How to Stay Bug Free When Cowboy Camping, Using a Bivvy, Under a Tarp, in a Tent, Etc

This is it, the Ultimate Guide on staying Bug Free when you are in the outdoors;
Cowboy Camping, Using a Bivy, Under a Tarp, in a Tent, Etc;
This How-To video is one of the most important videos that I have ever made.
Stay Bug Free against Ticks, Mosquitoes, Spiders, and More!
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[@_Hound_]

I thought he was going to show some old-time cowboy tricks, then he pulled up a can of bug spray 🤣

[@consortthantos3402]

Here in Australia, I was taught by an Aboriginal friend how to survive outback. To keep insects away just grab a branch from a Eucalypt tree, crunching up all the leaves. The hit yourself all over with the branch. Nothing here will touch you.

[@dianelipson5420]

Mr. Aquillo? That. Works here in California too. But we don’t really get swarms of bugs outside of a forest.

[@chaoticgood3935]

Except maybe a Koala 😆

[@MrDeicide1]

Yes, cuz when all the bush animals see you hitting yerself with sticks, they'll leave u alone, cuz u obviously either have rabies or psychological problems...

[@consortthantos3402]

@@MrDeicide1 In Australia the only spray that works is Bushman. I saved a Cockatoo the other day.

[@MrDeicide1]

@@consortthantos3402 >__

[@kcjazz62]

As a journeyman lineman, walking through any terrain & working in such areas where flying/crawling insects are over abundant, we used Avon’s Skin so soft & D.E.E.T. To treat clothing & skin. However, a very ~Old School~ tried & true method is to place a thin cloth over an active ant hill & stir them up! Let the ants sting the invading cloth until the frenzy is over, then take the cloth & rub it on exposed skin. For some reason, the venom repels nearly every other insect for a day or two (depending on environment/conditions). Campfire smoke is also a good skin cleanser, as well as a good repellent. So, if you run out of spray, those are reliable go-to’s...

[@RobertsBulgaria]

It works best if you urinate on the cloth first and lay it on the ant's nest. They will attack your cloth scent and do their business on it. Later, rubbing that awful smelling content on your exposed skin will deter almost anything including humans.

[@cynicaloptimist4879]

What kind of ants?

[@RobertsBulgaria]

@@cynicaloptimist4879 The kind that gets really angry when you layout your urine damped shemag on their hill. Lars at the Survival Russia did a video on the procedure a couple of years back, you'll find it in his video list.

[@fredericksweet]

Found that hanging a small towel or rag treated with 100% deet works wonders in a confined area. I do that since I have a slight skin allergy to it.

[@1eyedjacksRwild]

Good idea I will have to try that.

[@douglasyoung927]

We always hang a strip of cloth covered in deet from the tents and tarps. It's not a perfect deterrent but it does help a lot. It can turn whole swarming clouds of mosquitos into just 3 or 4 mosquitos.

[@lbjay8914]

Thanks bro, will give this one a go. Surprised thats not a normal thing to hang at a tent or tarp entrance. must save alot of spray too

[@kermittate2183]

Idaho has swarms of mosquitos that can block out the sun, so when I started summer work as a Forest Service lookout, I soon found out that spraying my shirt, pants, hands, neck and face with 100% DEET was essential. The pointy little buggars avoided the knob my lookout was built on, but once I hiked a mile down to my water-point and was in heavy timber near moisture, here they came. The DEET deterred them from landing on me, even though several wings of heavy bombardment mosquitos would orbit me for about half the trip back uphill. . . until I reached the point where it was too dry and windy for their liking. They would fly back home, hurling curses at me all the way.

[@lisapirkkala9247]

You are so right!

[@samseven5260]

Bravo, brother from Idaho! You know the drill!

[@jman6951]

wow you should write books I love the way you describe things

[@claudiodominguez.]

Next best is a trained squadron of pet bats with a friendly compliment of dragonflies.

