its 1 of the perks of michigan....watchin them all die when the cold rolls in....and that sweet SWEET little open window during pre spring where its warm but not 1 single bug is out yet.
Personally, I buy Permethrin in its concentrated form. After I dilute it (6.5 oz per gallon of water), I soak all of my hiking clothes and then let them drip dry. Clothes treated this way will remain bug free for either 6 months or 6 washes, whichever comes first.
Great stuff mate. I am now routinely camping in the Scottish Highlands where it is a midge and mosquito holocaust. Here is what we have found out so far.... and Im talking about camping and hiking in locations where you will get black soot on your arms because there are THAT MANY midges...... You are right about red light We found this out by accident, but NEVER get into your tent with a white light on. My tent lamp is covered in red tape, and when I get into my tent I turn off all white lamps, turn on my red tent lamp, and get in. Dont know the science but red light does not attract them. Repellents are nonsense They DONT "repel" they only stop the insect from biting at that location. So if you are swarmed with bugs, and you put on repellent, they will only keep seeking that one spot you missed and bite you there. Insect repellent is like police cameras. They dont stop crime they just displace it. Trust me .... unless you are going to smother every inch of your body in DEET every four hours, the bugs are just going to bite you at any location that you missed Barrier methods are win. Bee keepers wear suits right? Theoretically they are experts at not getting bitten, and they know ALL the tricks with that insect species....... but they wear physical protection. Physically stop the insects from having easy access to your skin. Bicycle clips or gaiters ..... head nets, hats, long sleaves and gloves. Dont give the bugs skin. Seriously... all the pros who spend time in bug country like Finland or Iceland all end up just using barrier methods. A cautionary tale.... Many chemical solutions are not only ineffective but certain bug sprays defend against mosquito bites but attract other insects like deer fly. Similarly DEET is utterly toxic to your kidneys. I used one spray on my clothes and that made me phytotoxic and where i sweated into the cloth I got blisters. Chemical solutions are NOT the solution. Be VERY wary about trying to solve this problem with chemical sprays because they are almost exclusively hydrocarbon molecules derived from insecticide, which themselves are a few molecules away from nerve gas. Do a quick google search on insecticides and nerve gas and see what Im talking about. Permethrin is not "safe" and neither are the other chemical agents. If you are old like me then slathering this crap on your skin is no biggy, but if you are young and hiking you do NOT want to be using this crap regularly because it is toxic AF. Sorry to say but red light and physical barriers are the only way forward. And dont believe that crap about smoke from the fire... that does not work either.
Okay, let me say something here. When I used to go hiking I used to get destroyed by mosquitoes almost every time there were mosquitoes. My friends who would join me on rare occasions would even say I was like a bug magnet.. THIS YEAR however, I hiked more than I ever have in a year and I only got maybe 2 good bug bites the whole year. I figured out why! I used to wear Old Spice Pure Sport deodorant. This year I've been wearing Old Spice Swagger deodorant. One morning I got bored of the Swagger smell and put on the Pure Sport and went for a hike at my favorite local place, and I was instantly surrounded by bugs that I haven't seen all year... I walked a decent trail and was swarmed the whole time by bugs, so I walked back to the car and used a wet wipe on my pits and put on my Old Spice Swagger deodorant and went back out for a walk. I walked the whole trail and back and not once did I have bugs around me! After getting back to the car I realized the Swagger stick says, "Confidence and CEDARWOOD" on the front of the deodorant. I can tell you that it works for sure, and after about 2+ hours it kinda fades off, but can be reapplied. I'm going to test out next year with no deodorant and just some homemade sprays using cedarwood as the main active ingredient.. I also know for a fact that peppermint works well for many bugs too, like my ex-friend's bed bugs that bit me every night, all over, until the time I started putting peppermint oil around my ankles and wrists, and neck at night. ALSO, I've used all kinds of sprays and can say it really just depends on the day for those.. Sometimes they work great for gnats and not mosquitoes and other days it's the opposite. DEET it the one spray that almost always works for mosquitoes, but there are times that it just doesn't.. Like when it rains.. Citronella does nothing for me with bugs, but the smoke it makes while burning helps. I've also watch videos of a guy testing citronella and deet and those wrist bands in a glass box full of mosquitoes and permethrin and deet were the only real winners. I didn't have success when I used permethrin the first or second time so I either had a bad batch or it just doesn't work well. I almost forgot.. I have a ton of bug sprays but haven't used any of them at all this whole year, even with the amount of hiking I've done - in shorts!
Wow I wear Old Spice sport and I've always had problems with mosquito bites while everyone else around me seems immune. You really make me wonder now if it's my deodorant attracting them! I'll have to keep this in mind and get a different kind next time I go shopping then test it.
