TL;DR: What do y'all use to keep mosquitos and deer flies away when you're on long, slow ascents or pitching camp? Would the Thermacell Portable Mosquito Repeller (product here) work?
I just finished a short tour though Maine. It was amazing, but it was a feeding frenzy at sunset in seaside campsites and on the long, slow ascents through the woods. The ascents were particularly terrible because a) deer fly bites suck, b) if I slowed down too much, the swarm would descended, and c) it's very hard not to slow down on punchy (if short) 10-12% climbs.
I ended up buying a bottle of Deep Woods Off with DEET, which worked OK, but I wasn't crazy about having to carry around a can off Off–or stopping in the middle of an ascent to spray myself with poison. Or to get it on my gear at night, for that matter.
So I'm curious to hear what y'all do. Thanks in advance!
by jschrifty_PGH
2 Comments
Thermacell only works when there is no wind to blow away the cloud of repellent.
You need DEET. Just be aware it will stain some(all?) synthetic fabrics.
Maine Deer flies will easily keep up with you even if you bike fast. Sigh.
The only solution is to use fabric that is thick/tight enough for them to not bite through, long sleeves, no shorts. Headnet for when you picnic.