[@CandidZulu]

Where I live in Sweden, this time of the year, when you walk into a store you often feel the strong smell of bug replant from all the customers. I hate the mosquitos, some areas are impossible to visit in the summer for all the bugs.

[@cort3079]

The worst mosquito experience I ever had was in the hills of Kentucky during Army basic combat training. We were setting up an ambush in the sticks and Deep Woods Off was completely useless. I now use permethrin and Repel 100 (98% deet) and it's effective in any situation I am ever in.

[@southisaac]

I live in KY and can confirm this. LOL.

[@janosaideron7371]

Knox 2009… those chiggers get everywhere.

[@judge724]

Absolutely!! I use the same product! We've used both the Sawyer and Repel brands of Permethrin from the Walmart camping section. For a repellent I recommend ones with Picardin. It's synthetic black pepper extract, WAY more effective than DEET, safer than DEET, and no bad smell like DEET!!

[@geobloxmodels1186]

@1:30 If you come in contact with a caterpillar that causes a painful reaction, use some tape to remove the offending stingers.

[@MrJules2U]

The liquid DEET bottles issued in the Australian Army are great at repelling insects but it also melts the polymer components of the F88 Austeyr (there's a lot) and any other plastics gear... Strong stuff indeed.

[@azaradog1804]

We made rookie mistake when spraying our boots to repell leaches and the wind caught some of the spray onto the painted bumper of our car...ooops there went the shine off some of the duco!

[@kentuckyhiker7071]

Been using this stuff for years. Living in Kentucky, we have tons of ticks, chiggers, and all kinds of other crawlies. Used in conjunction with a good repellent, this stuff is great!! Thanks for sharing!

[@krenee2266]

Im I'm KY too, does this do anything to gnats? I have a horrific issue because of gardening.

[@kulled]

dude thats racist you have to say chigga

[@rogerrhodes2333]

I use Permethrin on my clothes and gear and Picaridin for skin as it lasts longer than DEET and does not harm synthetic materials

[@kjlee11]

GREAT SEGMENT!!! In California, we've noticed that Deet (between 25% up to 100%) is very effective in certain parts (So Cal mountains). But interestingly enough, up towards the Mammoth area we found that Picaridin (another Sawyer product) was more effective than any Deet product. So we've purchased a bunch of both, test and then apply whatever works the best.

[@cosmokenney]

I've switched to unscented picaridin due to being in bear country. And found that picaridin is actually quite good for mosquitos here in the sierras.

[@kjlee11]

@@cosmokenney Ah that's GREAT INFORMATION Ken! Duly noted! Thank You!

[@bettersteps]

Repel with Eucalyptus is the best mosquito repellent I have ever used. I watch the mosquito's fly up to my arm or leg and never get closer than a few inches. They don't land on me at all. I spray my skin and my cloths. Stuff works great. Plus, it smells good.

[@galootlovestools]

I live in deer tick central and treat my yard work and mountain biking clothing with permethrin, everything but the underwear. I started using picaridin based repellent (Sawyer) a few years ago after reading articles about its efficacy on ticks. So far, so good.

[@EQ_EnchantX]

I second the picaridin , it seems to work better than the deet and with less negatives like plastic damage.

[@dmo848]

Bug b gone. I've used it my whole life. Really great stuff

[@joeyt684]

Background: I got chronic Lymes from a tick 10 yrs ago and counting. Did my homework on repellents Anyway, I put a big tarp out, lay all my outdoor clothes and use a garden sprayer to do the whole bunch at once. Same w tents, tarps etc. If youre in a rush, you can dry them in a clothes dryer. General guideline for full effectiveness is "6 weeks or 6 washings". If it's a rolled/ folded tarp in a bag....lasts much longer. You can buy 10% concentrate by the quart / gallon from a farm/ livestock vendor and save a bunch of money. 1 quart 10% Permethrin ~ $20 @ Tractor supply. Just remember to dilute it down to 5% (20:1). Re: DEET vs. Picardin. DEET unquestionally is more effective in general. Too bad it melts plastic😔. Picardin is great for mosquitoes, not not great for ticks but no melted plastic. Natural repellents: kinda-sorta work if not too many bugs around. I wouldn't trust them to keep me safe. Permethrin binds tightly to the fibers in fabrics enough that it takes 6 rounds in a clothes washer to get it out. Sweat or drenched clothes are safe. Also interesting to note that there's an enzyme in your skin that deactivates/ detoxifies Permethrin. So even if some gets on you...still not a problem. Cats dont have this enzyme so they can become very ill if exposed..... especially to not yet cured permethrin on fabrics.

