There are a few ways to arm yourself so you can enjoy the trails itch-free. Everyone has a formula for success here - from drenching ourselves in bug spray to skipping sprays and simply smacking mosquitoes as we hike and not scratching any bites after until the itch finally quits.
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| Image - AZ Animals |
I'm a bit of a middle-roader here. Some chemicals, some clothes choices and a tried-and-true itch relieving gel. I'm a peace-of-mind kind of gal so prevention is high on my list of hiking comforts!
Here's the gear I rely on to keep me worry (and mosquito bite)-free.
First, the non-chemical..
Head net over my hat. Newer nets almost make you forget you have a fine mesh in front of your face. My go-to is a SeatoSummit bug net that is compact and can be carried in a pocket. With a cord at the bottom, it easily keeps bugs off you face and neck. It's a great non-chemical way to hike through clouds of skeeters.
Rynoskin long- sleeve shirts, pants and socks - I heard about these from a Canadian canoeist who did alot of spring canoe trips. You wear them under your clothes - the pants are more like light, long-undies. So no chemicals needed against your skin. They are very lightweight and have reinforced elbows and knees and have a tight band at wrists and ankles to prevent ticks and mosquitoes from getting toyour skin.
I rely on these during tick season and summer evening/early morning hikes when mosquitoes are at their most active. My Rynoskins are light and white so the shirt gives me protection from the sun - and I can skip sun screen on my arms (for the win)! While pricey, I haven't had ticks on my skin or mosquito bites through my shirt after three years of hiking with them.
Chemical Means to an End
Permethrin Spray -we spray clothes we use only for hiking. The soaking lasts for about 6 weeks or 6 washes. We re-spray again after that. We also wash these in separate loads from our regular wash. The spray is very effective at deterring ticks and dampening the enthusiasm of mosquitoes. I do appreciate that I wear the permethrin clothes over my Rynoskin so no chemicals next to my skin. You can also use the spray on your gear.
Bug Sprays - Bug sprays containing DEET or picaridin are my go-to. Picaridin is less smelly and oily but I find either effective. I always spray my boots pre-hike during tick season (March-Oct). When it's too hot for the Rynoskin shirt and long-undies, I use sprays on my arms and face and hat and tuck my socks into my pants and give them a spritz too. On the trail, I carry a small bottle of bug dope in case I manage to sweat it all off .
Here's the gear I rely on to keep me worry (and mosquito bite)-free.
First, the non-chemical..
Rynoskin long- sleeve shirts, pants and socks - I heard about these from a Canadian canoeist who did alot of spring canoe trips. You wear them under your clothes - the pants are more like light, long-undies. So no chemicals needed against your skin. They are very lightweight and have reinforced elbows and knees and have a tight band at wrists and ankles to prevent ticks and mosquitoes from getting toyour skin.
I rely on these during tick season and summer evening/early morning hikes when mosquitoes are at their most active. My Rynoskins are light and white so the shirt gives me protection from the sun - and I can skip sun screen on my arms (for the win)! While pricey, I haven't had ticks on my skin or mosquito bites through my shirt after three years of hiking with them.
Chemical Means to an End
Permethrin Spray -we spray clothes we use only for hiking. The soaking lasts for about 6 weeks or 6 washes. We re-spray again after that. We also wash these in separate loads from our regular wash. The spray is very effective at deterring ticks and dampening the enthusiasm of mosquitoes. I do appreciate that I wear the permethrin clothes over my Rynoskin so no chemicals next to my skin. You can also use the spray on your gear.
Bug Sprays - Bug sprays containing DEET or picaridin are my go-to. Picaridin is less smelly and oily but I find either effective. I always spray my boots pre-hike during tick season (March-Oct). When it's too hot for the Rynoskin shirt and long-undies, I use sprays on my arms and face and hat and tuck my socks into my pants and give them a spritz too. On the trail, I carry a small bottle of bug dope in case I manage to sweat it all off .
No matter your prep, bites happen. My absolute go-to is a product called After Bite gel. The small tube can be carried in pocket or pack. Applied immediately after a bite, it reduces swelling and itch (hurray!). I also find it relieves chigger bites when I am out in long grass or gardening. Total win!
While we have to live with biting and stinging insects on the trails, we don't have to suffer. Hope you find relief in some of these suggestions!
[Note: this post is updated from one published June 5, 2023 ]
Images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters
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