ATL Locals: Best Bug Spray? (East Point, Alma: military, store, oil)

[Alicia64]

I thought if anyone would know, it would be you. Do you have a bug spray or bug bracelet or bug candle or bug anything that you can recommend?

I hate feeling "coated" and with sunblock and bug spray, I end up having that coated, "I need a shower" feeling.

But I hate getting bit up too. Bites can be bad when you wake up scratching at night.

Thanks!!

Alley

[ElleKaye]

I am a mosquito magnet so I have to use a repellent. Over the years, I have tried all sorts of products from the holistic to not FDA approved lol.

I'm pleased with the pump spray version of OFF that I have. It feels much more natural on my skin than the aerosol can versions of anything. Once it dries, it basically feels like nothing is there. I have the unscented one, but you may like the clean feel one better: FamilyCare mosquito repellent | OFF!® Insect Repellents. I may give the clean feel a try, but the unscented works so well that I'll probably just stick with what I know works.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by Alicia64

I thought if anyone would know, it would be you. Do you have a bug spray or bug bracelet or bug candle or bug anything that you can recommend?

When you can control your environment, citronella torches/lanterns work great. You need enough to be surrounded by them, though. Our neighbors have these really cool looking, modern citronella lanterns that look nothing like the typical "tiki torch" or the lame little candles they sell at Walmart (those do nothing, you need a substantial flame). I don't know where they got them, but any outdoor supply store will have options for torches and lanterns that will get the job done. We use them in our yard to avoid using bug spray as much as possible; I hate it for the same reasons you mentioned.

[Clayton white guy]

I do not sell/ own shares in AVON, but "Skin So Soft" really does seem to do the trick. Admittedly, I have a can of spray pump "Deep Woods OFF" on my front porch now that seems to do the trick with myself, my wife, and our children.

[Tryska]

Deep Woods Off.

[Tryska]

Also - a trick I picked up from a kayaking friend of mine....in a pinch you can rub your skin with a dryer sheet - that will keep them off as well.

I have one cat that the mosquitoes seem to love. They tear up his ears like nobody's business in the summer. I rub dryer sheet on his ears (he hates it), but he is doing much better so far this year, than previously.

[OuiOui]

My trusty Farmer's Almanac had a great article on using essential oils and plant for natural bug repellants. Gosh, I'll have to take a look later tonight, but off the top of my head I remember:

Lavender oil, Cedar, Citronella or Lemongrass, Rosemary and Eucalyptus

These could be a good alternative for smaller kids or folks who have bad reactions to the more chemical-y stuff. You can rub the oil into your skin or keep the plants on your patio to ward off the skeeters.

[Tryska]

Originally Posted by OuiOui

My trusty Farmer's Almanac had a great article on using essential oils and plant for natural bug repellants. Gosh, I'll have to take a look later tonight, but off the top of my head I remember:

Lavender oil, Cedar, Citronella or Lemongrass, Rosemary and Eucalyptus

These could be a good alternative for smaller kids or folks who have bad reactions to the more chemical-y stuff. You can rub the oil into your skin or keep the plants on your patio to ward off the skeeters.

One of my neighbors here in East Point makes and sells a spray using these essential oils at our farmer's market. It does do a great job, but you have to keep re-applying it. I like using his stuff, but if I am going to be someplace where re-applying is inconvenient - I go with the Deep Woods Off.

And the cat hated the oil on his ears even more than dryer sheets, so there's that.

[ATLTJL]

100% Deet.

I use Ben's, but there are other brands. Just make sure you get the 100% stuff. You don't need much of it, it doesn't feel greasy, and it works great.

This is what the military uses in jungles. They invented it.

Of course, it's the same active ingredient as most popular bug sprays, they just dilute it which makes you have to use more product, get greasier, and pay more. With the 100% stuff, a bit on your wrists, neck, and ankles does the trick. No need to coat your whole body.