10:30 Thermacell also makes a product called the Backpacker that uses the same type of chemical pad and heating principle, but the device screws onto your isobutane canister. It's a little smaller and a little lighter weight because it doesn't require a separate butane canister cartridge. You just use the same canister many/most backpackers use for their stove. I just purchased one. I've used it once so far, just in my backyard. I don't think it would work in very windy conditions, but most of the time, mosquitoes aren't out in windy conditions anyway. It will only help with bugs when you're at camp or somewhere you're going to be for a few hours, and the pads are not cheap (like $1.50 each), but I have heard you can recharge and reuse the pads using permethrin.
If there're a lot of bugs outside my tent, or if it's raining, my little trick is to just zip my tent closed with my feet still outside, then take my shoes off and finish closing it. I need a clean sleeping area, so no shoes in the tent Citronella candles haven't worked for me at all. You know it's probably not effective at repelling mosquitos when you find a couple actually drowned in the wax! Maybe it's the brand I used (Off Citronella Bucket)?
Citronella candles are a gimmick. They barely even smell like citronella. Citronella oils though, especially the concentrated essential oils which i burn over tiny ceramics with tea candles work really well. Citronella lotion works but not the "OFF" Lotion brand. (At least in my country) "Moringa-O" lotion brand is the one we use here. It works well and even the limatik(tiny blood leeches) won't bite nor crawl on your skin when you have the lotion applied.
They absolutely do not work at all. I tried them before and they did not ward a single mosquito away. I legit was putting the flame right up to the bug, and it would not go away.
Hands down best bug repellent ever is Avon Skin So Soft - it's the most effective, most long lasting, and no need to smother yourself as a small amount works, plus it smells great. Not originally meant to be a repellent but widely used as one, including by the Royal Marines when in the jungle. Neem is also a great natural alternative to deet - just as effective but doesn't last as long.
I’m with you re the potential harm of deet. I got some on my g-shock and it ate into the resin of the strap and case. Made me think of what it might be doing to my body, so I’m now looking for alternatives. Thinking that lemon one is my next try. Great vid.
Hey Punk! Not you Eric, you're to young to remember Punk sticks. They still make them. They're like a giant incense stick. I would light a couple and stick them in the ground around where we were fishing. 👍
I have never considered a head net until a recent trip in Michigan where the gnats were crazy. How do you properly wear a bug head net? Is there anything to it? Sea to Summit has a few different types... which are best?
Get one treated with permetherin and wear it over your hat of choice, and pull toggle loosley around your neck. I use one and its VERY helpful keeping them out of mouth, eyes, hair, ears. Hope this helps!
Picardin lotion around toght spots like the waistband and ankles under socks for chiggers, deet spray everywhere else works best for me, deet helps keep the tocks and mosquitoes away but doesnt seem to phase the chiggers. Troed picardin and they stay away
..Step ONE : Treat your hiking clothing with Permethrin before you trip .. each treatment good for 4-6 washes .. TWO : Use a topical spray ,, ie,; Picaridin ,, commercial sprays with deet ,, Skin-so-soft lotion ,, or the preferred bug dope..
if theres lots of bugs enter your tent by opening the bottom half of the doot and sliding in on oyour stomach, sliding through doesnt let many bugs in.
I would steer away from prallethrin not only because of the reasons you mentioned, but especially because it is very effective in killing insects, reptiles and fish. Thermacell or whatever dissipating it all over will affect things that don't care about you at all. Not sure about you, but I want to be as invasive as possible, so there is still something to enjoy for the future generations too.
Very important thing with Permethrin is that's toxic for water life and cats, and it's deadly for insects. It's not repelent, it is pesticide. Safe for humans and dogs etc. but cats had mutation in metabolic pathway so permethrin is toxic for them, but other Pyrethroids can be safe like Pyrethrum.
Many good points thanks. I would not recommend an Amazon jungle expedition for you. Like some of the old sayings " embrace the suck " in the jungle "Embrace the bugs"
@@BackpackingTV I lived there for about 5 years in the jungle yes the bugs , Giant Spiders And don't forget The king size anaconda. In time I got us to Itching! 😁😂😁 love your work! 🤗🤗
Sawyer Permethrin spray it on your gaiters pants long sleeved shirts and hat Picardin on your neck hands and ears Headnet and thin gloves And that is that Good for ticks, midges and mosquitoes
On my most recent camp, I was subjected to a slug attack. Both tent porches had them and several were climbing up the tent inner. There must have been at least 20 of them. I’ve never had anything like that before. Do you have any idea what may have caused this?.
Idk for certain, but i think slugs are essentially the same as snails. As a wicked child, i (and my wicked childhood friends) enjoyed sprinkling table salt on snails and watching them foam and writh. They had a really foamy reaction. Pretty cool, we thoughh. Wickedly. So maybe a salt-line perimeter would keep the buggers out of your tent.
