Woods + sweat = bugs!

[VeloVT]

Hi Ladies,
I participated in a women's beginning MTB clinic last week. It was lots of fun and I want to try MTBing more... but I got eaten alive by mosquitos! We were in deep woods in the evening, and the mosquitos were enormous, plentiful and aggressive.

If I do this more I'm going to need some kind of insect repellent... What do you use (or do you use it while MTBing)?

I would really like to find something that does not have lots of scary, potentially toxic chemicals (and I'd rather not have an aerosol spray either).

This looked interesting:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=75477&catid=46909&trx=PLST-0-CAT&trxp1=46909&trxp2=75477&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT

and so did this:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=39203&catid=46909&trx=PLST-0-CAT&trxp1=46909&trxp2=39203&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT

and this:
http://www.gaiam.com/product/eco-home-outdoor/household/pest-control/bite+away--153-+insect+repellent+set.do

Would be interested in hearing feedback on these or anything else you've used.

Also, Lyme Disease is becoming more common in Vermont, so all the more reason to use repellent in the woods...

Thanks for your help!

[SalsaMTB]

Honestly, most of the time I don't use it, but the few times I break down, I regret that decision. What I find with mountain biking, is that as long I'm riding, I don't have an issue with the bugs. It's when I get a flat/mechanical or have to push a hill that it gets bad.

So, as long as you keep moving, they won't bother you. If you're still new to the sport and have to push climbs or take breaks, be sure to use the stuff.

I haven't tried the ones you posted about, but I have tried the Burts Bees repellent. I was satisfied with the results. It may not be a great as OFF, but it got the job done and wasn't as horrible smelling and full of chemicals as the other stuff.

I've heard of people using other Kiss My Face products and been very satisfied. Haven't heard anything about the repellent though.

[spokewench]

I'm lucky, I live in Arizona - too dry for too many mosquitos - so sorry, we have few bugs so I am absolutely no help to you.

Yes, I am gloating - I used to live in bug country!:D

[lovelylibrarian]

I totally understand. We don't have many mosquitoes here but there a few and just the little gnats that buzz around my face make me crazy. It's usually worse when you stop, but a girl needs to take a break every once in awhile. I'd be interested to hear what suggestions other people have. I sweat so much that I think that anything I apply on my skin would come right off. Maybe try spraying something on your helmet??

[MtnBikerChk]

We ride all over new england and anything with DEET in it is a must. I have friends who have gotten lyme and it's ugly. DEET is your best defense, really. I know a lot of people are against the chemicals but I'll take my chances with that over lyme.

The first link you have says no deet but there must be something in it because of all the warnings. I can't really tell on the other 2.

Also, to not attract bugs, don't use fabric softener in your clothing. I always run my bike clothes through a second rinse cycle. And don't wear strong smelling shampoo or deoderant.

Good luck!

[bike4ever]

I second MtnBikerChk to get something with Deet. We have had a terribly wet spring in the MidWest. The "skeeters" are already terrible. I've been eaten just watching one of the boys baseball games. We also get chiggers bad so the Deet helps with that.

[VeloVT]

I second MtnBikerChk to get something with Deet. We have had a terribly wet spring in the MidWest. The "skeeters" are already terrible. I've been eaten just watching one of the boys baseball games. We also get chiggers bad so the Deet helps with that.

Eek, DEET was what I was hoping to avoid... Mostly for toxicity reasons, but I've also read that DEET can be destructive to synthetic fabrics, plastics and spandex (chemically, it's actually a solvent). Not crazy about this prospect with my bike clothes, synthetic saddle/bar tape and carbon/resin bike. Has anyone had issues with this?

Thanks for the suggestions!

[bluebug32]

I've tried several sprays (including Off) and still find myself getting bitten in the woods. MBC had a good suggestion with avoiding additional smells. I also live in one of the country's worst counties for ticks that carry lyme disease.

[SheFly]

I agree with MBC - DEET is the ONLY way to go to avoid Lyme, and for the bugs. Heck - I usually walk out the door slathered in Ivy Block, sunscreen and bug spray.

The key is not to spray the bug spray on your bike clothes - if you just spray your arms and legs, you won't damage your clothing. And your bike won't be an issue unless you dunk it in a vat of the stuff :D. I have been using DEET for years, and have not ruined any clothing or bike parts as a result.

The other trick - spray some on your helmet/head before you go as well.

Here in MA, deer flies are also an issue. Soon, my MTB season will be over until the fall. Once the bugs get that bad, I stick to road riding.

SheFly

[Tuckervill]

I live in Arkansas. We have lots of ticks, mosquitos and chiggers.

I have been particularly blessed in that mosquitos don't seem to like me. But, when they're particularly bad, instead of taking a bath in the repellent, I simply spray a cloud of it in the air and walk through it. I don't cover all exposed skin.

If I was in a very bad situation with a mosquito-y swamp nearby, I'd probably spray more. But for just passing through, a little goes a long way. If I was walking through a tick-or chigger-infested area, I'd probably make sure my legs were well-coated. For a mountain bike trail in Vermont (I've ridden on Mt. Snow), I wouldn't worry about a full coating.

I agree with the DEET=no Lyme disease, too. When I was in the Army the insect repellent they gave us was DEET. Then a study came out saying how horrible it was and you could hardly find anything with DEET...then Lyme disease came along. I don't have Lyme, but I have had a tick-borne illness (not otherwise specified), and it was the worst illness of my life. I'll take the DEET.

Karen

[sundial]

I use Bullfrog Mosquito Coast spray with SPF 30. It is DEET free.

I also use the powder fresh OFF spray. I haven't had any problems with gnats and mosquitos using either product. I didn't find any ticks on me either, but hubby found one hitchhiker on him.

[clarson1178]

Garlic is a must for keeping the bugs away, no chemicals there.:D Vitamin B works really well too. However DEET is what i take everytime out camping or really buggy places, i even use 100% deet from REI. i have a friend dying from lymn right now. UGLY and deet wont kill you if you are using it every once in a while

good luck and play hard:cool:

[OakLeaf]

Thread (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=24242) about this in Open Topic going on right now...

Bite Blocker (http://www.homs.com) for me. Good stuff, really works (and I get nothing from citronella or Skin-So-Soft).

NEJM (http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/347/1/13) article detailing a study of a number of different repellents, based on DEET, IR3535, and various botanicals. The article also provides citations for the statement that higher concentrations of DEET do not work any better, they just last longer than lower concentrations, and also efficacy plateaus around 50%.

[sundial]

So, as long as you keep moving, they won't bother you.

One of the reasons I finally hung up my mtb was the deer flies. No matter how fast I was going, they zoomed inside my helmet and boinged against my hair. :eek: I thought the knats were going to be bad, but it was the deer flies that finally took it's toll on me--well, that and the suspicious foliage.

[lph]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned eating matchheads yet... :p

[beccaB]

I'm very concerned on how not to eat bugs. Especially in Michigan because there is a lot of road kill that never gets cleaned up. I have driven across country east to west 3 times and haven't seen as much road kill. So how can I avoid eating bugs and still breathe? I don't breathe through my nose much when I'm riding .