OK, I know what we have used in the past. I've also had my head spin from trying to read multiple threads using the search function.

I remember Saeed posting something about a witches brew he and Walter make up ahead of time by mixing, I think, three different products but couldn't find that in the search.

The "active ingredient" list, that's available out there in differing products seem to be.

DEET - good for Mosquitos

Permethrin - Good for ticks (apply to clothes only)

Avon skin so soft - Many types but it seems the one with Picaridin is best (There are types with SPF but none with that and Picaridin).


So that said I would venture to say Avon with Picardin, plus a dash of DEET, and Permethrin on your clothes should be about as good as you can do.

Then use SPF protection separately.

The area of Mozambique we will be hunting in has issues with Tsetse, Mosquitos with Chikungunya & Malaria, and of course ticks.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Jim

If you can find something that keeps Tsetse flies from biting, bottle it and make millions.



Anything short of chainmail and you will be disappointed.

skin so soft, would not leave home without it.
Used it many many times always works
nothing is 100% but I would say it's 98%

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Opus1:
If you can find something that keeps Tsetse flies from biting, bottle it and make millions.

That is a fact.
Mozambique tsetse flies are unbelievable.

quote:

Originally posted by jeff h:
skin so soft,

Which one. There's about a dozen choices

I have had very good luck soaking my clothes in 0.5% permethrin before traveling.
The half percent spray is expensive to buy, so what I do is buy this:
http://www.amazon.com/Permethr...&keywords=permethrin
This product is meant to be diluted and sprayed as an outdoor termiticide.

I mix it up to make a 0.5% solution in a Rubbermaid, soak my clothes, and dry them outside. There is a slight residual odor, so you can wash them if it bothers you. Since the half percent spray is supposed to be stable enough for several washings, I figure that's OK.
Soak your hat, as well. It seems to work on mozzies, and I think it repels tsetses to some extent as well. I don't think anything keeps mopane flies away, but at least they don't bite.

Jim, Joyce

I used the Skin So Soft with Picardin and the sunscreen with bug guard. As long as you cover every exposed spot you should make it a few hours before it wears off. Watch sunscreen around your sunglasses it eats the nose pieces.

There were days that the guys burned two cans of elephant dung and every two hours I would spray everybody on the truck. Testes were thick. Some days and in some areas nothing. A Camo turkey shirt worked for a while.

Never an issue in the blind or in camp. Did not see any mosquitos but you will be there in April so that may be different.

They should be able to put you within 25-40 yards of the bait. Dont forget extra batteries for the video camera and the correct charging cord. I left mine and regretted not being able to film the Leopards on bait. They are very relaxed there.

John

quote:

Originally posted by TNJohn:
Jim, Joyce

I used the Skin So Soft with Picardin and the sunscreen with bug guard. As long as you cover every exposed spot you should make it a few hours before it wears off. Watch sunscreen around your sunglasses it eats the nose pieces.

There were days that the guys burned two cans of elephant dung and every two hours I would spray everybody on the truck. Testes were thick. Some days and in some areas nothing. A Camo turkey shirt worked for a while.

Never an issue in the blind or in camp. Did not see any mosquitos but you will be there in April so that may be different.

They should be able to put you within 25-40 yards of the bait. Dont forget extra batteries for the video camera and the correct charging cord. I left mine and regretted not being able to film the Leopards on bait. They are very relaxed there.

John

Thank you sir!!

You have to be careful mixing deet with sunscreen. Some people have reactions, some severe.

kerosene.
Chew on the cigar, don't light it!

If you think about what eats mosquitoes and flies - frogs and bats right?
So, catch a few, render the fat out of them and Voila, you got repellent, right?
Anyway, my 10 cents or so...

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
If you think about what eats mosquitoes and flies - frogs and bats right?
So, catch a few, render the fat out of them and Voila, you got repellent, right?
Anyway, my 10 cents or so...

Ebola

If you cook them, it'll cook Ebola right out of them
Just put a handkerchief over your mouth

quote:

Originally posted by TNJohn:
Jim, Joyce

I used the Skin So Soft with Picardin and the sunscreen with bug guard. As long as you cover every exposed spot you should make it a few hours before it wears off.

John

I used this and was very pleased how well it worked.

JIM:

And don't forget a few Cuban cigars in case you run into mopane bees!

Jim:
I carry 100% DEET and that works fine. If I lose it, rub diesel oil on your lower legs and that will also keep the ticks off.
Cal

I treat all my clothes with Permethrin, but it won't last a whole safari, so if anyone has a source for powdered permethrin, it would be welcome.

My travel doc has some good repellant that works for mozzies and is actually pretty good for tsetses. I take that.

Someone left some Skin so Soft in camp last year and I tried it. While it worked pretty well, it stunk to high heaven.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
... so if anyone has a source for powdered permethrin, it would be welcome. ...