I'm 1 of the lucky 1's. If there is ANYONE else near by, the bugs attack them... So I just need to find another person to be protected... Or DEET if I'm alone!
some years in northern ontario are very noticeably worse than others for bugs. I remember one summer when I was a kid I went to my friends cottage and the mosquitoes were so bad when you shined a light outside at night they'd almost block the light out. You could probably kill about 100 of them with one swing of a frying pan. Bug spray was useless. We'd cover head to toe and duct tape our sleeves and pant legs shut, wear gloves and bug nets and they'd still manage to get you all over. Only thing that ever kept them (temporarily) at bay was to build a BIG fire and start tossing on big pine tree boughs and huge green ferns and leaves, basically just fumigating the entire area. Oh and that's not even mentioning the flesh craving horse flies. Those little fuckers are their own special brand of evil.
Definitely not A+ dude and the amount mosquitos piss me off that pisses me off u say thats A+. I am a wild garlic picker and I think the only possible way is to wear a bee keepers suit.
I was a detailer at an autobody repair shop for 3 years and I used to apply 34% DEET to hazy/old headlamps to renew them. So yes, I would imagine DEET would destroy your gear because if it can basically remove a layer off of a hard plastic, it will deteriorate soft plastics.
I always use picaridin and permethrin. That combo keeps ticks and mosquitoes away really well for me(plus Picaridin doesn’t stink like deet). As far as gnats however, I haven’t found anything that keeps them from dive-bombing my eyes(I even tried swim goggles because I hate wearing a headnet, but the goggles fogged up too much). I’ve tried deet, Picaridin, NoNatz and Natrapel, but the gnats seem attracted to all of them. I’ve resorted to just smashing them against my forehead now
Plain original toothpaste.... NOT mint it’ll burn.... but small amount rubbed on the goggles, let dry then buff it off... literally better than any anti-fog you can buy. (Old diver’s secret) 👍
Love the tape trick! Thanks for that, Eric! FYI, if you're in bear country, citronella candles need to be put away just like all other smellables. We left a couple of them out one night by accident, and sure enough, a bear ate them.
@@beginneroilpaint4064 thankfully, other than the candles, no issues with sprays or permethrin when it comes to bears. Just doing a quick cursory search right now, it looks like bears are especially attracted to citronella, so that's good to know! I have a video going in-depth about insect repellents, but my favorite is Repel Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. You can also treat your gear with permethrin (lasts about 6 weeks, and I have another video on this), use a head net, wear loose clothing (mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing), wear muted tones... There are several ways to help protect yourself. :) I hope that helps!
I've found that Picaridin is actually more effective than Deet for me, especially in lotion form - bonus is that the lotion doesn't have that slimy feel at all, no smell, and is very durable, usually lasts at least 12 hours.
I’ve lived in the Philippines for a year and half and the bug’s here are on another level, the ants are absolutely everywhere and the mosquitoes are tiny but deliver the same effects, it’s hard to even see them and they are sneaky, I use coconut vinegar on mosquito bites and it works great removing itchy swelling in minutes, I’m sure plane white vinegar will have the same effect 👍😁
I did 2 separate trips to PI for jungle training with the Marines and the mosquitoes we encountered were ravenous A-10 type. And we had to camp without mosquito nets. We were covered with bites and had to take malaria shots but a couple of guys got it anyway. Beautiful place otherwise.
I’m in Florida. Extreme bugs. On the first Eve of every trip I get covered in camp fire smoke. Then apply Deet to the areas that are worst (ankles, neck, etc). From there, I’m pretty good for 2-3 days. I often worry about Deet getting on my clothes and sleeping bag. That Duck tape trip is amazing. Ty.
My GF brought some huge (about two foot long) incense sticks with bug repellent built-in. They burned for a long time and worked great. We set up two or 3 around camp every night. I can’t remember the brand name, sorry.
I use Sawyers Permethrin on all my clothing and camping gera. It will not hurt material like the nylon eating DEET will. Sawyers Picaridin on the skin to complete the double trouble for the bugs. In my 77 years I have found that combination is the best the world has to offer and beats everything else by a mile. Wish it would of been available about 60 years ago.
I personally find picaridin more effective than DEET. The permethrin/picaridin combination keeps me pretty well unmolested. I do carry a (permethrin treated) bug net and lightweight glove liners for the few times it gets truly brutal out there…
From what I’ve seen, should I treat all my exterior clothes and gear with permethrin, and then apply a picaridin lotion before starting my hike? I’m hoping that keeps most things off me.
Three of us went camping in a tick area where we had to cross portages. Two of us got ticks because we were fully clothed. One of us didn’t get a single one because he was wearing no clothing but marine shorts. This experience Goes against the myths of clothing.😢
Thermacell is bulky and you need to buy the gas for it, which makes it expensive in use. Definitely a no-go for me. I am used to use DEET on my bicycle tours. Coming back from Northcape end June 2022, I was eaten up from the mosquitoes despite DEET and wearing a net in the evenings. In Finland, I was recommended a product with 20% icaridin, to which I had to add some pitch oil. That seemed to work very well for the next two weeks, until I was way down in Sweden where there were much less mosquitoes. Lesson learned: for my future bicycle tours I will always carry my icaridine/pitch oil mixture. Another note: the candles are useless. Maybe they keep the mosquitoes away from you in a closed space, but definitely are of no use when camping outside.
