You become the prey when you step into the deer woods. Ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, and other bugs feed on your blood. These tiny vampires can cause serious trouble, and it’s worth the few minutes of prevention needed to protect yourself. The right sprays will last for weeks and not only repel biting insects but kill them.
Permethrin is King
DEET and permethrin are a one-two punch against biting bugs. DEET is a powerful chemical to fight against biting insects and bugs that is safe to be used on skin. Higher DEET percentages do not mean stronger protection; instead, they mean the spray lasts longer. For example, 10% DEET lasts about two hours, while 30% DEET lasts roughly six hours. Permethrin, on the other hand, kills ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes on contact through multiple wash cycles. Popular consumer brands include Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin and Insect Shield Permethrin Spray.
Tuck Your Trousers
How you dress matters too. Wearing shorts and loose-fitting pants is common in warm weather, yet both are an easy pathway to your skin. Tucking your pant legs into your socks is an easy fix, as most biting insects need direct access to your flesh to extract blood. Once back from the woods in warm weather, it’s a good idea to take a shower and give your body a good exam to remove any ticks that may have penetrated your defenses.
