What I am after is a recommendation for which fly spray/repellant to use in Canada. It should be suitable for adults and children.

I am perhaps a bit concerned at the chemicals in the sprays and wondered whether anyone on the forums makes their own fly repellant out of natural ingredients and how successful do you find it?

Thanks!!

Well they say the best bug repellant should contain deet...but you will most likely find by the time you arrive there won't be that many bugs around. the spring is the worst time and since we have had quite abit of rain this spring, the mosquitoes are out big time. The black flys are almost gone as they don't hang around much longer than about 4 weeks. Then we just get the normal bees and wasps....but nothing to worry about. In the spring we wear a mesh bug jacket if we are spending any length of time out doors. I never use bug stuff cause I don't like.

Hi Corky.....how are you? Hope all is well.

I expect you get more bugs and flies near the lake?? I had heard about deet but I really hate the smell of the stuff we have here in the UK so reluctant to use chemical stuff unless absolutely necessary.

So is June the worst month then?

The spray must have DEET in it, 20 % or more. You can spray most of it on the outside of your clothing, and use it sparingly on your skin.

Deet is the best chemical one. If you want a non-chemical one try things with contronella in them . It's not as good as the chemical ones but it works reasonably well, especially the citronella burners that make the smoke which deters flying insects, good for burning around your campsite or on your deck etc and no chemecials.

You will find a lot more around lakes yes, so if say you were in say Toronto then you'd hardly notice anything but if you went camping for a weeknd north of the city up into georgean bay or muskoka etc then you'd notice a lot more. I've been up there camping and canoeing and boating and never used repelent and didn't have much of an issue. However I tend to always wear boots and long pants and tops etc. I'd think youd be more open if you were always in shorts and t shorts or bathing costumes etc.

they are worse early in the season and the times I have been camping in early to mid august they were nowhere near as bad.

Drew

Hairspray and a lit match keeps most bugs away - doesn't last long though.


bzzzzzzzzz.......whoosh..........kazap !!!

Forget the spray. Buy a few dozen baseball bats. Those suckers are so large you could hit a homer with one.

Rete

Hope this helps mate, a whole bunch to pick, all i can say, and pardon the pun, is "knock yer self out"


http://www.petvetsupply.com/horse-fl...nd-sprays.html

nothing worse than a pest buzzing around where it is not wanted, crush them and show no mercy, that is the method i use and have had much success with.

Maybee so,but dont you just love chasing the little f....?

I think a spray containing Deet is the best option, especially since West Nile Virus is becoming more prevelant!

Citronella is great for the garden, we have citronella oil burners in ours and they do a good job at keeping the mozzies at bay!

Int.

Nothing you have can be worse than the midges in the Highlands of Scotland....this is the time of year they eat you alive. When it's warm and humid like it is now (well, it's like that down here in Leeds) they are evil b******s.

Deet is supposed to be the best, but it is highly toxic, and I would not use it on children. Many people recommended Avon Skin-So-Soft, which contains an oil that the little ****ers can't bite through. I bought some and it has worked so far! It has a pleasant smell too.

http://shop.avon.com/avonshop/defaul...epartment=shop

Debbie

Deet is not "highly toxic", it is considered to be of "relatively low toxicity".

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states "products containing DEET are very safe when used according to the directions".

http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/deet.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/west..._repellent.htm

OK, I modify my statement from "highly" to "moderately" toxic. The New Scientist website agrees, saying that the US Environmental Protection Agency classifies DEET as moderately toxic.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991199

The incident data in the DEET re-registration eligibility decision by the EPA shows that DEET use is related to seizures in children.

http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/0002red.pdf (page 22 of the RED, page 34 of the PDF file.)
The most common base in spray insect repellants is DEET. When reading the directions on the spray bottles you should note that the manufacturers suggest that the spray not come in contact with human skin, eyes, nose or mouth! Harmful if swallowed! Using toxic pesticides is a personal decision that each person and family member must make based on warning labels that identify potential hazards based on the product being used.

http://www.ticktape.com/Page2m.htm

Ultimately it is everyone's individual choice whether to use toxic chemicals on themselves and their children. I was stating my personal belief that I would not use DEET on children unless in extreme circumstances, and certainly not on a regular basis.