insect repellent advice

[Tengu]

Parents going to Finland friday

have been warned about the insect life....

they are in self catering on a lake, will get out and about

any reccomendations as to what would do (particularly if it can be got from cotswold outdoors as we are near them)

 

[JonnyP]

Deet is the best to keep them off, but its nasty stuff, will melt plastic, ie watch straps, tents, poly cotton shirts maybe, etc etc. Best to wear big hats and head nets me thinks. If you have an avon rep in your ares, try avons skin so soft... Best stuff other than deet I have found is autan...Smells nice and works a bit...Helped me in Scotland, but if they are determined then it ain't gonna work.... Jungle formula is not good either in my opinion, nor is life systems natural stuff with myrtle...

 

[Toddy]

No idea what might be best for prevention, but take anti-histamines along to ease the inflamation/ irritation. I also use stuff called Eurax, a cream that really soothes the itch.
You'd never guess I get eaten alive, would you?

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Goose]

Smoke 20 a day?

 

[woodstock]

I have used many things over the years but the most effective repellent so far is Avon's skin so soft also used by the special forces in jungle regions need i say more

 

[Chainsaw]

Shoo gets a good rep vs the midge as does 'overdosing' on vitamin B1 (thiamin), I like to keep covered up but I get on OK with Jungle Formula. I think different repellents work for different people.

Cheers,

Alan

 

[woodstock]

Shoo gets a good rep vs the midge as does 'overdosing' on vitamin B1 (thiamin), I like to keep covered up but I get on OK with Jungle Formula. I think different repellents work for different people.

the Avon stuff works against the dreaded midge as well, tried and tested in Glen Affric midge central

 

[Toddy]

SSS doesn't work for me though and I really can't stand the smell of it. It's the acrid Citronella that I find so offensive I think. The Bog Myrtle, Melissa and Mugwort stuff works at least as well as most however
I think our individual skin chemistry plays a big part; one of my sons just doesn't get bitten at all while the other is at least as bad as I am.
A good headnet is a brilliant bit of kit

cheers,
Toddy

 

[woodstock]

SSS doesn't work for me though and I really can't stand the smell of it. It's the acrid Citronella that I find so offensive I think. The Bog Myrtle, Melissa and Mugwort stuff works at least as well as most however
I think our individual skin chemistry plays a big part; one of my sons just doesn't get bitten at all while the other is at least as bad as I am.
A good headnet is a brilliant bit of kit

its just a case of trial and error to find what works I also find by eating loads of garlic before a hike cuts the bites down but the avon works or me

PS im a Avon Rep...........Not really

 

[Hunter_zero]

Parents going to Finland friday

have been warned about the insect life....

they are in self catering on a lake, will get out and about

any reccomendations as to what would do (particularly if it can be got from cotswold outdoors as we are near them)

Get some ex-army stuff it really works. Not the oil type liquid, get the US cream stuff in a green tube.

John

 

[KAE1]

Deet is the best to keep them off, but its nasty stuff, will melt plastic, ie watch straps, tents, poly cotton shirts maybe, etc etc. Best to wear big hats and head nets me thinks. If you have an avon rep in your ares, try avons skin so soft... Best stuff other than deet I have found is autan...Smells nice and works a bit...Helped me in Scotland, but if they are determined then it ain't gonna work.... Jungle formula is not good either in my opinion, nor is life systems natural stuff with myrtle...

S**t, I didn't know DEET was so aggresive, I usually use Bens 100 but it plays havoc with my asthma - have to try the Avon stuff.

 

[mace242]

Jungle formula is not good either in my opinion, nor is life systems natural stuff with myrtle...

I'm thinking that these things must respond to body chemistry in some way. I find Jungle formula is great - and tesco own extra strong repellant (which you can get in individually wrapped wipes - handy for fitting into a possibles pouch) is really good too. Though I only have to use these when there are loads of critters about as they tend to leave me alone.

 

[stickbow]

HI There
I have read a lot about the sss from Avon for repelling insects but on their website it shows several different products but none say insect repellant so which one do people use.
"Have fun shoot a stick"

 

[Chainsaw]

I see what you mean, you'd need to be an avon rep to sort that product range out! 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. I'll be sticking with Shoo or jungle formula.

Cheers,

Alan

 

[Tengu]

Thanks for your advice Im throughly confused now.

Im lending them my headnets though, will ordinary ones be enough or would I need midge proofs?

 

[Toddy]

I'm not being cheeky, but I didn't know you could get head nets that *weren't* midge proof....or is it just I live in Scotland?

Basically;
1] Exclude the blighters, using clothing, nets and the like.

2] Make them averse to biting you; change the body scent, reduce CO2, using formulas of one sort or another.

3] Reduce the inflammation and irritation of the bites; using anti-histamines and anti itch skin creams.

Personally I prefer to avoid them if I can, so still, muggy weather at dawn and dusk, are when I really make an effort to cover up especially if I'm near shrubby ground.

Hope the holiday's a success.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[andyn]

This is the skin-so-soft spray:
http://avonshop.co.uk/avonshop/prod..._id=&pdept_id=&dept_id=&pf_id=4982&line_id=69

I found it works best with midges up in Scotland and the mozzies actually liked the stuff. You have to drown yourself in it though. So have stopped using it now.

For nordic places, I have tried Craghoppers natural spray, SSS, DEET from livesystems and Nordic Summer oil. Personally found the nordic summer the best prodcut. Available from woodlore in the UK.

 

[Mastino]

Just back from Sweden and because of the fear for melting flylines I used a local product called Mygga. Workes OK.