[@freetek23]

That was very helpful! Thank you for putting it together.

[@brimstone33]

Bought a gallon of concentrate from Amazon a few years ago. Use it to treat gear and clothing, also as DIY pest control around the house in stronger concentrations. Detailed instructions on the label. Just wondering how long the shelf life of it is.

[@pam0077]

I read in a recent study that showed treating your shoes and socks with permethrin alone while wearing long pants can reduce your risk of tick bites by 75%.

[@taytoddmc]

Smidge..Scottish life saver for outdoors in Ireland and Scotland

[@markshaw8692]

I’ve been using the lemon eucalyptus for mosquitoes and black flies and seems to work for ticks when sprayed on pant legs. Just need to reapply a little more often, but works in Maine pretty good

[@psychonaut3507]

I love that you took a moment to pause and acknowledge the hawk/eagle screeching overhead 😂 gotta love those moments in nature.

[@chriswatson2407]

I started using eucalyptus this year as a repellant and it seems to work well.

[@brionbearclaw7476]

In addition to everything you said being spot on, I saturate the ground around my shelter/tent/hammock with peppermint oil. Spiders absolutely hate it in my experience and will avoid the ground it is sprayed on.

[@leahwhiteley5164]

I put peppermint oil on cotton balls and put them all over our travel trailer. Especially where any food was stored and by the door when we winterize it. Never had a mouse, a spider or a bug. They do hate the smell. Good for cabins, too. Missouri girl, here. Families from around Lebanon.

[@lady7571]

Rats and rodents hit it too

[@horustwohawks]

Bears are curious over just about anything except pine smell. I don't know if its wise in bear country to use any essential oils, perfume, deodorant, smelly soaps, etc. But thanks for the tip.

[@hossjustice4458]

Thanks for the tip. I'm just introducing my niece to camping. A spider to her is like a grizzly-polar bear hybrid is to me. So this advice is well received. Ordering some now.

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

​@@leahwhiteley5164 Good to know .

[@alanhinckley3115]

“Smooth it” as Nessmuck did: mix 3 parts pine tar, 2 parts castor oil, 1 part pennyroyal oil; simmer over low heat; bottle for use. Gives a “tan” but when washed off leaves skin soft and smooth. It’s also good for healing bites you may already have.

[@TarikVann]

Is this an insecticide or just a repellant?

[@alanhinckley3115]

@@TarikVann repellant

[@cianmoriarty7345]

Good to know be pennyroyal makes me gag 😹

[@richardtorpy7881]

I have used permethrin on tent/gear/boots. This summer I found a permethrin spray that can be used on skin. I needed to repel horse flies in this case. Anyway, worked well. Any horse fly that landed on me immediately took off again. Mosquitoes were not bad this year, but it is supposed to work on them as well.

[@rlkill68]

In North Dakota I use a minimum of 50% DEET in the warmer months, not much need for it in winter. Never heard of Permectrin, but I think I will give it a try next time I go hiking. Thanks for all your agenda free reviews, they really do help.

[@GannAinm]

Coming from Scotland, in the heat of Summer our midgies are insufferable monsters, and honestly the only thing I find that is genuinely, consistently, effective at keeping the swarms away is the smoke from a pipe or a campfire until the wind picks up or the temperature dops enough for them to sod off.

[@RS-xq6je]

Agreed, I like the same and some Avon skin so soft with jojoba spray for me that works as well as the 100% DEET stuff I've used without the risks ruined my glasses once with 100% DEET accidentally but...

