eat garlic. when the smell comes out your pours bugs will stay away and it wont spook the wild life.

I think it has a little scent but not anything like bug spray. Mine works well.

I haven't had any problems with my Thermacell. The directions say to press the "start" button several times in fast succession (sort of like how you start a gas grill). Doing that gets mine going every time.

As far as effectiveness versus cleanliness and being scent-free, I think it's probably the most effective thing on the market. Some folks have theorized that deer might be able to smell it even if you can't. I believe that the product has been tested with game and found to come out OK, so it seems that you're in the clear.

Either way - you should avoid putting your scent up-wind of the deer's expected path of travel. If you play the wind right, it won't really matter if it makes a detectable odor. Best part is that you come home with no bug bites AND no smelly chemicals on your skin.

I you can get a fire going, burn some leaves in it or some type of tinder that makes smoke. The smoke will keep the blood suckers away.

i have to agree with the garlic, it does 2 great three great things, keeps bugs off and helps you sleep, alone, but sleep. and you need to have a good head start on the garlic or it will not work well. try takeing garlic pills(they have no taste) or cook with it every night.

get pine needles and crush them in your hand and smear it on your face

non scented anti perspirant works cause they like bo (dunno why) and also if you dont use alot of scented stuff like colognes or scented body wash and stuff...

Thermacell device

Wear a no-see-um bug suit. We lived by them when I worked in the ADKs, especially during black fly season (late may-mid june). No scent, no batteries, and works great.