Non-DEET Moquito Repellant
Reader Jon L writes:
I saw in your post that mosquitoes were giving you problems. Get this stuff. Doesn’t attack plastic or you. Much less irritating than DEET. No DEET in it and it is as effective or more so than DEET.
Also available as a pump spray, be sure to get at least 20% picaridin. Ranger is another good brand for the pump spray.
Worked in Ontario and northern MN so should work in the mountains. Also good for ticks and biting flies. I don’t know about fleas.
DIGLLOYD: I’m not having any problems with fleas at present. Even Tigger has none when I flea comb him. :;
Sawyer Products SP5622 Picaridin Insect Repellant @AMAZON
I’ve ordered some and will report back should I need to use it. Though I am hoping that an oddball early freeze will kill off high country bugs by August 28 at least at 9K feet on up—not likely.
The DEET my daughter was using really stank to high heaven—very unpleasant inside my van and made me sneeze too. I did not use any, fearing damage to camera gear.
Louis F writes:
I have been using this brand for years now in FL and when traveling out west during warmer weather.
I like the small 0.5 oz. 20% Picardin pump and the larger 3 oz size too.Then I spray clothing if going to a highly infested area with the Sawyer 24oz yellow bottle with Permethrin which is to be applied to clothing or tents only, not skin. It works for me.
DIGLLOYD: good to know.
James G writes:
I switched to picardin last year. It works as well as DEET but doesn't smell as bad and it wont dissolve nylon. I can tell you from experience that DEET and nylon fishing leaders do not play well together.
I just got back from the Sneffels traverse in the San Juans of Colorado and the mosquitoes were almost non-existent. I can’t speak for the Sierras this year but am hearing rumors the mosquitos are already declining, despite the wet conditions.
How was your experience?
DIGLLOYD: I can’t say much on the relative population of mosquitoes since they vary a lot by location, time of day, etc. They were bad near Tenaya Lake and in 20 Lakes Basin, but not there at 11K feet.