I watch these videos while eating lunch or something and find the content pretty humorous most the time. I have come to the conclusion that most people have no common sense or problem solving ability. Don't leave the tent door unzipped?
I don’t bring many comfort items on a long backpack so I can keep a low weight. But I have figured out what I will bring to have a good experience. But this, I bring everywhere. Stansport 2 in 1 Lantern Bug Zapper, Green If the bugs won’t fly to it it’s fun to bring it to them
Have you noticed specific colors that attract mosquitos and flying insects? I went camping with a girlfriend who was wearing a white sweater, and I swear mosquitos flocked to her. She had to change to a different top.
Wait, why would you be swatting the bugs if you're wearing a whole face mask and suit? lol you could just sit there 😂 i know, it was for the shot, but that was funny
I'm not a great hiker, but I am certainly not a rookie. In Canada where I go hiking, is pure badlands, and extremely rugged to put it mildly. Thank you for the great videos Dude! I'm always trying to learn new techniques, and, or just learning the proper way to do things. Thank you again Dude. With love, and respect. Wes Sept
I am a chigger magnet and living in National Forest for 28 years here’s my take on bug protection. Orange can of Off for spraying on body and rubbing in. Green can for clothes now both only fool the bug into thinking your something not to eat I want the bug to die if it gets on me I want it to shrivel up it’s head to fall off and die. Now I take Real Kill, Raid, Ant and roach killer and spray on my boots and pant legs and this has helped the most.
I absolutely hate TICKS. I read that permethrin is not a repellent. It actually kills ticks that crawl onto permethrin treated fabric. It’s going on my shoes, socks, pants, shirts, tent. Not sure, maybe even my sleeping bag.
Thank you, I always enjoy your videos! My bug head net doesn’t even register a weight on my scale and it has saved my sanity more than once, haha. I’m trying permethrin this year. Happy trails!
What?! No mention of the other “big” ones even though one is even in the title?! Ticks are a huge thing for both hiker and your dog. And I’d suggest also leeches in a lot of areas too.
![[UA] Eternal Fire проти NAVI | EPL Season 20 Malta](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/chvlsDygrZM/mqdefault.jpg)
The ultimate solution (but one that not everyone is willing to do) is to hike only in winter. Not many bugs around when it's snowing.
it's true, that is effective!
its 1 of the perks of michigan....watchin them all die when the cold rolls in....and that sweet SWEET little open window during pre spring where its warm but not 1 single bug is out yet.
Not in FL
Personally, I buy Permethrin in its concentrated form. After I dilute it (6.5 oz per gallon of water), I soak all of my hiking clothes and then let them drip dry.
Clothes treated this way will remain bug free for either 6 months or 6 washes, whichever comes first.
Great stuff mate.
I am now routinely camping in the Scottish Highlands where it is a midge and mosquito holocaust.
Here is what we have found out so far.... and Im talking about camping and hiking in locations where you will get black soot on your arms because there are THAT MANY midges......
You are right about red light
We found this out by accident, but NEVER get into your tent with a white light on. My tent lamp is covered in red tape, and when I get into my tent I turn off all white lamps, turn on my red tent lamp, and get in. Dont know the science but red light does not attract them.
Repellents are nonsense
They DONT "repel" they only stop the insect from biting at that location. So if you are swarmed with bugs, and you put on repellent, they will only keep seeking that one spot you missed and bite you there. Insect repellent is like police cameras. They dont stop crime they just displace it. Trust me .... unless you are going to smother every inch of your body in DEET every four hours, the bugs are just going to bite you at any location that you missed
Barrier methods are win.
Bee keepers wear suits right? Theoretically they are experts at not getting bitten, and they know ALL the tricks with that insect species....... but they wear physical protection.
Physically stop the insects from having easy access to your skin. Bicycle clips or gaiters ..... head nets, hats, long sleaves and gloves. Dont give the bugs skin. Seriously... all the pros who spend time in bug country like Finland or Iceland all end up just using barrier methods.
A cautionary tale....
Many chemical solutions are not only ineffective but certain bug sprays defend against mosquito bites but attract other insects like deer fly. Similarly DEET is utterly toxic to your kidneys. I used one spray on my clothes and that made me phytotoxic and where i sweated into the cloth I got blisters. Chemical solutions are NOT the solution. Be VERY wary about trying to solve this problem with chemical sprays because they are almost exclusively hydrocarbon molecules derived from insecticide, which themselves are a few molecules away from nerve gas.
Do a quick google search on insecticides and nerve gas and see what Im talking about. Permethrin is not "safe" and neither are the other chemical agents. If you are old like me then slathering this crap on your skin is no biggy, but if you are young and hiking you do NOT want to be using this crap regularly because it is toxic AF.
