outdoor exercise and mosquitos

becktoriatralala
becktoriatralala Posts: 106 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone use a really good insect repellent that doesn't make them feel slimy when they exercise outside? Sweat is gonna happen, but I'd rather not be eaten alive by bugs. I am covered in bites after my walk/jog tonight...

Replies

  • michelle34152
    michelle34152 Posts: 17 Member
    I saw a "dry" spray the other day - might be worth a try. I generally hike in ratty clothes so I sometimes spray my clothes instead of my body - seems to work pretty well for me.
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Deep Woods Off is the most effective product I have been able to find. I experimented while I was stationed at a power plant on the Okeefenokee Swamp, and the Off was the only one to keep me from getting eaten alive on a daily basis.
  • celtbell3
    celtbell3 Posts: 738 Member
    That stuff makes me break out. I'm serious in the outdoors - love it. I bike and hike ALOT and the bugs tend to leave me alone.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    I avoid that trouble by working out in the morning (usually)... but man! I could use some good repellant so I can enjoy a beer in my lounger at the end of the day :laugh: ... got 4 new bites on my backside just tonight. Why do they bite through my chair?!!?!?! :sad:
  • granitendirt
    granitendirt Posts: 76
    I worked as a timber cruiser for a summer and was in the forest all day, every day. There was a lemon-eucalyptus mosquito repellent that I was very skeptical of buying, but worked pretty well. It didn't work as well as DEET, but I'd use it on the lighter-bug days when I could.

    Applying the former spray was alright, but applying DEET always made me feel like I was poisoning myself.

    I'm pretty allergic to mosquito bites, and I've found that popping a Benadryl after an onslaught works wonders.
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    Ok, I'm skeptical of the validity of this but I thought I'd put it out there. I heard that if you drink two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar a day, that after two weeks, the mosquitos will leave you alone. I haven't tried it and I'm guessing it's probably an old wives tale. Try at your own risk.
  • marvybells
    marvybells Posts: 1,984 Member
    mosquitos LOOOVE me. it seems that i get bit up all the time no matter what i have on. even using Deep woods off, although it is by far the best stuff i've ever used. if i want to sit on the porch, weed, garden or do anything that leaves me a sitting duck i use the deep woods off.

    but i also bought citronella plant to keep mosquitoes away. It works pretty well if you rub the oil from the leaves on you. even if skeeters love you like they do me, that might be sufficient if you are going to be moving around. catnip plant leaves work as well, but it is bit more of a pungent smell so i prefer the citronella.
  • TruckersWifeTruckersLife
    TruckersWifeTruckersLife Posts: 408 Member
    there is a home made remedy u can make urself let me find out the ingredients and get bak to u with it
  • TruckersWifeTruckersLife
    TruckersWifeTruckersLife Posts: 408 Member
    HOME MADE INSECT REPELLENT

    It is tricky to get the right concentration of essential oils for a natural insect repellent. In general, less is best.

    My dogs can tolerate only the smallest amount of essential oils (I use rose geranium) on their collars each week – just one drop – but it's enough to repel ticks. To find the dosage necessary to repel insects, start with a drop or two in your mixtures, and increase the amount as you find you can tolerate (no more than 10-15 drops per ounce of oil). Combining repellent essential oils and/or herbs with a fruit- or nut-oil carrier is a good technique when you want to dab a bit on your skin.

    Read more: Best Natural Insect Repellents and Homemade Herbal Bug Sprays - The Daily Green
    Follow us: @the_daily_green on Twitter | thedailygreen on Facebook
    Visit us at TheDailyGreen.com
  • missmegan831
    missmegan831 Posts: 824 Member
    I buy peppermint oil at the natural foods section and put 1/4 cup in a spray bottle with 1/2 cup vinegar and rest water, mist all over and never have a single bite. I grew up in Maine and my grandma used it all the time on us as kids, smells great, the peppermint oil masks the vinegar.. and it doesnt stain clothes, make you greasy and 100% safe for kids
  • FATJAKE5
    FATJAKE5 Posts: 162
    Permethrin
  • DCruz83
    DCruz83 Posts: 99
    If the weather still allows it, wear pants and long sleeves. Cheaper and easier, will make you sweat more, yes, but unless you're not hydrated enough, it shouldn't be too bad... one thing I somewhat randomly discovered a couple of weeks ago is that while you wear water resistant clothing, you can be sweating but mosquitos will hardly notice you. I unzipped my coat and mosquitos were all over me. Also could exercise during the day, takes care of the problem too. Otherwise, what I use is Off Deep Woods for Sportsmen when I need it... I find sunscreen way worse in terms of sensation when sweating anyway!
  • becktoriatralala
    becktoriatralala Posts: 106 Member
    Thanks for all the great ideas! Looks like I have lots to try out. (: Happy sweaty, buggy summer everyone!
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    Might I also suggest Skin so Soft by Avon. Not only does it keep bugs off of you but it will also take those pesky tar spots off your car too! Just a trick my mom passed down.

    It also kept mites off my potbelly pig when I was in high school.
  • connectingkimmy
    connectingkimmy Posts: 2 Member
    Eat garlic! I was skeptical, but it really does work! I've been eaten alive my whole life, and when I starting eating garlic in some form like once a day, they really have stayed away from me (for the most part)

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