Woods + sweat = bugs!

[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 . 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. 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

[OakLeaf]

Thread about this in Open Topic going on right now...

Bite Blocker for me. Good stuff, really works (and I get nothing from citronella or Skin-So-Soft).

NEJM 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%.