OK, I know that they come with the territory, but I’d rather avoid being eaten alive by mosquitos and ticks. Any advice on good products to use during my upcoming section hike (James River to Rockfish Gap).
Spike
Bug repellent - Appalachian Trail
system
#2
Get OFF! A small can, spray your elbows and run.
We tried multiple things on our thru-hike; the skeeters and ticks were nasty in Conn. and Mass. Citronella was useless, unless you just wanted to cover your hiker funk smell. It’s not very effective for that either. 
We tried 3M Ultra cream. That worked pretty well, but then you have this cream stuff all over your hands and no good way to rinse it off. It was a bit sticky in humid weather too. We ended up using Deep Woods Off. We’d spray a bit on the elbows, backs of the knees and shoulders. That worked pretty well to keep the bugs at bay without having to resort to a 100% deet. And take one of those mosquito coils for the shelter!
B&B
system
#3
I am planning a section hike in MA and VT starting in mid August. What kind of bug problems will I encounter? Is it better to do this section later?
Jimbo
system
#4
From there, bittin by that. First of September would by tasty. Right when the colors start. Crowds on the trail shouldn’t be to bad and cool weather walking.
Bushwhack
system
#5
Don’t have to worry too much about ticks in VA. The skeeters are always bad. DEET is the only thing that works for me. Some people carry mosquito nets for their heads.
In MA and VT the f-ckin Deer Flies almost drove me insane! You kill one, have 5 minutes of peace, and then you’re in another’s territory. Arrgh. I don’t think bug spray helped at all with them. Do be cautious of Ticks. Check your body everynight as Lyme disease is only spread towards the end of feeding. If you start to get symptoms of a summer cold get medical help ASAP. Antibiotics will kill the disease if detected early. Grimace
Grimace
system
#6
Bugs seem to effect some more than others. The other night I tented in a back yard in Harper’s Ferry with Pace-O. I didn’t expect a bug problem there, but Pace-O got eaten alive, and this was in town.
Bugs seem to come out after a good soaking rain, and where there is a lot of wet ground. Maine is notorously bad, but only until early July. I didn’t have a problem with bugs in Maine in late July and August. I did have bugs in Connecticut and southern Mass and New York in late June. Glostenbury Mountain (VT) is always bad. This year, my worst encounter with bugs was at Bryant Ridge (VA).
For what it’s worth, I carry a small bottle of Ben’s, but don’t use it unless the bugs really drive me buggy.
Peaks