Insect Repellent Options To Keep You Bite Free This Summer

That special time of year is on us again!

It’s that time when you go out to the lake or river and find that more than just fish are biting! If you want to know how to minimize this annoyance, then you want to know about the best insect repellent options available to you.

And that is exactly what we have for you here, a list of the items that will help you stay bite free—or at least as close to it as possible!

3M UltraThon With Sponge Applicator

This is a great, topical insect repellent option.

The key to it is the sponge applicator. It allows for a nice, even application of the product that will coat your skin nicely.

While it is topical and you can put it on thick, it doesn’t feel overly greasy like some others in the same class.

3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent With Sponge Applicator 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent With Sponge Applicator

Developed for the military and tested in the insect-infested jungles of Central America to be the most effective and longest-lasting repellent. Ultrathon is slower to evaporate making it effective long after other repellents have dissipated. Stay bite-free and more importantly disease-free by repelling mosquitoes that may carry West Nile Virus and ticks that may carry Lyme disease. Also repels biting flies, chiggers and gnats. Resists perspiration, rain and water splashes. Lotion has 34.34% DEET for continuous protection up to 12 hours. Convenient sponge applicator keeps hands clean. 1.5-oz tube.









Sawyer Duranon Insect Repellent Spray

For those of you looking for a great repellent in a spray as opposed to a manual applicator, look no further than Sawyer Duranon.

There are several advantages to this particular spray.

First, it is odorless when dry. For you hunters (and yes, even fisherman), this is vital.

Secondly, because it is a spray, you can treat all of your gear with this product. I give my waders and fly fishing vest a really good spray down before each trip, although that is probably overkill.

The best part is that this is extremely long lasting—up to six weeks. I still treat before most trips just to be on the safe side.

Sawyer Duranon Permethrin Insect Repellent Sawyer Duranon Permethrin Insect Repellent

Developed in cooperation with the U.S. military, government agencies, universities and others, this repellent offers superior protection from disease-carrying biting insects. The active ingredient is Permethrin, developed from a substance called pyrethrin found in certain flowers. Not only does this product repel insects, but it actually kills ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, mites and more than 100 other kinds of insects. Sawyer Duranon repellents are not for use on skin, but on your clothing, tents and other gear. A single application can last up to six weeks and will remain effective even if you wash the garment once a week. Permethrin is odorless when dry, and during the drying process it chemically bonds with the fibers of the treated garment, but will not stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or any of your outdoor gear.Available: 9-oz. aerosol can, 24-oz. spray.










 Thermacell Repellent

So let’s say you don’t like the idea of an applicator or a spray.

Besides being really picky (just kidding!), you do have a few good options. The best is from ThermaCELL.

It features a butane powered cartridge that heats up a repellent mat that will keep mosquitoes away within a 225 square foot area.

It’s full portable and works up to 12 hours. Be warned though—the manufacturer does not recommend the product for use in altitudes above 4,500 feet.

ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent - Olive Green - General Camping ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent – Olive Green – General Camping

Hands-free, silent, portable, and odorless protection against mosquitoes Great for hunting, fishing, barbecues, and many other outdoor activities Covers up to a 15′ diameter Also repels black flies, no-see-ums, and sand flies Cordless and portable – carry it with you New more ergonomic design – matte finish and quieter on/off button 50 times more of the same chemical repellents in mosquito coils DEET-free – uses allethrin US Army tested and approved Repel mosquitoes, black flies, no-see-ums, and sand flies while out enjoying the outdoors with the ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent system. Powered by a butane cartridge (included), this convenient unit heats a small mat containing the synthetic repellent allethrin to create an area of invisible, odorless protection. Containing 50 times more of the same chemical repellents found in mosquito coils, this unit gives you an area of protection that extends out to 15′ in diameter. Cordless and portable, the ThermaCell unit features a more ergonomically designed casing than previous models, with a narrower grip for easier use and quieter on/off button. Low glare matte finish. Lightweight 7.1 oz. with full butane cartridge. Unit protects up to four hours per mat (Heats mats up to 12 hours per butane cartridge). US Army tested and approved. Color: Olive Green. Manufacturer model : MR-GJ. Refill kit is sold separately and can be found through item search for item number 38-638-574-00 Hands-free, silent, portable, and odorless protection against mosquitoes Great for hunting, fishing, barbecues, and many other outdoor activities Covers up to a 15′ diameter Also repels black flies, no-see-ums, and sand flies Cordless and portabl






Mosquitoe Magnet

All right, time for the big guns!

This little baby sits in my back yard just off of my porch, and takes care of some serious mosquitoes for a good distance.

What it does is convert propane into carbon dioxide which attracts insects (especially mosquitoes) and and then vacuums them into a net.

If they are in a net, they aren’t on your arm biting the heck out of you! If you live in an area with a lot of flying, biting insects, I highly recommend this for your backyard, but it is also great for camping trips.

Mosquito Magnet Patriot Flying Insect Trap - General Camping Mosquito Magnet Patriot Flying Insect Trap – General Camping

Attracts and traps irritating flying insects over an area up to one acre Protects you, your family, and guests from mosquitoes, biting midges, black flies, No-See-Ums, and other flying insects Proven Counterflow Technology – releases attractive lure while vacuuming and trapping insects at the same timeSilent and odor free Can be run 24 hours a day Noticeable results in just 7-10 days Enjoy easy-to-use protection from mosquitoes and several other irritating bugs in your yard with the Mosquito Magnet Patriot Trap. Designed to protect up to an acre area, the Patriot Trap emits a plume that mimics large mammals to draw and trap mosquitoes, biting midges, black flies, No-See-Ums, and other flying insects. The Patriot uses proven Counterflow Technology to emit a precise and attractive combination of CO2, heat, and moisture that spreads out across your yard to attract biting insects to the unit, where they are vacuumed into a net to dehydrate and die within 24 hours. Designed to run silently and without odor 24 hours a day to deliver optimal results, the Patriot will deliver noticeable results in just 7-10 days. Easy to set up and get running, you just plug it in, push the button, and leave it! Comes with 50-foot low voltage cord (lawn clips included), manual, Octenol attractant for increased bug attraction, net, quick clear adapter, and CD-ROM. Uses 20 lb. propane tank (sold separately). The Replacement Net for the Patriot Trap is sold separately and can be found through an item search for item number 38-614-962-48 The protective cover for the Patriot Trap is sold separately and can be found through item search for item number 38-614-962-50 Mosquito Magnet Attractants can increase the catch rate up to 10 times. They are sold separately and can be found through item search for item number 38-614-962-42 or 38-614-962-43 Attracts and traps irritating flying insects over an area up to one acre Protects you, your family, and guests from mosquitoes, biting midges, black flies, No-See-Ums, and other flying insects Proven Counterflow Technology – releases attractive lure






Stay Bite Free This Summer!

So there you have it!

These are our top recommendations for keeping the nasty, biting, creepy-crawlies at bay both on the water, and at the house.

Take our advice and don’t go out unprotected.

See ya on the water…