If all else fails, there is always "flea" bay. See:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html...hrin+powder&_sacat=0

Jim, Sorry I kind of thought everyone knew about skin so soft with the bug repellent and spf 30.
I am always taking it to my PH's. They prefer the wipes, I take the bottles kills two birds with one stone sunscreen and bug repellent.
In the Kafue three ago, there were clouds of Tsetse fly's following us in the truck. I got bit maybe once for the one odd fly that goes up the pants leg. I finally gave some to the trackers but it did not help them as much as me.
I think soaking your cloths in permethrin would be an extra help as well.
Take 4 or 5 bottles you will have to share

I've used Avon SSS (and took some heat here on AR for promoting it too!), and like was said you get about an hour or two reprieve. It will, however: (1) remove the bluing from your rifle; (2) dissolve certain plastic (I had it in a Ziploc and it leaked, "melting" the plastic thermometer stored with it - note the suggestion to put any of this goo in a Ziploc when flying); and (3) be careful if you wear permeable contacts (I wear the 30-day lens and cannot tolerate event the PH wearing SSS).

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I treat all my clothes with Permethrin, but it won't last a whole safari, so if anyone has a source for powdered permethrin, it would be welcome.

Properly treated clothes should last dozens of washings.
Not sure why you don't think it will last for a few weeks on safari?

Powdered permethrin is available at any feed/seed store, county co-op, or Tractor Supply store.
It is used to dust cattle.

I will sprinkle it around the perimeter of my tent when camping.

DEET has been shown to be more effective than Avon SSS.

Also, the newer 3M preps are about 32% DEET are time released and good for 10-12 hours. This is what the .mil issues, or at least did.

Here is commercial version
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/po...al-Insect-Repellant/

Permethrin treated clothes and DEET repellents are current .mil recommendations now. Add bed nets as needed, anti-malarials, and the right vaccines and you are good to go.

Our own bug repellent, which does work on tse tse flies just as good as the AVON product, is made as follows.


1/3 each of 100% DEET, mosquito repellent - we use one available here called MOSSY DOSE - and 50 SPF sun cream.

For mosquitoes in the evening at camp we use just straight mosquito repellent.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Our own bug repellent, which does work on tse tse flies just as good as the AVON product, is made as follows.


1/3 each of 100% DEET, mosquito repellent - we use one available here called MOSSY DOSE - and 50 SPF sun cream.

For mosquitoes in the evening at camp we use just straight mosquito repellent.

What is the main ingredient in your mosquito repellent? If not mistaken, its DEET here in the U.S. is why I'm asking.

Bug Soother google it

REI has bug dope that is 99% Deet. Worked well for me and my PH.

Jim,

I've never hunted really early but I have to believe it will be damp and very buggy. I'd take all the precautions these guys have given you.

Mark

what has worked best for me was to wear dense cotton shirts etc. treated with pemethrin . 100% deet used sparingly because animals smell it too. avoid tee shirts etc. tetses don't seem to be able to penetrate a dense fabric, but things like tee shirt fabric gives them a good foothold and feast on you

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
what has worked best for me was to wear dense cotton shirts etc. treated with pemethrin . 100% deet used sparingly because animals smell it too. avoid tee shirts etc. tetses don't seem to be able to penetrate a dense fabric, but things like tee shirt fabric gives them a good foothold and feast on you

You were so bloody lucky!

The horrible tse tse flies we find where we hunt penetrate jeans with their proboscis!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
what has worked best for me was to wear dense cotton shirts etc. treated with pemethrin . 100% deet used sparingly because animals smell it too. avoid tee shirts etc. tetses don't seem to be able to penetrate a dense fabric, but things like tee shirt fabric gives them a good foothold and feast on you

You were so bloody lucky!

The horrible tse tse flies we find where we hunt penetrate jeans with their proboscis!

I usually wear 511 Tactical and it's quite heavy fabric. The Tsetse's in Zambia couldn't both through it but they sometimes find away in around it. Also If I get hot and take the 511's off and have under-armor on they have a feast.

Jim,

I made you a bottle of our home made bug repellent.

It will be interesting to see how you and Joyce find it.

Eat enough Garlic before you go and while you on Safari. It will even keep your Ph and trackers at bay

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Jim,

I made you a bottle of our home made bug repellent.

It will be interesting to see how you and Joyce find it.

Much appreciated Sir!!

On another note we received our firearms clearance confirmation today. That was the last loose end. All is set!!

Cheers
Jim & Joyce

Another vote for Avon SSS with the sunblock...the tsetse flies literally bounced off me, while the trackers were getting eaten alive. The crew was much happier, once I handed out multiple bottles. MY PH was astounded how well it worked. Because it was August, mosquitos weren't a problem.

For ticks, I also used permethrin on my clothes before I left the states, but also took along a small pump bottle with me, along with a set of ankle gaiters. Even though I wore long pants each day, I had the ankle gaiters on underneath. Every other night I would soak them with permethrin and let dry...then put them on in the morning. Not sure if it kept them from crawling up our legs, but in two weeks dad and I never had a tick on us....so I'd say so! Andy #3

Jim, Joyce

Do you know which Luwire camp you are hunting out Of?

John

quote:

Originally posted by TNJohn:
Jim, Joyce

Do you know which Luwire camp you are hunting out Of?

John

No I do not. We've left that up to Derek. Have you been there? if so I'd love to hear about it.

Cheers
Jim