Sorry to say but red light and physical barriers are the only way forward. And dont believe that crap about smoke from the fire... that does not work either.
Okay, let me say something here. When I used to go hiking I used to get destroyed by mosquitoes almost every time there were mosquitoes. My friends who would join me on rare occasions would even say I was like a bug magnet.. THIS YEAR however, I hiked more than I ever have in a year and I only got maybe 2 good bug bites the whole year. I figured out why! I used to wear Old Spice Pure Sport deodorant. This year I've been wearing Old Spice Swagger deodorant. One morning I got bored of the Swagger smell and put on the Pure Sport and went for a hike at my favorite local place, and I was instantly surrounded by bugs that I haven't seen all year... I walked a decent trail and was swarmed the whole time by bugs, so I walked back to the car and used a wet wipe on my pits and put on my Old Spice Swagger deodorant and went back out for a walk. I walked the whole trail and back and not once did I have bugs around me! After getting back to the car I realized the Swagger stick says, "Confidence and CEDARWOOD" on the front of the deodorant. I can tell you that it works for sure, and after about 2+ hours it kinda fades off, but can be reapplied. I'm going to test out next year with no deodorant and just some homemade sprays using cedarwood as the main active ingredient.. I also know for a fact that peppermint works well for many bugs too, like my ex-friend's bed bugs that bit me every night, all over, until the time I started putting peppermint oil around my ankles and wrists, and neck at night. ALSO, I've used all kinds of sprays and can say it really just depends on the day for those.. Sometimes they work great for gnats and not mosquitoes and other days it's the opposite. DEET it the one spray that almost always works for mosquitoes, but there are times that it just doesn't.. Like when it rains.. Citronella does nothing for me with bugs, but the smoke it makes while burning helps. I've also watch videos of a guy testing citronella and deet and those wrist bands in a glass box full of mosquitoes and permethrin and deet were the only real winners. I didn't have success when I used permethrin the first or second time so I either had a bad batch or it just doesn't work well. I almost forgot.. I have a ton of bug sprays but haven't used any of them at all this whole year, even with the amount of hiking I've done - in shorts!
I’ve also noticed that mosquitoes are attracted to some deodorants 👍😁
I don’t want to smell good for the bears
But ya, imma try on local
Should lay off the amp
Wow I wear Old Spice sport and I've always had problems with mosquito bites while everyone else around me seems immune. You really make me wonder now if it's my deodorant attracting them! I'll have to keep this in mind and get a different kind next time I go shopping then test it.
Proudly sponsored by Old Spice.
That duct tape trick is brilliant! Thanks for the tip, Eric.
Bugs as a source of nourishment. That's good to know in a survival situation. No need to search for food when the food searches for you.
But how many calories is a bug even
10:30 Thermacell also makes a product called the Backpacker that uses the same type of chemical pad and heating principle, but the device screws onto your isobutane canister. It's a little smaller and a little lighter weight because it doesn't require a separate butane canister cartridge. You just use the same canister many/most backpackers use for their stove.
I just purchased one. I've used it once so far, just in my backyard. I don't think it would work in very windy conditions, but most of the time, mosquitoes aren't out in windy conditions anyway.
It will only help with bugs when you're at camp or somewhere you're going to be for a few hours, and the pads are not cheap (like $1.50 each), but I have heard you can recharge and reuse the pads using permethrin.
If there're a lot of bugs outside my tent, or if it's raining, my little trick is to just zip my tent closed with my feet still outside, then take my shoes off and finish closing it. I need a clean sleeping area, so no shoes in the tent
Citronella candles haven't worked for me at all. You know it's probably not effective at repelling mosquitos when you find a couple actually drowned in the wax! Maybe it's the brand I used (Off Citronella Bucket)?
Citronella candles are a gimmick. They barely even smell like citronella.
Citronella oils though, especially the concentrated essential oils which i burn over tiny ceramics with tea candles work really well.
Citronella lotion works but not the "OFF" Lotion brand.
(At least in my country)
"Moringa-O" lotion brand is the one we use here.
It works well and even the limatik(tiny blood leeches) won't bite nor crawl on your skin when you have the lotion applied.
They absolutely do not work at all. I tried them before and they did not ward a single mosquito away. I legit was putting the flame right up to the bug, and it would not go away.
Taking shoes off is super important, there are so many dirt on our shoes! some may carry weird stuff.
Fascinating info on deet percentage!
Hands down best bug repellent ever is Avon Skin So Soft - it's the most effective, most long lasting, and no need to smother yourself as a small amount works, plus it smells great. Not originally meant to be a repellent but widely used as one, including by the Royal Marines when in the jungle. Neem is also a great natural alternative to deet - just as effective but doesn't last as long.
