Since we are going into prime "bug" season, I thought an updated primer was in order on how to combat these critters. Many of us hunt hogs and javelinas straight through the summer

In Texas that means mosquito's, ticks, fleas, and chiggers.

As soon as it is warm enough for them to start attacking me I start spraying all my camo including face masks and gloves with a Permethrin/ Permanone products like REPEL, Sawyer's, and Coulston Duranon. One of these is usually sold at Wal-Mart, Cabela's, Bass Pro, and most good sporting goods stores. It kills all the above on contact and one treatment will last through a few washings. It works great. It has also gone from about $3 a can to about $6 can over the past three years. DO NOT APPLY IT TO YOUR SKIN.

"Permethrin is virtually non-toxic to humans and no systemic effects have been reported. Permethrin is applied to exterior clothing where it dries and bonds to the cloth fiber. This water-based formula is non-staining, odorless and has exceptional resistance to degradation by sunlight (UV), heat and water. It is only effective when used as a clothing treatment. When placed on clothing it will last 2 to 6 weeks (even up to 1 year with special application) and will even last through weekly launderings. With the long history of success permethrin has achieved, it is best not to second guess these extraordinary results. By following the directions provided on the product you can be assured of results that achieve protection at or near 100%. Any variation of instructions that indicate using less permethrin on clothing will result in diminished performance. Follow the direction exactly and you will be amazed at the performance of this product."

In addition to treating your clothing, you will also need a repellent spray for your exposed areas of skin. In the past I have used 100% unscented DEET products. Recently, Picaridin had been approved for use in the USA. It is safer than DEET and just as effective, if not more so. I stared using Cutter's version, Cutter Advanced Picaridin Insect Repellent, this year. It works great. Off, et al, have their own versions as well. DEET is still a viable option. Whatever you choose, make sure it is unscented!
Picaridin is a truly effective alternative to DEET that provides long lasting protection. Developed to be more pleasant to use, it is odorless, with a light, clean feel. Picaridin is scientifically formulated for everyone in the family. Avon has incorporated it into their Bug Guard Skin-So-Soft products (don't get plain SSS, get the "bug" products).

"Picaridin, also known around the world as KBR3023, or Bayrepel (trademark of Bayer AG) was developed by Bayer, who began its research for a new active ingredient in the 1980s. Bayer's long history of investigating, developing and producing repellents provided in-depth knowledge for creating an ideal insect repellent.

PICARIDIN has been used worldwide since 1998, and is one of the best selling active ingredients in Europe and Australia. It has been recommended by the World Health Organization as the best protection against Malaria."

Finally, if you are really wanting to roll out the "Big Gun", you can use ThermCell. A lot of the hunters use ThermaCell in Alaska and Canada, where skeeters can be the size of Texas Chihuahuas.

"ThermaCELL uses revolutionary, patented technology to dispense a small amount of repellent into the air over a long period of time. ThermaCELL is powered by a butane cartridge which provides the cordless, portable heat necessary to operate the device (batteries are not needed). It directs the heat to a metal grill. A mat saturated with Allethrin, a copy of a naturally occurring insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers, is placed on top of the metal grill. The heat generated by the butane cartridge vaporizes the repellent allowing it to rise into the air, creating a 15 x 15 ft (225 sq ft) "Mosquito-Free-Zone" in minutes. The repellent is very unpleasant to mosquitoes, but when used as directed, will not harm humans or pets."

I also carry a "Flea & Tick" spray. I spray down my hogs/javelina right away to kill the fleas and ticks on them.

Good & Comfortable Hunting,

Bob

Thanks for the info Bob!

I can attest to the effectiveness of the Thermacell. Must have half a dozen of 'em. Just wish the butane refills were cheaper and/or lasted longer.

Regards,
Scott

Great post, Bob! I am a firm believer in my Thermacell having spent a lot of time hunting in Florida. It'll save you a lot of aggravation. I too wish the refills were cheaper, but I guess that is the price we pay for keeping the blood-suckers away -- no pun intended.

The last sit I made this week was 7:30 to 9:00 PM and I had not one 'skeeter bother me--and I was in a soggy creek bottom!!

On the Thermacell refills--google it up and there are several articles on refilling them yourself. Seems rather straight-forward to me.


Here are two links to info about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKb4YX_6Iw4

http://archerytalk.com/vb/show...ht=thermacell+refill

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Originally posted by dustoffer:
The last sit I made this week was 7:30 to 9:00 PM and I had not one 'skeeter bother me--and I was in a soggy creek bottom!!

On the Thermacell refills--google it up and there are several articles on refilling them yourself. Seems rather straight-forward to me.


Here are two links to info about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKb4YX_6Iw4

http://archerytalk.com/vb/show...ht=thermacell+refill

Thanks!! I'll look into it.

I haven't looked myself, but have read reports of finding the butane refills in the hair care section of big box dept stores sold for use in cordless curling irons.

I usually hit several stores right after the end of hunting season and have found the three pack refills on sale for half price several times. When I do I generally stock up.

On my friends place last fall I had two units going and a curtain of mosquitoes hanging just outside of it. When the slight wind would shift they would attack. It was one of the worst times I have been out in the woods.

Mike--brings back bad memories of hunting the Aransas Wildlife Refuge in a special archery hunt. They literally ran me back to the car one morning they were so thick.

BTW, there is a $5 rebate coupon out there somewhere for Thermacell products too, but I didn't find it with a quick search.

Here's some more info on refill bottles

http://archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1222989

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They literally ran me back to the car one morning they were so thick.

I can relate to that. You know your supposed to sit still while in a bow stand, but mine was not a sitting still sort of evening. As the sun set the vampires came out in force and I left it too them during the prime hunting hour.

Chiggers (red bugs) are very common in the grass/weeds around ponds and wet areas where we might go fishing or boating without our full protective gear. If you do think you've been exposed to chiggers (red bugs) then a quick and easy cure is to wipe your legs, or where ever, with rubbing alcohol. If you pay attention and do this as soon as you feel the first sign of an itch it will shut them and the itch down completely, the longer you wait, the less effective it becomes as far as reducing itching. One could use your emergency snake medicine, but that's a low use for a high value product.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
Chiggers (red bugs) are very common in the grass/weeds around ponds and wet areas where we might go fishing or boating without our full protective gear. If you do think you've been exposed to chiggers (red bugs) then a quick and easy cure is to wipe your legs, or where ever, with rubbing alcohol. If you pay attention and do this as soon as you feel the first sign of an itch it will shut them and the itch down completely, the longer you wait, the less effective it becomes as far as reducing itching. One could use your emergency snake medicine, but that's a low use for a high value product.

I'll need to give that a try the next time I am exposed to chiggers. Thanks for the tip, Gato!

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In Texas that means mosquito's, ticks, fleas, and chiggers.

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Chiggers (red bugs) are very common

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If you do think you've been exposed to chiggers (red bugs)

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I'll need to give that a try the next time I am exposed to chiggers.

Guys, I hate to come across as a nagger, but the preferred nomenclature is "chegroes"