[@davidgraham2673]

@@RS-xq6je , Amazing how well Skin so Soft keeps mosquitos away.

[@RobMacKendrick]

We have clouds of black flies in Canada, tiny little bastards whose bites take six months to heal entirely. The only thing that truly takes care of them is classic Muskol at 23.5% DEET. You have to bathe in the stuff; spray it on your socks and hair, squirt it on your fingers and rub it behind your ears. And of course you have to remember to reapply after swimming, sweating, etc. They'll still swarm around your face, which is annoying, but they won't light.

[@joeltower5964]

​@@RobMacKendrick and they dive bomb right in the eyes!

[@williamolliges2622]

Yes, biting midges (no-seeums) will make you appreciate a mosquito bite. Wind? I got chewed alive by the little bastards in a stiff wind recently. They are of the devil, and like was mentioned take forever (two to three weeks for our southern varieties to heal. The itch borders on actual pain. This was in an area where I’d been a bunch, but was the first time I’d experienced them in this spot. Wet winter no doubt to blame.

[@squidless]

Great content - Great Delivery. That said, regarding this topic (pesticide use) - always, always READ THE PRODUCT LABELS. These products go through a registration process and the use warnings are invaluable information toward safe use. Outstanding job you're doing.

[@squidless]

@@jgarlito82 Pesticide registrations are subject to periodic re-registration reviews. This periodic review is the mechanism that allows any newly gathered information from the products use to be submitted for reevaluation to determine whether a product should have its registration cancelled or renewed. When one says "unsafe", that needs to be put into context. Put too much salt on one's food and it can become "unsafe and toxic" - yet salt, at the appropriate level, is a substance required in our bodies at certain (low) levels for us to remain healthy. Many pesticide products have lost their registrations not due to toxicity, but due to persistence. DDT is an example of a substance that lost registration due to its persistence. It simply lasts too long. It wasn't a particularly toxic material; it worked very well against mosquitoes, but it never broke down or degraded and therefore ended up accumulating throughout the environment where it began affecting bird egg development. I'd venture to say, many registrations are cancelled due to the persistence factor. Yes, pesticides are "deadly"...they're supposed to be....designed to be deadly to the target pest. Sure, they make money...can't really expect a business to do things for free. Parting thought - you aware that kitchen disinfectants are classified as pesticides? (see that EPA registration number on the container label?) It's toxic stuff....kills germs. Used incorrectly - it can be unsafe. Used correctly, as stated on the product label, its safe...and makes your kitchen a safer place to prepare food. So, for your safety (and even your pets) read, and re-read (they do occasionally change) , those labels.

[@kayakteddy]

As far as a natural repellent is concerned, my daughter is an avid Spartan Racer, which takes her through the wilderness in many states across the nation. As a racer, she is constantly crawling on the wet ground surface and getting into insect potent areas. She has been using a natural lavender liquid to repel most of the bugs that you mentioned, with satisfactory results. I'm in my late fifties, and have been going to some of her races that are local to me to do photo sessions of the races and used the lavender too, and had zero ticks and fleas on me when I'm finished. Flying gnats don't seem too annoyed by the lavender, but I'm not as concerned about their presence as I am the other pesky bugs. Try it if you haven't already. Hope you like the smell of lavender.

[@Sillyworld82]

My wife would love that option, we'll give it a try 👍🏾

[@FurNaxxYT]

The chemical in catnip has been shown to repel mosquitos and fleas like 60% more effective than deet. Add some liquid catnip to some lavender and eucalyptus and your invulnerable

[@daniellapain1576]

When I learned this I started planting them everywhere I could. Ideal for outdoor patios and hangout spots. You can also make your own spray too. Surprised its not incredibly popular for gardening in my area.

[@936Maria]

Interesting, I’m allergic to ticks , been spraying myself with heavy duty stuff but would like something more natural. Does she use straight lavender aromatherapy oils? Mixed with water in spray bottle? Or is it a ready made one to buy in shops?