I’m with you re the potential harm of deet. I got some on my g-shock and it ate into the resin of the strap and case. Made me think of what it might be doing to my body, so I’m now looking for alternatives. Thinking that lemon one is my next try. Great vid.
Hey Punk! Not you Eric, you're to young to remember Punk sticks. They still make them. They're like a giant incense stick. I would light a couple and stick them in the ground around where we were fishing. 👍
Burn dried sage around ur campsite.....start in the center and walk in circles outward....works great....U can fire up a stoogie too!
I have never considered a head net until a recent trip in Michigan where the gnats were crazy. How do you properly wear a bug head net? Is there anything to it? Sea to Summit has a few different types... which are best?
Get one treated with permetherin and wear it over your hat of choice, and pull toggle loosley around your neck. I use one and its VERY helpful keeping them out of mouth, eyes, hair, ears. Hope this helps!
Therma Cel. Can't beat em. Use them all the time. Especially turkey hunting, in camo..sitting there...not moving. Therma Cels are life saver.
PS. about a million time safer than the VAXs! lol
Picardin lotion around toght spots like the waistband and ankles under socks for chiggers, deet spray everywhere else works best for me, deet helps keep the tocks and mosquitoes away but doesnt seem to phase the chiggers. Troed picardin and they stay away
..Step ONE : Treat your hiking clothing with Permethrin before you trip .. each treatment good for 4-6 washes ..
TWO : Use a topical spray ,, ie,; Picaridin ,, commercial sprays with deet ,, Skin-so-soft lotion ,, or the preferred bug dope..
if theres lots of bugs enter your tent by opening the bottom half of the doot and sliding in on oyour stomach, sliding through doesnt let many bugs in.
Thanks for sharing your "duck tape' trick ... I'm going to give it a try next time I go backpacking ...
I would steer away from prallethrin not only because of the reasons you mentioned, but especially because it is very effective in killing insects, reptiles and fish. Thermacell or whatever dissipating it all over will affect things that don't care about you at all. Not sure about you, but I want to be as invasive as possible, so there is still something to enjoy for the future generations too.
do you mean permithrin?
Had to pause this video to spray my area with lemon, eucalyptus oil spray. I use the Cutter brand.
Very important thing with Permethrin is that's toxic for water life and cats, and it's deadly for insects.
It's not repelent, it is pesticide. Safe for humans and dogs etc. but cats had mutation in metabolic pathway so permethrin is toxic for them, but other Pyrethroids can be safe like Pyrethrum.
Many good points thanks. I would not recommend an Amazon jungle expedition for you. Like some of the old sayings " embrace the suck " in the jungle "Embrace the bugs"
haha, I was in the Amazon this spring. But yeah I like the desert, no hardly any bugs!
@@BackpackingTV I lived there for about 5 years in the jungle yes the bugs , Giant Spiders And don't forget The king size anaconda. In time I got us to Itching! 😁😂😁 love your work! 🤗🤗
Really good video.
Best tip: extra protein on the trip 👌🏻
The therma cell is good. I use the backpacker one
Sawyer Permethrin
spray it on your gaiters pants long sleeved shirts and hat
Picardin on your neck hands and ears
Headnet and thin gloves
And that is that
Good for ticks, midges and mosquitoes
If you spray your clothes with Permethrin, be careful around the cats.
On my most recent camp, I was subjected to a slug attack. Both tent porches had them and several were climbing up the tent inner. There must have been at least 20 of them. I’ve never had anything like that before. Do you have any idea what may have caused this?.
Idk for certain, but i think slugs are essentially the same as snails. As a wicked child, i (and my wicked childhood friends) enjoyed sprinkling table salt on snails and watching them foam and writh. They had a really foamy reaction.
Pretty cool, we thoughh. Wickedly.
So maybe a salt-line perimeter would keep the buggers out of your tent.
That was great .
I'm 1 of the lucky 1's. If there is ANYONE else near by, the bugs attack them... So I just need to find another person to be protected... Or DEET if I'm alone!
There’s a deet free product called PiActive it’s sold at bass pro in Canada
What about mosquito coils? Do they work>
Probably one of the issues I am most concerned about.
What is the tent(brand & model) in this video?
Looks nice
Seems the Marmot Tungsten 2P
some years in northern ontario are very noticeably worse than others for bugs. I remember one summer when I was a kid I went to my friends cottage and the mosquitoes were so bad when you shined a light outside at night they'd almost block the light out. You could probably kill about 100 of them with one swing of a frying pan. Bug spray was useless. We'd cover head to toe and duct tape our sleeves and pant legs shut, wear gloves and bug nets and they'd still manage to get you all over. Only thing that ever kept them (temporarily) at bay was to build a BIG fire and start tossing on big pine tree boughs and huge green ferns and leaves, basically just fumigating the entire area. Oh and that's not even mentioning the flesh craving horse flies. Those little fuckers are their own special brand of evil.
