I don't deet, if I can avoid it. Deet is poisonous. I like plant based repellents including lemongrass, geranium and other essential oils. They work for me, I can't abide the feeling of Deet when it gets on skin. What I'd really like, however would be trained bats that would flutter about my head voraciously gobbling the black flies, deer flies and mosquitos.
Somebody invented a laser that can target mosquitos and fry their little heads off. Saw it on POPSCI. Likely beyond my price range as yet but I want one mounted "inspector gadget" style in my hat! Imagine the light show on a summers walk in the woods at night!

Is there a product that combines the insect repelling power of this product and the sun protection of bullfrog ultra gel? I've got some nasty eastern CO plains lakes that have some super nasty deer flies that I'd like to test this product against.

That should read "plants and animals". My apologies.

Wettest winter on record for extreme south Texas. Mosquitoes EVERYWHERE! Grab the DEET, QUICK! No qualms about it. Plus, Deeter says this stuff stays on and works well in conjunction with sunscreen, so I'm going to have to try some of this stuff. That said, for my babies I continue to use Skin So Soft from Avon rather than the heavy stuff.

Thumbs up to Ultrathon, or any high-powered deet, but...I use it sparingly, and try to confine the deet to my clothing. Long sleeves, a flipped-up collar, and fingerless sun gloves help me a lot in super-buggy country.

And another qualifier: after all these years, I've developed a high tolerance to bugs. I don't like getting chewed or crawled on, but I no long swell up or itch when bitten.

And finally: anybody ever try a Thermacell? Check out the reviews online: many people swear by it.

When I have to, I use DEET, it works for sure, and yes, it "feels" weird on my skin, and it might not be good for you, but it is not like I'm drinking the stuff!!!

More years ago then I would like to remember, I worked in the Pest control industry, and one of the first 2 things you learned is, "There is no direct correlation between odor and toxicity" and " 'chemical and man made' can keep you safe,and 'natural and organic' can kill you!"
The point is that an emotional response to a situation can cause a person to draw false conclusions. Some of the most deadly pesticides are odorous, colorless, and tasteless. Some of my favorite cheeses would chase you out of the house!

For whatever reason, bugs love me -- when I go out, I put on DEET -- not in heavy concentrations, but nothing else works as well. Skin So Soft never worked for me at all. And I just read a longitudinal study on DEET and it was shown to be safe, or at least way safer than some folk'd lead you to believe. Bottom line, when I'm out and about trying to get my food, I don't want to be on the menu.

34.34% DEET, don't get this stuff in your eyes, WOW' THE BURN!! For something to toss into the pack to have would be great, but then you handle plastic and now you have an imprint of your finger on those fancy glasses and optics made of nonglass, O"MAN DARN! Being in Alaska and in the lower 48, I've found Cutters and Deep Woods Off with lesser percentage of DEET works just as well. One of the biggest laughs we get is when we tell someone about DEET being a byproduct of a Military Nerve Agent.

34.34% DEET in my book is a bet high and little bit over kill, I'll stick to my Cutters and Deep Woods Off. But if I do come across this stuff, I'll buy a couple of packets to have it rather than not to have no protection at all. 34.34% is better than 100% DEET in my book!

Here is a good site to read up on this stuff and other repellents.

http://www.shiras.net/Travel/insect_repellents.htm

I read somewhere that anything over 10% DEET was overkill. For the person not the insect.
I have written this before, but it may be worth repeating. DEET is bad for you, but if one happens to be in bad, bad tsetse fly country you might sell your soul for some Ultrathon. Had the luck, by chance, to share a camp in the Central African Republic with a beautiful French scientist who happened to be there doing an animal research project. She gave me a brilliant lecture on the merits of plant based insect repellants and the evils of DEET. After a couple of days of tsetse fly was ready to trade almost, repeat almost, anything to share my supply of Ultrathon.

Haven't tried these but I would highly recommend a Thermacell unit. Purchased one of these a couple years ago and was just amazed how well they work. Refills are easy to install & not that expensive. One butane cartridge will usually last around 10 hours & the pads around 3 hrs each.
I started using these during the deer season as we are still very warm most of the time during early bow & black powder. The first season I used this I bagged an 8 pt while sitting in a spot on the ground. He did not smell it & he was upwind not more than 40 yds away.
Now I carry one (with holster) and refills in my pack everywhere we go including fishing. Once its going no flying bugs will come within 10-12 feet of it. We even purchased one to keep on the back deck during summer evenings now.

Brother Deeter -- take it from your Southern-fried colleague who also loves to tramp through Canada's boreal woods. Sawyer Broad Spectrum is unbeatable, and not only because it comes in a handy, one-week-trip size pump bottle (NEVER have to get it on yer hands). Time-released Deet, effective on black flies. And if yer catfishing or somesuch other behavior in which you are stationary, NOTHING beats a Thermacell.

There you have it, from the heart of chiggerland and chitlins.

Happy Myles
You’re absolutely right, anything over 10% is overkill. In Alaska, I used nothing but Cutters which is less than 10% and never had a problem.

DEET is an effective solvent!

DEET was developed by the United States Army, following its experience of jungle warfare during World War II. It was originally tested as a pesticide on farm fields, and entered military use in 1946 and civilian use in 1957 (marketed as 6-12). It was used in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

I do I remember!!!

I remember that day just like today when I was 6. The Pheasant Farm ran by the Vandenberg Air Force Base Rod and Gun Club had a cleanup day. I was watching the giant brush pile burning and decided to toss one of those green cans in, “BOOM” and here comes Dad and the rest of the gang!! Sounded like a bomb went off it did! Dad asked what happened and I told him and he said, I bet you won't do that again right?! NO SIR!

Speaking of things that go BOOM, had you ever had someone in your camp toss batteries in the campfire?

buckhunter: the game ended poorly... OSU 3 ball to beat the buzzer... so poorly for a UM fan I guess. back on topic, I use muskol at 23.5% deet, great stuff!

One of my earliest memories is my dad smearing 6-12 on me to keep off the skeeters and gnats. I've used it all my life with no bad effects (yet). During turkey season I combine Repel (45% deet available from Walmart) with permethrin treated clothes and fire up the Thermacel when I'm stationary. Very effective combination against the things that sting, bite and suck blood here in the Heart of Dixie.

Buckhunter---The Thermacel is fantastic, but it doesn't work when you're walking, so some other form of protection is needed then. I wouldn't be without mine.

buckhunter the ending was sweet, turner shot a huge 3 to win it at the last second... sorry you had to miss it

as for deet i use it, but only on my clothes, i once sprayed it on a lantern while i was night fishing and it melted it. as for the thermocell its probably gong to be my next investment... i am going to costa rica for my senior trip, and plan to sneak away and do some fishin, does anyone know if you can take them on planes?

you know you have the good stuff when it eats up your clothes!