Best insect repellant spray?

markyhud
markyhud Posts: 98
edited June 2012 in MTB general
Hi. I've used Jungle Formula for the past few years but for the past few rides I have been bitten to death and the smell of it makes me sick. Any recommendations for repellant (especially midgeys....little bliters!!!) I was at kielder a few weeks ago and the Purple Mountain shop was selling the spray that the locals and forestrey workers use. I had no money on me though.... :x I've heard that deet can ruin your clothes. Also heard some stuff from Avon is meant to be good and widely used ny walkers. Any thoughts?

Comments

  • miss notax
    miss notax Posts: 2,572
    Yeah, Avon Skin So Soft definitely keeps the bugs away. And makes you smell nice :D
    Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away....

    Riding a gorgeous ano orange Turner Burner!

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  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    Something with deet in for northern welsh ones is the only thing that works for me.
  • warpcow
    warpcow Posts: 1,448
    Depends on what you're trying to repel. Skin So Soft works alright for some things but does (less than) sweet-FA against a proper cloud of mosquitos.

    Stuff with deet is about the best. I've never had it damage/discolour my clothes, but it does smell like it's giving you lots of cancer.
    Commie Meta SL
    Evil Sovereign
    Santa Cruz Heckler (gone)
    On One Inbred (gone)
    Ragley Mmmbop (gone)
  • markyhud
    markyhud Posts: 98
    For UK conditions only......so at the risk of making a tool of myself....that would only be midgies right?? Does the Avon stuff work for midgies?
  • singleton
    singleton Posts: 2,523
    warpcow wrote:
    it does smell like it's giving you lots of cancer.

    What does that smell like??? :? :? :?
  • markyhud
    markyhud Posts: 98
    Singleton wrote:
    warpcow wrote:
    it does smell like it's giving you lots of cancer.

    What does that smell like??? :? :? :?
    Just nasty by the sound of it!! Can't smell any worse than the Jungle formula max stuff mixed in with some sweat. Enough to make you hurl :?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Mygg
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • markyhud
    markyhud Posts: 98
    Just looked on Avon site and they do not sell skin so soft as a repellant but as bath preparation. Other sites sell it as a repellant. Is it best to buy the proper stuff from Avon or stuff labelled as repellant from other sites? I'm a bit dubious
  • warpcow
    warpcow Posts: 1,448
    nicklouse wrote:
    Mygg

    This is the stuff I was referring to as smelling bad (the deet version, not the herbal one). I have noticed that there seems to a similar smelling perfume that's popular with middle-aged ladies, so my thinking it smells terrible is obviously subjective.
    Commie Meta SL
    Evil Sovereign
    Santa Cruz Heckler (gone)
    On One Inbred (gone)
    Ragley Mmmbop (gone)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    warpcow wrote:
    nicklouse wrote:
    Mygg

    This is the stuff I was referring to as smelling bad (the deet version, not the herbal one). I have noticed that there seems to a similar smelling perfume that's popular with middle-aged ladies, so my thinking it smells terrible is obviously subjective.
    it is fun when you go to pick it up after a few months of no use and it has all seperated out...
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • miss notax
    miss notax Posts: 2,572
    markyhud wrote:
    Just looked on Avon site and they do not sell skin so soft as a repellant but as bath preparation. Other sites sell it as a repellant. Is it best to buy the proper stuff from Avon or stuff labelled as repellant from other sites? I'm a bit dubious

    We just use the Skin So Soft moisturiser / body lotion stuff (from Avon). I know it sounds barmy but it really does work - haven't tested it with plagues of mossies, but for normal keeping-the-bugs-away duties it works :D
    Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away....

    Riding a gorgeous ano orange Turner Burner!

    Sponsor the CC2CC at http://www.justgiving.com/cc2cc
  • Greer_
    Greer_ Posts: 1,716
    I use deet at the moment, but it burns!! And it swells awful! I've never had it stain clothes though. I'm going to give the Avon skin so soft a go once this runs out.
    Orbea Alma Team Carbon - Strava -Specialized Allez Sport
  • DodgeT
    DodgeT Posts: 2,255
    Avon skin so soft spray here, brilliant stuff. Also use it when walking the fields round here - ponds and canals = lots of bugs.

    Proof in the pudding was yesterday, went out in the shorts and had not bothered putting any avon on as I was in a rush.
    So, off I trots, not 50 yds down the footpath and i'm batting little b4stards off my legs for the next mile. Got about 4 good bites to show for just a brief walk, whereas normally I don't have any.

