I use Naturapel and smell like a citronella candle

I've been using Naturapel Ultra for years. (They are a Backcountry Trail Patrol sponsor.) I also take Garlique for cardiovascular health, and garlic is supposed to keep bugs (and vampires) at bay. I suppose I smell like a citronella pizza.

I started using citronella in Russia in 1997, where the latitude and the mosquito population are similar to central Alaska. (Very bad!) It works well on some people and not as well on others...same thing with eucalyptus, depending on your body chemistry.

I carry a spray bottle of Cutters 23% DEET in the truck, but I usually just spray it on my ball cap when I am not on the bike. Bugs have to be really bad for me to spray DEET on my skin.

Ride aromatic.
:banana:
Hans

[gordanfreeman]

after years of 95% DEET bug spray at scout camp, i have all but sworn off bug repellant in all forms. i just hate the feel/smell it leaves on my body and i find most stuff wears off after half an hour or so anyways (for me, at least).

and if i haven't picked up a disease from my kitchen yet, i'm not too worried about west nile... :hit:

[Danimal]

If your riding fast enough, the bugs won't get you.

[TrailPatrol]

If your riding fast enough, the bugs won't get you.

Yes, Danny. But you know I am like an Ent. I never, ever do anything fast.

http://www.jadetower.org/muses/wlsimages/treebeard.jpg

Maybe my bark is just thick enough that the 'skeeters don't bug me.

Hans

[Nickel]

I've been using Naturapel Ultra for years. (They are a Backcountry Trail Patrol sponsor.) I also take Garlique for cardiovascular health, and garlic is supposed to keep bugs (and vampires) at bay. I suppose I smell like a citronella pizza.

I started using citronella in Russia in 1997, where the latitude and the mosquito population are similar to central Alaska. (Very bad!) It works well on some people and not as well on others...same thing with eucalyptus, depending on your body chemistry.

I carry a spray bottle of Cutters 23% DEET in the truck, but I usually just spray it on my ball cap when I am not on the bike. Bugs have to be really bad for me to spray DEET on my skin.


I would consider eating cloves of garlic everyday for both the bug repellent and health properties, but unfortunately it is not palatable for some of those that have to smell me ;) Is Garlique a pill? I have read about different essential oil combinations that you can use as repellent as well, but I have not had to dabble myself as the naturapel has worked great. If I do get bitten, I find placing an alcohol-containing solution minimizes the bite area greatly.

[SPR]

I see they make helemts with an embedded screen across the vents to keep bugs out. :)

[gordanfreeman]

speaking of cures for bites, i have found vinegar works wonders. i didn't believe it until i tried it, but one application took the itch away almost every time. the only real drawback i could find was that you smell/taste like vinegar for awhile...

[SpecHR55]

I dont see why you wouldnt wear it. Its not like its a hard thing to do and it would make your ride more enjoyable. I cant see any reasoning why any one wouldnt wear it unless your allergic to it or something. In the middle of the woods + sweaty body = Mosquito magnent.

[TrailPatrol]

[quote=Nickel ;) Is Garlique a pill? [quote]

"Garlique" is the only garlic pill brand I can recommend. It's a little more expensive than the others, but there is no noticeable taste or aftertaste. And nobody who gets that close to me (wife, grandkids, etc.) has said anything about any garlic odor.:D (And my 4 year-old granddaughter would say so...trust me.)

For what it's worth, at work at Sand Dunes, nobody can figure out why the bugs don't bug me. I don't even need to use Naturapel most days.

Works for me,

:banana:
Hans

[noise_is_life]

Does anyone have any experience with Picaridin based products, I just noticed it while looking up info on bug repellants on wikipedia. It sounds like it may be a decent alternative to deet.

I have to wear deet if mosquitos are about, my body chemistry attracts them like crazy. I can be sitting next to my wife being swarmed while she isn't getting a single bite.

I hate, hate, hate deet, but I don't have a choice. I have used 100% (nasty), but really Ultrathon works better.

[Nita]

Last year while riding Milaca, I hung some deet "wipes" form my Camelbak bungee cords. This worked great riding the Bog Monster. I didn't have to put any of it on my skin or clothing. I also found this little tin while visiting Moose Lake, its called Badger, and so far it works pretty good for me. Makes me smell like a candle, but there are no chemicals that are harmful in it.

Also, the West Nile mosquito is the one that likes the really hot weather. So the hotter it gets, the more of those nasties are flying around.