Bug repellent

[Giggles]

I did a little research to see if this topic had a previous post. I'm sure it has but, I couldn't find it.  So here it is.  Any suggestions on a good bug repellent.  They seem to be getting bad already.  How good are the thermacells?

[h20hunter]

A lot of good reviews of thermacell. Not so good if you are on the move....better once sitting.

[JCKILLSHOT]

Best investment I've ever made. I don't hunt with out mine.

[sebek556]

thermacells take a little bit to get going, but once they do they work great. When you move they do not work as well, or when its really windy.

[Button Nubbs]

I've had great results on the move with thermacell

[RadSav]

I have not tried the Thermacell.  Guess I am old school or cheap, but I don't plan on spending my money on one either. 

I've tried just about all of the creams and sprays and most are worthless shortly after applying.  The old deet Muskol stuff was good, but so toxic the camo paint on your bow used to melt away under your grip.  Even the old plastic grip on my PSE Jet Flight had my hand and finger prints permanently melted into it because of that swill.  Naval Jelly had nothing on that stuff.

Up north the bugs are insane during July and August hunting seasons.  The best I have found under those conditions has been the wipes.  I prefer Ben's or Avon's Skin So Soft Bug Guard.  If bowfishing or hunting the open country in August Avon's Expedition Bug Guard has the added benefit of SPF 30 Sunscreen.  I've used all three with very good results. 

On occasion you find some big arse masochist SOB that seems to like the stuff.  For those guys nothing short of sucking them up and eating them will work.  I hate those guys!  Seems like I always eat just a few too many everytime I hunt up north.  After a couple of days you get used to the taste.

[JBR]

Put plainly, if I didn't have my Thermacell last year on my archery elk hunt, those *censored*s would have driven me absolutely bat sh!t crazy. Best investment I ever made. 100% Deet didn't touch them. Literal swarms would terrorize me at camp,while trying to eat, hang out at campfire etc. turned on my one Thermacell and within 5 mins I had a totally bug free camp. I'm buying 2 new ones for this year!

[Giggles]

Wall mart has them on sale for $20. 

[WapitiTalk1]

Thermacells are fine if you're sitting in a spot with no wind or thermals.  It's an airborne anti-bug deterant that doesn't work worth a darn when the ambient atmosphere is blowing the active ingredients all around.  Long sleeves, gloves, facenet (yep, I know... with the lousy WA early archery season.. it's very hot) is the only true bug deterrant for the voratious WA black gnats and mosquitos after a late snow melt.  For those evening hunts, when you're gonna set youself up downwind in the area you're hunting anyway, I always fall back on some good old fashioned deet product to keep me from going insane and blowing my hunt  I've got a few cans of Robinsons No Stinking Bugs that I use when the situation dictates... Rj

[jechicdr]

Another vote for Thermacell.  When moving or if wind blowing, the bugs aren't that bad, so doesn't really matter if it doesn't work well on the move.  I usually turn it off while moving to reduce fuel and pad usage anyway.  Of course that came back to bite me once (pun intended).  I was crossing a smaller, open clearing with a trail going through the middle.  As I hit the middle, I saw a flash of brown and immediately crouched down.  Flash of brown turned into elk walking just on other side of clearing just behind some trees.  The second I stopped, mosquitoes started taking aim.  Too close to the elk to turn the Thermacell on, too close to move to swat away a mosquito.  Well, truth is, I never got an open shot, but got lots of bites while I was waiting.

[wackum]

They work great, they dont seem to hold up to alot of use,but they do work and there cheap.

[bucklucky]

I use the Scent Shield earth scent No Stinking Bugs  and it works pretty well. Early season archery elk hunting can be very buggy with them no see um's. I lived with this stuff on last year , I had a few days I decided not to put it on and paid the price. The  Bonus is that you smell like dirt too 

[Button Nubbs]

No stinkin bugs is awesome stuff too

[windygorge]

i was in the woods last weekend and when i got back home i had to go get a blood transfusion cause them mosquitoes sucked me dry.  i will be buying me a couple thermocells since i have heard nothing but great about them.  not only that, but i will be wearing bug repellent as well.  its crazy how many mosquitoes are out.

[Sawbuck]

On Thermacells website they say that they don't work above 4500', have you guys found this to be true?