Recommended insect repellent?

"Off" is one major brand. The main thing you're looking for is DEET in the
ingredient list

--jim

"Grey Wolf" <phonyemail@phonyemail.com> wrote in message
news:vn5840pec29c3nc119nr2d7m11t94n0v29@...
> Is there any one easy-to-find brand of repellent that you'd recommend?

Grey Wolf <phonyemail@phonyemail.com> wrote in message news:<vn5840pec29c3nc119nr2d7m11t94n0v29@>. ..
> Is there any one easy-to-find brand of repellent that you'd recommend?
> We've decided to make at least one Mayan ruin visit on our W.Caribb
> cruise, and would like to properly defended!
>
> Thanks in advance,
> David (1 month still to go!)

Definitely try to find a repellent with DEET as the active ingredient.
Obviously, the hight the percentage of DEET, the more potent the
repellent. However, DEET can be toxic, so use it carefully, and not on
small children. I prefer to apply it to my clothing, rather than to my
skin. I find spraying some on a bandanna and then tying the bandanna
around my neck helps to keep the insects away from my head. I don't
react to DEET applied directly to my skin, I just prefer not to apply
a very potent chemical directly.

Also, start taking a B Complex vitamin supplement - that's supposed to
make you emit an unpleasant (to flying, biting insects) odor or taste.

Lee

Lee

Having cruised the eastern and western Caribbean many times, I've never had a
problem with insects.

I guess it could be a matter of the time of the year. I spent 8 days in Merida
(Yucatan) and surrounding area last Oct and never encountered an insect
problem. I don't travel during school vacations or during the summer.

In article <h2ia40517kvsgnq7ckggh9ih21ssi1tuqs@>, Grey Wolf
<phonyemail@phonyemail.com> wrote:

> So is there any favored style? Spray, lotion or other? We're trying
> to shop each week for items we'll need, so that's why I'm asking. I
> think lotion might be better than a spray for travelling in airplanes,
> but again that's my inexperience talking...

I have found that repellent with Deet works well. I take a spray with a
non-aerosol pump. The brand is Repel 100.

--
Charles

That's wise advice. I'm not wild about applying too many chemicals
right on my skin either!

Jeff


Lee wrote:
> However, DEET can be toxic, so use it carefully, and not on
> small children. I prefer to apply it to my clothing, rather than to my
> skin. I find spraying some on a bandanna and then tying the bandanna
> around my neck helps to keep the insects away from my head. I don't
> react to DEET applied directly to my skin, I just prefer not to apply
> a very potent chemical directly.
>

You haven't been on the beach on Roatan, have you?


"HDawson228" <hdawson228@> wrote in message
news:20040302093918.10026.00000750@mb-m17....
> Having cruised the eastern and western Caribbean many times, I've never
had a
> problem with insects.

Grey Wolf <phonyemail@phonyemail.com> wrote in message news:<f9ia405sgkjp3tp6bcuodgcmhqf4aqofj1@>. ..

> That's not a bad idea. We have decided to probably forgo the shorts
> and instead wear long pants. Hopefully we won't be too hot... but I
> think we'd rather be a little more protected. Or would shorts be
> better for jungle-trekking?

Not to sound like a sales person or anything, but your situation
sounds like an ideal one for convertible pants - ones with legs that
zip off, converting the pants into shorts. You can find them in a
multitude of fabrics -cottons, nylons, etc. They're incredibly
versatile - make a lot of sense when you're not sure of temperatures
and your comfort zone. The legs just zip right off and pull over your
footwear (except for the biggest of hiking boots) so no need to
disrobe to achieve the zip-off function. Stuff the legs into a belt
loop or backpack, and you're set to go.

As you can probably tell from my email, I work for a company called
Campmor. Don't want to give them (us) a blatant plug, but zip-off
convertible pants and insect repellent with varying percentages of
DEET are available at our website (just add .com)

> She says it's
> the B vitamins. So, based on that, I'd say you're probably right. I
> wonder if I have enough time (we're sailing away on 4/4/04) if I start
> taking them now?

I think you only need them in your bloodstream for a few days...so
plenty of time, if you start now. Taking a B complex is a good thing
to do anyway, with or without the bug repellent properties.

Lee