Wear a net over your head and wear long pants even if they get into the tent theyll judt be flying around thry won't bite you
Some of this might not be good for someone but drinking from 40 to 60 grams of sugar in a soft drink is??? lol.
Will citronella attract black bears and raccoons?
Definitely not A+ dude and the amount mosquitos piss me off that pisses me off u say thats A+. I am a wild garlic picker and I think the only possible way is to wear a bee keepers suit.
I was a detailer at an autobody repair shop for 3 years and I used to apply 34% DEET to hazy/old headlamps to renew them. So yes, I would imagine DEET would destroy your gear because if it can basically remove a layer off of a hard plastic, it will deteriorate soft plastics.
I always use picaridin and permethrin. That combo keeps ticks and mosquitoes away really well for me(plus Picaridin doesn’t stink like deet).
As far as gnats however, I haven’t found anything that keeps them from dive-bombing my eyes(I even tried swim goggles because I hate wearing a headnet, but the goggles fogged up too much). I’ve tried deet, Picaridin, NoNatz and Natrapel, but the gnats seem attracted to all of them. I’ve resorted to just smashing them against my forehead now
Plain original toothpaste.... NOT mint it’ll burn.... but small amount rubbed on the goggles, let dry then buff it off... literally better than any anti-fog you can buy. (Old diver’s secret) 👍
Love the tape trick! Thanks for that, Eric!
FYI, if you're in bear country, citronella candles need to be put away just like all other smellables. We left a couple of them out one night by accident, and sure enough, a bear ate them.
Have any recommendations for non sented bug sprays, or protection in bear country?
@@beginneroilpaint4064 thankfully, other than the candles, no issues with sprays or permethrin when it comes to bears. Just doing a quick cursory search right now, it looks like bears are especially attracted to citronella, so that's good to know!
I have a video going in-depth about insect repellents, but my favorite is Repel Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. You can also treat your gear with permethrin (lasts about 6 weeks, and I have another video on this), use a head net, wear loose clothing (mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing), wear muted tones... There are several ways to help protect yourself. :) I hope that helps!
@@WanderingSwitchback thank you!
Mosquitoes are a universal pest. They seem to be becoming immune to products that previously kept them at bay.
The geographic range of mosquitoes and other pest insects is also shifting, and in some cases increasing, due to climate change.
I've found that Picaridin is actually more effective than Deet for me, especially in lotion form - bonus is that the lotion doesn't have that slimy feel at all, no smell, and is very durable, usually lasts at least 12 hours.
That duct tape hack is genius!! Thank you for sharing!
I’ve lived in the Philippines for a year and half and the bug’s here are on another level, the ants are absolutely everywhere and the mosquitoes are tiny but deliver the same effects, it’s hard to even see them and they are sneaky, I use coconut vinegar on mosquito bites and it works great removing itchy swelling in minutes, I’m sure plane white vinegar will have the same effect 👍😁
I did 2 separate trips to PI for jungle training with the Marines and the mosquitoes we encountered were ravenous A-10 type. And we had to camp without mosquito nets. We were covered with bites and had to take malaria shots but a couple of guys got it anyway. Beautiful place otherwise.
@@gregoryfoster8179 you know first hand , imagine what our soldiers went through during WW2 not to mention the enemy.
I’m in Florida. Extreme bugs. On the first Eve of every trip I get covered in camp fire smoke. Then apply Deet to the areas that are worst (ankles, neck, etc). From there, I’m pretty good for 2-3 days. I often worry about Deet getting on my clothes and sleeping bag.
That Duck tape trip is amazing. Ty.
Deet is so bad for you though
My GF brought some huge (about two foot long) incense sticks with bug repellent built-in. They burned for a long time and worked great. We set up two or 3 around camp every night. I can’t remember the brand name, sorry.
I use Sawyers Permethrin on all my clothing and camping gera. It will not hurt material like the nylon eating DEET will. Sawyers Picaridin on the skin to complete the double trouble for the bugs. In my 77 years I have found that combination is the best the world has to offer and beats everything else by a mile. Wish it would of been available about 60 years ago.
I was not expecting that laundary comment. Amazing.
Irish Springs soap
Thank you so much for sharing this information. Newbies at RV full time and the bugs are wild; literally lol
I personally find picaridin more effective than DEET. The permethrin/picaridin combination keeps me pretty well unmolested. I do carry a (permethrin treated) bug net and lightweight glove liners for the few times it gets truly brutal out there…
From what I’ve seen, should I treat all my exterior clothes and gear with permethrin, and then apply a picaridin lotion before starting my hike? I’m hoping that keeps most things off me.
@@Matt-ft7zr That is a good plan. It’s what I do, and I haven’t had a tick on me (except when I’m NOT hiking!) in years.
Three of us went camping in a tick area where we had to cross portages. Two of us got ticks because we were fully clothed. One of us didn’t get a single one because he was wearing no clothing but marine shorts. This experience Goes against the myths of clothing.😢
Why not just use your red light function to quickly enter/exit the tent.