    It's great stuff. I get it off the avon girl at work for less than £2 a bottle.

    Oh and it definately works for midges too.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    smidge
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 3,983
    DEET based stuff, does melt plastic watches though :shock:
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • Mccraque
    Mccraque Posts: 819
    Bushman 80% DEET stuff I bought at Ayres Rock.

    You have to spread it on with a sandiwch knife almost...but boy does it work.
  • warpcow
    warpcow Posts: 1,448
    nicklouse wrote:
    it is fun when you go to pick it up after a few months of no use and it has all seperated out...

    7308748608_93e0aa18e1.jpg
    Untitled by warpcow, on Flickr

    That's pure, concentrated insect-death in the bottom.
    Commie Meta SL
    Evil Sovereign
    Santa Cruz Heckler (gone)
    On One Inbred (gone)
    Ragley Mmmbop (gone)
  • MDobs
    MDobs Posts: 167
    Supposedly the army use the Avon stuff, although if army procurement is anything to go by it'll probably fail when you need it most :roll:
  • markyhud
    markyhud Posts: 98
    Wife and kids in hysterics. They have just come in from school and found me on the Avon site. :oops: Trying to explain about insect repelling properties in Avon products is not washing with a 10 year old!!
  • Clank
    Clank Posts: 2,323
    MDobs wrote:
    Supposedly the army use the Avon stuff, although if army procurement is anything to go by it'll probably fail when you need it most :roll:

    Don't know about the Forces, but every Scottish logger I've met swears by it. As do I.

    I know of Garages and village shops around Gleneagles, Galloway, Lockerbie, Ae and Ayr that all sell it.

    However, it doesn't work on horseflies and bigger bitey f*****s. But for Scottish midges, Avon Skin So Soft, Dry Body Mist be the king.
    How would I write my own epitaph? With a crayon - I'm not allowed anything I can sharpen to a sustainable point.

    Disclaimer: Opinions expressed herein are worth exactly what you paid for them.
  • delcol
    delcol Posts: 2,848
    personally i would avoid anything containing deet.. yep it melts plastic, and some say it can cause cancer.

    look for one containing citronella. they dont like citronella apparently. this is the best stuff we have come across contains no deet and actually works..
    it's what ewan mcgregor and charlie boorman used when they did long way down..
    www.bearbackbiking.com

    http://www.youtube.com/user/MrDelcol#play/uploads
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  • markyhud
    markyhud Posts: 98
    OK then. Now I've got repellant sorted whats the best stuff to use once you are bitten. Coz right now I could rip my arm off. :x Using Benadryl cream but it's not doing owt.
  • DodgeT
    DodgeT Posts: 2,255
    Just don't touch them. Accidently knocked the one on my leg earlier and I was scratching like a mangy dog :)
  • markyhud
    markyhud Posts: 98
    Mucho alcohol later.......can't feel a thing! Hic!!
  • delcol
    delcol Posts: 2,848
    antihisamine tabs worked a treat for me after i got tagged on saturday at my missus birthday bbq thingy..
    dont know what got me but foooooooking hell did it hurt i felt a big prick (for the first time in my life) looked down at my leg and had a fair big hole(for a bite/sting) in my leg pooring out with blood next day my leg was swollen and itchy as hell...

    this works and stops the itching and can reduce swelling the quicker you apply it the better.
    i heard these are suposed to be good although i am yet to use one my self..
    www.bearbackbiking.com

    http://www.youtube.com/user/MrDelcol#play/uploads
    hd vids
    http://www.youtube.com/user/topasassin#play/uploads
    http://www.vimeo.com/user2514116/videos
  • rebel_brown
    rebel_brown Posts: 126
    I use some Boots tropical strength spray, had no bites in the past few months after getting loads when not using anything.
    This is a bicycle.
  • billyballs
    billyballs Posts: 41
    went on holliday to mexico and skin so soft worked for us. also got a nice lipstick in red to match my bike. doh.
  • blablablacksheep
    blablablacksheep Posts: 1,377
    best repellant is the smell of true man, ie not showing for 2 days followed by running 10k then going out for the night and having some guy puke on your new trainers :lol:

    seriously no one would come near me,as well as insects.

    Or if you cannot bear doing that, use some lemon juice,
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