[@user-ld9jq5ns8t]

Deep woods OFF for sportsman, blue label. 30 % deet. Alberta Canada

[@meljane8339]

My dad was both an eagle scout and worked for OSHA and chaperoned adolescent backpacking ventures: he had deet on us for places with swarms of blood suckers, and probably would also have for avian bird flu if we had been younger. When I asked, he said not to switch, and especially not to use component mixtures at a time. (I am also half-Australian, and if you know Chem history or conservation history, you will know DDT never went to the A.u.) Permethrin on the edges of clothes applied with ppe is the only + to that I have for outdoor use. Other than that, it was always Avon's skin so soft, which [is?] okay for babies, until I had a hard time finding a local rep, then I switched to essential oils. (One I didn't hear mentioned). Home defense with essentials is now what I use for household pesticide Scabies can be covered with nailpolish, they will die and not be contagious and you won't get cancer from permethrin if it isn't on your skin. [He said] nailpolish is also carcinogenic, just not as much as permethrin. (But it gets Rx???!) I'm still wondering about the keeping vermin and insects away "while sleeping" part, though. The last convo I had on the topic was circa 2013-14, Yeh yep,

[@earlshaner4441]

My friend got bite by a brown spider and he almost lost his leg but he got to the doctors in time and spent time in the hospital for 10 days. Yes he still has his leg.

[@LadyBoru]

I got 2 brown recluse looking bites. Bentonite clay and colloidal silver (in distilled water) packs is what cured me. Changed it out 2 to 3 times a day for 3 days. Used bandaids to hold them in place. The silver killed the flesh eating bacteria, and the clay drew out the poison. Amazing stuff.

[@earlshaner4441]

Outstanding to hear my friend the rest of the story is my first aid training that day when he showed me his bite that I sent him to the ER and he spent several days in the hospital getting treated

[@Icarus931]

Yikes!!!!

[@earlshaner4441]

No big deal my friend he is back to normal now but I know he will be more careful

[@juliandorrell5714]

I used to work with a national service center for scouting and we sold sawyer’s promethium quite a bit, I would even say heavily. Never used it myself but I am told from all types of outdoorsman, it really works. Have been thinking about some of my gear and it being a good idea. I am convinced now, if you say it works, I will certainly trust it until proven otherwise. Thank you for the info behind the product, education always makes for better, more informed decisions! 👍

[@astrodb4487]

Permethrin is the bomb. Used to live in a house in the woods. Spary your boots, socks and pants and you can litterally watch the tick start to crawl up and die. Another idea, for flea and tick control around the house. Soak cotton balls in permethrin put the cotton balls in a samll pvc tube and put it where mice and voles tend to roam. The mice grab the cotton for bedding and then the bugs on the mice and the insects die. Mice\voles are a major vector for ticks and fleas.

[@Jaden48108]

Good info!

[@bobbyg65]

In northern NJ and upstate NY I treat my shorts and shirts with permetherin and I carry and use the same deet you show on the video for my skin. The only times I found a tick on myself was while hiking in cooler weather and did not use the deet thinking the ticks were only around in warm temps. Not so.

[@hectoralicea5945]

Hey Luke! ..Congrats again on another informative and great video. I use a combination of tea tree oil and lemon grass oil with eucalyptus oil in a little sprayed bottle and I add water to it. It really helps. Since it's natural you should apply as needed.

[@JasonJohnson-kq2eq]

Yeah, it doesn’t really work.

[@2laughandlaugh]

Can you spray permethrin on Dyneema? I know it's a tough fiber but I would like to be sure before I spray my pack.

[@jasonsoutthere7733]

I love cowboy-camping. Feels so liberating for some reason. However, here in Florida, it can get rough. I purchased the Friendly Swede bug net and can clip it to a ridgeline and it is fairly decent. I did have to make some mods because it doesn't leave you with adequate room inside. Some areas, the netting is literally touching you, and bugs can bite you through it.