I greatly dislike intros.
Skip the intro then my man!😂
In Minnesota the mosquito is the State Bird. Great video 😊
Very informative, with lots of good tips, thanks.
My favorite bug control is rain clothes. I have to say that I hike mostly in cold regions so sweat is not an issue.
Thermacell is bulky and you need to buy the gas for it, which makes it expensive in use. Definitely a no-go for me.
I am used to use DEET on my bicycle tours. Coming back from Northcape end June 2022, I was eaten up from the mosquitoes despite DEET and wearing a net in the evenings. In Finland, I was recommended a product with 20% icaridin, to which I had to add some pitch oil. That seemed to work very well for the next two weeks, until I was way down in Sweden where there were much less mosquitoes. Lesson learned: for my future bicycle tours I will always carry my icaridine/pitch oil mixture.
Another note: the candles are useless. Maybe they keep the mosquitoes away from you in a closed space, but definitely are of no use when camping outside.
I watch these videos while eating lunch or something and find the content pretty humorous most the time. I have come to the conclusion that most people have no common sense or problem solving ability. Don't leave the tent door unzipped?
Coconut oil repels mosquitos
so does wood ash.
sulfur repels ticks
Diatomaceous earth mixed with salt will repels bugs on ground.
I don’t bring many comfort items on a long backpack so I can keep a low weight. But I have figured out what I will bring to have a good experience.
But this, I bring everywhere. Stansport 2 in 1 Lantern Bug Zapper, Green
If the bugs won’t fly to it it’s fun to bring it to them
Up in Ontario Canada I use a portable Thermacell MR300, bug spray and a head net if it gets real bad.
Any advice that uses chemicals is not my first choice.
This is BackpackingBS. Learn what our ancestors lived.
I just use baby lotion. Work on the JMT
I use Badger’s Anti-Bug balm/ointment or spray or picardine lotion.
smoke...tons of smoke. bugs dont like it...make a smoky fire.
To Deet, or Not to Deet. That is the Question.
Have you noticed specific colors that attract mosquitos and flying insects? I went camping with a girlfriend who was wearing a white sweater, and I swear mosquitos flocked to her. She had to change to a different top.
I noticed insects love light blue. I think it has to do with flower colors.
White. Several flying insects are attracted to white.
Wait, why would you be swatting the bugs if you're wearing a whole face mask and suit? lol you could just sit there 😂 i know, it was for the shot, but that was funny
What time zone are you in? Is it Christmas time there?
I'm from Saskatchewan yup we got 2 season s up here cold or bugs !
I'm not a great hiker, but I am certainly not a rookie. In Canada where I go hiking, is pure badlands, and extremely rugged to put it mildly. Thank you for the great videos Dude! I'm always trying to learn new techniques, and, or just learning the proper way to do things. Thank you again Dude. With love, and respect. Wes Sept
I am a chigger magnet and living in National Forest for 28 years here’s my take on bug protection. Orange can of Off for spraying on body and rubbing in. Green can for clothes now both only fool the bug into thinking your something not to eat I want the bug to die if it gets on me I want it to shrivel up it’s head to fall off and die. Now I take Real Kill, Raid, Ant and roach killer and spray on my boots and pant legs and this has helped the most.
A smokey camp fire helps.
I absolutely hate TICKS. I read that permethrin is not a repellent. It actually kills ticks that crawl onto permethrin treated fabric. It’s going on my shoes, socks, pants, shirts, tent. Not sure, maybe even my sleeping bag.
Thank you, I always enjoy your videos! My bug head net doesn’t even register a weight on my scale and it has saved my sanity more than once, haha. I’m trying permethrin this year. Happy trails!
(P)Icaridin
Picaridin is not off a pepper plant. It has the chemical structure of a pepper plant. The chemical is synthetic so its not naturally grown.
What?! No mention of the other “big” ones even though one is even in the title?! Ticks are a huge thing for both hiker and your dog. And I’d suggest also leeches in a lot of areas too.
Do not apply bug spray on your forehead. It will drip into your eyes when you start to sweat. The same thing for sunscreen.
You could always use the Dan Becker bug repellent way. Pull out your tiny air pump and blow them away! Jk
Please make mention with regards to permethren treatment: Toxic to cats
Michigan mosquitos eat citronella for breakfast.
Where we live its best to avoid sprays with scent that may attract bears.
can anyone help me with some top tips to deter spiders from me and my tent . thankyou
Important topic…thanks 🙂🙏
First
Nice tips, also fun to watch!
excellent info!
Take vitamin B-12 and put dryer sheets around your camp
Yes, B12 then they won't bite you. Give to dogs, they won't get flees.
Thank you 😊
Shouldn't you drop a video like this in the spring?
It is spring. Your just in the wrong country atm
Hey Eric, where’d you get your hat?
It's the Cotopaxi 5 panel hat. I love it!