So... we're going into this with our eyes open, and we are well prepared!
As I said, we've dealt with them before. We took our kids on a two week tent camping trip to Newfoundland in July 1993 and the mosquitoes and black flies were terrible, but we survived! Then in June of 2008 in Prince Edward Island we tried to go for a walk one evening but the mosquitoes were so thick they had us literally running back to the motorhome!
Mosquitoes on the window screen.
And as recently as two summers ago, we spent the entire season here at the park battling them. You couldn't go outside without putting bug spray on.
Yes, we fully realize that they could be a problem as we get further north.
So we are prepared!
Bug fighting equipment!
There was a sale on some of this stuff when we were coming up through the U.S. last month.
We have bug jackets and pants. The jackets totally cover your head and face. They won't win any fashion awards, but I doubt the bears or the moose that we encounter on our hikes will care.
We have our trusted Thermacell for if we want to sit outside. Don't want to be stuck inside the motorhome all the time! The Thermacell has replaceable pads that give off a simulated natural insecticide that allows a 15 foot radius around it to be a bug free zone. We've used it quite a few times and it works well.
We also have a Thermacell Refill Pack that includes both the pads and the butane packs to keep us bug free for 48 hours of outdoor use.
Then, we have an indoor electric model that is similar to the Thermacell. We bought it in Mexico and we had used a similar one in South Africa that worked great. Unfortunately, I think they are not approved for sale in Canada or the United States, so we stocked up on the pads while we were in Mexico. You simply plug it into the wall in the bedroom and let it run for a half an hour before going to bed. It kills any mosquitoes who might have made it inside your RV!
And of course bug spray. We don't like having to put bug spray on, but it is better than getting eaten alive. We've got two cans of Deep Woods Off that is 25% deet and two cans of Repel Max that is 40% deet.
And, I will be going around Sherman and checking and plugging any little openings where they can get inside.
So, I think we know how to deal with any mosquitoes. Besides, it's unlawful to feed the wildlife, so we are going to try to avoid doing that!
I took mosquito netting to Alaska but never used it. Skin so Soft lotion by Avon was recommended so I used that...never got a bite so it must work. I've also used that OFF clip on gadget you hook to your jack, jeans, and it works too. While hiking in Montana, people were slapping away at mosquitos and I was perfectly fine with the clip on hooked to my hiking pole. I've also tried the bracelet to put on ankles and wrist...it works also. I used the bracelets in Mexico. I try to stay away from direct spray on repellent. My grandma use to carry a small bucket of herbal smoke to combat bugs and it worked...in remote area where repellents were not available. I guess the smell of smoke kept the bugs away.
ReplyDeleteSounds like they don't like you very much to begin with because I've (Kevin) never had any luck with anything but the spray stuff or netting. But then, they love me! The bracelets generally don't get very good reviews.
DeleteA good thing about living in the desert is very few insects. I've never seen a mosquito at my house, ever, and very few flies. Once in Big Bend we were invaded by tiny bugs that came right through the screens. They didn't bite, but I had to clean out all the light fixtures afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI live in Phoenix & occasionally we get mosquito alerts. They also put out warnings about standing water in back yards etc. Usually this happens during monsoon season.
DeleteGreat tips on the mosquitoes fighting strategy....learned a lot here. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe'll see how this goes! Hopefully we are over prepared and won't need all this stuff. We hate using stuff like this but we hate being bit by mosquitoes even more.
DeleteMosquitoes use a variety of cues to find their targets. CO2 plume at long range and then thermal vision. Everyone produces heat and CO2. But the final approach to that yummy exposed skin is guided a variety of volatile compounds in our sweat. There is a lot of individual variability in how we smell to different species of mosquitoes. In addition, your individual immune system will determine how we respond to a bite.
ReplyDeleteSome people are less attractive to mosquitoes, others don't respond painfully to their bites. Guess which ones consider a trip to the Yukon an attractive Summer vacation option?
Well they are very attracted to Kevin but even knowing that we still won't let this stop us from going up and exploring the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alaska. Hopefully it will be a good year for them up there and we won't even need all this stuff! ;-)
DeleteOut of curiosity I looked up why mosquitos are attracted to certain individuals. As Crick says above, it has to do with blood type...type 0 is mosquitos favorite, people who drink beer, if you sweat a lot & the older the sweat the better mosquitos like, if your body gives off a lot of CO2. They recommend repellent with DEET and also lemon eucalyptus repellent. Maybe Skin so Soft by Avon has a smell that mosquitos don't like but it was recommended to me an used it while in Alaska. I didn't get bites.
DeleteRita, Skin so Soft has never worked for us and maybe it worked for you because you are one of the lucky people that mosquitoes don't care much for to begin with.
DeleteIn addition to everything else you have, I highly recommend the zapping racquets. They look like tennis racquets but are battery-powered and great for skeeters. Also very fun to use! We have made extensive use of ours as we travel the US, especially if we get any skeeters inside the motorhome, which is most annoying. Best of luck battling the bugs!
ReplyDeleteWe have seen these before so maybe we will pick up one seeing that you think they work that well. Anything to help! :-)
DeleteJust reading this makes me itchy all over...
ReplyDeleteLol, us too. Plus I am sure I can hearing them buzzing around my ear all the time, especially at night! How can one simple little bug cause so much aggravation?
DeleteI have to try the thermacell!!! If you have any tick fighting tips I would love to hear them too please.
ReplyDeleteWe love the Thermacell! No, we have no tick fighting tips other than to check yourself over well when you come in from beginning outside in long grass or a forested area.
DeleteCould you post a pic or brand / information of the indoor electric model that is similar to the Thermacell that you bought in Mexico. I'd like to pick one up.
ReplyDeletethanks
Yep, it's in the picture above on the left hand side. It's made by Raid. The boxes are the refills, and the device itself is shown just below the boxes.
DeleteTypical of me! thanks so much
ReplyDelete