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Old 12-27-2019, 05:20 PM   #1
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Bug Repellent while cruising

I anchor out a fair amount when cruising and often find buggy anchorages. Wondering if anyone has a good technique for keeping the bugs away. I personally don't like to coat myself in bug repellent and was looking for something more like a citronella candle or another form of repellent to keep an upper deck area bug free for cocktail hour or grill time. Any thoughts?

Ted
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Old 12-27-2019, 05:26 PM   #2
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I've used a ThermaCELL with decent results. No smoke.

I'm "the guy" in any group that gets eaten by bugs. I'm fairly exothermic.
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Old 12-27-2019, 05:42 PM   #3
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On our East Coast trip this year there was only one night in NC where the mosquitoes were bad enough to hide inside the cabin and fire up the AC. It sounded like a beehive outside the screens. We hate bug spray. Even so we keep a can of Natrapel at the helm but have never needed it. Sorry, not much help but sympathize.
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Old 12-27-2019, 06:09 PM   #4
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Well 100% posted on bug spray. However, we use it if we are outside. One of the only one that actually works is "Bens." And yes we do use the 100% DEET.

https://bens30.com/

If not, then maybe one of the propane units????
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Old 12-27-2019, 06:26 PM   #5
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Quote:
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I've used a ThermaCELL with decent results. No smoke...
We’re a believer in ThermaCELL. Two summers ago in Maine we tested in a back creek. It worked for us.
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Old 12-28-2019, 06:58 AM   #6
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I like those coils that go inside the ceramic burners, wife likes Citronella candles. Yankee Candle also has some repelling candles that actually smell ok.
But you also need one or two of those tennis racket looking bug zappers. Those are amazing at clearing out an area quick. I use one to clear out the aft cabin at bedtime.
Also fantastic for spiders.
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Old 12-28-2019, 08:29 AM   #7
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Thermacell works for us in NC. Put it out 15 minutes ahead and it clears the area up to like 10-15 feet.
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Old 12-28-2019, 08:32 AM   #8
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Thermacell works for us in NC. Put it out 15 minutes ahead and it clears the area up to like 10-15 feet.
Another vote for ThermaCell. Works great in NY!
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Old 12-28-2019, 09:24 AM   #9
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I use a thermocell as well while hunting fishing or boating. They do work so long as it’s not too windy. My wife always buys a couple citronella potted plants in the spring an sets them around our seating area. They smell nice if nothing else.
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Old 12-28-2019, 11:06 AM   #10
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A cautionary tale of citronella in bear country...

I saw a documentary about someone who rescues and rehabilitates black bears. His method was pretty hands-on. Some bears recognized him years later as adults and would enthusiastically greet him when they met in the woods.

In one scene, a lady in the film crew who was holding the boom mic had put on citronella bug spray and an adult bear was rubbing all over her to get some of the scent onto itself.

After seeing this, I decided never to wear citronella bug spray in bear country!
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Old 12-28-2019, 12:47 PM   #11
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A cautionary tale of citronella in bear country...

I saw a documentary about someone who rescues and rehabilitates black bears. His method was pretty hands-on. Some bears recognized him years later as adults and would enthusiastically greet him when they met in the woods.

In one scene, a lady in the film crew who was holding the boom mic had put on citronella bug spray and an adult bear was rubbing all over her to get some of the scent onto itself.

After seeing this, I decided never to wear citronella bug spray in bear country!
WAIT! she lit a candle, what does that have to do with the bear rub.

Citronella candles. Is it just here or has anyone else noticed they do not work as well as they once did? Nugs land on the edge, then fly off unbothered.
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Old 12-28-2019, 01:03 PM   #12
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I like the ThermaCELL, even works outdoor with little wind.



But I'll take the repellent all over me anytime before I'll let them bite me... just shower before bed.


Now, what's a good spray to get them out of the cabin? I use an ordinary fly spray I get at Home Depot... fair. I like to run with all the doors and windows open and often the flies congregate inside.


Also, I'll use Permethrin. But the 30% stuff and mix it for spraying. It's excellent for bugs, no seeums misquetos, etc. Off the boat I use in in the yard all the time. Works very well, but need o dry to be pet friendly. Also, soak my clothes in it for bug repellent clothing, a lot cheaper than buying clothing already protected.
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Old 12-28-2019, 01:14 PM   #13
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Thermacell and skin so soft diluted about 50/50 with water.
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Old 12-28-2019, 03:05 PM   #14
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The OFF coil and the Thermacell both use Allethrin, a synthetic pyrethrin. Might be OK for an enclosed space but not for an open area.

I tend to use DEET for midgies, greenheads, mosquitos, deer flies, etc. If I am dealing with ticks or fleas I will use permethrin on my clothes.

My wife won't use DEET, she lathers on oil of lemon eucalyptus. She gets attacked by mosquitos.
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Old 12-28-2019, 03:22 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Soo-Valley View Post
WAIT! she lit a candle, what does that have to do with the bear rub.
As an example:

https://www.amazon.ca/Mosquitosh-Cit...S7Y26Z8Z43R2T3
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Old 12-28-2019, 04:03 PM   #16
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I have two large Citronella plants on my porch every summer. They really do the job for bug control. Sometimes I bring them inside for the winter, sometimes I just compost them, they grow very quickly. I don't have any plants on the boat, we are often away for a week or more at a time. Also we often run into some pretty decent waves on Lake Michigan and don't need the flying accessories.

Someone, I don't know who, must have used a bug spray, possible with Deet, on my flybridge. Just about ruined my MFD. Still readable but annoying. I hate Deet and refuse to use it but figure it must have been a guest. But use that poison with caution.

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Old 12-29-2019, 02:39 AM   #17
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In Yucatan, traditional repellant is to smudge copal sap which smells much like church incense. Same results via commercially available copal resin incense using charcoal disks made for hookahs. Does create a fair amount of smoke and is not for indoors. Works well.
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Old 12-29-2019, 07:29 AM   #18
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Thanks for the tip, ordering a thermacell as part of my wife's birthday gift. We get bugs at sunset in a couple of our favorite locations. Hopefully this will help
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Old 12-29-2019, 10:16 AM   #19
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Old 01-03-2020, 12:54 PM   #20
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Have you tried any of the synthetic pyrethrins (chrysanthemum juice)-lasts longer than natural I'm told? Its what those mosquito fogging companies use in yards on a monthly basis.

Bug guys told me to mix it up in a spray bottle of water, spritz around the exterior of wherever you don't want to be pestered. I did this ocean side on the back deck of our condo in Aruba with great results, but had to do it daily there. Just a light misting is all that was needed.

It didn't seem to stain anything and I didn't have to wear it. It dries up quickly on fabrics, wood, and plastics without a noticeable residue. I purchased from a Do-it-Yourself bug store.
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