DEET - Is 30% good enough

imported
#1

Seems as though almost everyone on the PCT utilizes some form of skeeter juice. DEET seems to be the preferred choice. My question re: DEET is, what % of DEET is sufficient? Checking out my local gear provider I see everything from 15% DEET to 100% DEET solution.
I have read of at least several folks having problems with what they felt was DEET poisoning when using the 100% DEET, but that may simply be a lack of care in the use of the solution. So, how bout it? what are your recommendations on DEET %?

Jeff Singewald

#2

30 % isn’t anything. I use 99.5/99.9% in the woods, camping, fishing. However, I’ve seen people use DEET and leave it on while they hike in the sun and it makes your skin peel really bad. OFF and DEEP WOODS doesn’t do CRAP. However, you must firs start with a smaller percentage to see what your reaction is going to be. If you’re allergic to anything, be careful. I personally have never met anyone with DEET poisoning, only heard about it. Good luck.

StarLyte

#3

Jeff,
I have always read that 30% was the most optimum level of DEET - based on studies that show that 100% DEET is no more effective than sprays with 30%. Below 30% content, the effectiveness line tails off. So you could conclude that between those two percentages, you should pick a product based on price and convenience. I prefer Cutters as a brand and I have found the pocket sized spray and the “wax stick” both easy to apply and equally effective. One related point, don’t expect ANY amount of DEET to be effective against ticks - that requires Permanone and a different application strategy.
See you at Dot’s.
Bum

damascus bum

#4

I have heard that avon makes a product that works well and heard from a friend that using that product mixed with rubbing alcohol is used my some military personnel. Wondering what anyone thought about things not containing deet.

Danny

#5

I’ve used Lemon Eucalaptus and it works good but wears off after an hour or so. It is however all natural. It seems to keep the bugs at bay very well, but you’ve got to put it on every hour or so.

Avon Skin so Soft lotion is said to be very good, but I have not tried it.

Wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt and a bug head net. That will keep them all away from you. If you choose really light weight and loose fitting pants and shirt (and a light color too), then you should be able to hike in somewhat confort on a hot day.

Any product including Deet wears off after some time and must be re applied. I’d watch out putting Deet directly on your skin, it will be absorbed by the skin and result in some toxic effect although it might not be enough to be noticed—but the stronger the concentration and the more you apply it, the more it’s toxic effect on you will be.

See you out there. :cheers

Maintain

#6

Damascus Bum has it right on, 30% is all u need, unless you are looking for webbed feet. I used Ultrathon by 3M. It’s 30 % and i found it to last about 6-8 hours, advertised at 10-12.

My doctor told me before i went that the possible side effects of DEET are better for you than West Nile or any other possible illness. So don’t be scared.

Like Maintain says, best defense is long sleeve clothing and headnets. I used DEET first around lunch, when i was sitting. Then at camp at night i layered up and/or hid in my tent. I only evered applied once a day.

walk fast

Officer Taco

#7

The advantage of 100% DEET is that it’s lighter to carry. The disadvantages are that it’s harder to apply evenly, and it’s too easy to apply too much. It’s probably that old adage “More is Better” as a selling point. I find 30% to be an optimal concentration.
Avon Skin So Soft has a following. I have not found it to be effective. In order to be able to merchandize it as an ‘insect repellant’, Avon added citronella as an ingredient. It’s certainly better for the skin, but IMHO not effective against insects.

Harry Dolphin

#8

Not in Maine.

Cheers

Ross

#9

I use DEET, sometimes the spray 30% and sometimes the 99% stuff. We had a personal friend that went on a mission trip to Costa Rica. She was overly worried about tropical insects and way overdid the 99% DEET treatment directly on the skin. She had a reaction to it and died there from the DEET reaction; it does happen sometimes but that’s the only time I’ve ever heard of it…use common sense and go lightly with it the first time just in case.

RockyTrail

#10

If you have a worry about applying Deet to your skin, I find that spraying 100 percent Deet on the collar of your shirt (and in bad areas on a bandana on your head) sets up a vapor barrier around your head and face that keeps the bugs away. On a recent Connecticut AT hike we were very comfortable, while others were swatting away.

Ryyter

#11

I use 100% Deet when I hike into a place I know is going to be insect infested and have never had any toxic side effects. We have a natural fen here in the area where I live and it swarms with anything and everything with wings. It’s a great testing area for repellent products. If I use the 100% DEET I’m fine for about 1 hour in there. Haven’t tried the 30%, but I know the Skin-so-Soft Avon product and OFF Deep Woods Do NOT work. And as was said earlier - ALWAYS test your reaction to heavily concentrated DEET before you use it. Also, as Starlyte mentioned - watch exposing your treated skin with too much sun - you may get burned (I HAVE had that happen).

Peep

#12

What am I a math teacher to. 30% is 30% of something. That maybe you paid more because of supply and demand. I know what you saying. Its hard to find 100% DEET even with the net. So I bought 2 quarts of 100% DEET years ago.

And a doctor to, Keep DEET out of your eyes off your lips and way from children.

You should hear the excuses people use to quit the trail. DEET poison, maybe they took two spoonfulls in the morning:)

Greg