[@RS-xq6je]

I thought about using my huge cheap bedroom mosquito net under a tarp, saw Steve walls use magnets to stick a tarp inside a culvert I'm wondering if that work for a net under a tarp

[@AB-kg6rk]

Snakes?

[@leroyjenkins140]

Damn I can’t even imagine trying to cowboy camp out in Florida

[@jeanwatson189]

After seeing how DEET dissolved nail polish, I haven't used it again. Not that I care about nail polish, but who knows what else it's going to damage. I use Picaridin-based repellent, reapplying it often - it doesn't seem to give me any rashes or damage gear. In Australia, the other thing you want in some places is a fly-net for your hat, the flies go for the moisture in your eyes and are extremely persistent, eeeurgh. Also carry some tiger balm for leeches in wet areas and a tick remover in the first aid kit.

[@squidless]

Picaridin products need to be at least 20% to be optimally effective...read that somewhere and in practice I find it to be spot on.

[@JohnGault2398]

Deet was originally developed as a plastic solvent that is why it damages nail polish and some plastics.

[@Seriously_Unserious]

I've used an essential oil blend diluted in water and sprayed on my skin and clothes that worked very well out in BC's Okanagan in an area with thick swarms of mosquitoes. That stuff smells good and keeps the bugs off. It's also safe to use on your skin and you may get the side effect of healthier skin if you use it. IDK how it works for flying bugs in other parts of the world but that was my experience with it.

[@tobaccoroadadventures]

I’ve using Permethrin for a few years now and I agree 110%! Nothing works better for treating gear and clothes.

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

I'm in the Boreal forest and I can say for black flies and mosquitoes the natural products due work, for 5 minutes. The more deet the better.

[@denisbonnici1880]

I use Vick Vapour Rub. We have two or three open jars in our motorhome at night and remain gnat and bug free whilst asleep or generally occupying the vehicle. We also Rub over our exposed skin when out and walking..

[@suehaag2783]

I’ve used Picaridin based products the past several years. Works decent and usually not as greasy as Deet based. Deet can mess up some plastics whereas the Picaridin doesn’t. Works well against ticks and mosquitoes. Curious if anyone has recommendations for products to keep deerflies away.

[@SixMonthsIn]

This is what I use. It works well!

[@MikeMoskin]

I use "Tred-Not Deerfly Patches" on my hat. They attract the deerfly and they end up sticking to the patch. I haven't been bitten while having a patch on my hat.

[@tinymetaltrees]

Deer flies want to land on top. Horse flies don’t mind landing sideways but deer flies want to land on top and bite down. Cover everything that they can land on top of. They won’t ever go away but you won’t care if they only try to bite your hat.

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

Shotguns.

[@mtssman]

I did several long distance hikes in Scotland UK where is infamous for midge swarms. The stuff I personally use is "Avon skin-so-soft" lotion, and it works like a charm for me. I learned this from several experienced hikers. One of them is a retired British special force, and his unit used to (most likely still is) order this lotion by crates. I have no idea why it works so well but it smells great and if it is good enough for ladies it is certainly good enough for me.

[@ratslayer110]

My mom is from England and would slather this stuff all over us as kids in the summer months... it works well

[@Skwaru69]

Dunno about availability in other countries but in Poland A spray called "Mugga" is quite popular, its 50% deet based. Sold in many shops Decathlon included. There's also more "child friendly" version with 25% of icarditin instead of deet.

[@tmacc1529]

Great video, if anyone hasn’t heard of a thermocell yet, it works wonders keeping all kinds of flying bugs away, specifically mosquitoes, if it’s not too windy. Used it in a creek bed in east Texas in late summer a few times while bow hunting for some hogs, complete game changer on willingness to stick it out. It works so good that I question smelling it myself when the wind shifts directions. Hope this helps someone. Permethrin would be for that windy situation you need something to stick around.

[@jcnikoley]

After treating my ls shirt and pants with permethrin, mosquitoes don’t bother me, so I believe it works for me as a repellent. Mosquitoes generally pick other pray. If my wife is with me, they’ll all go for her before me, so if you attract them naturally, you’ll probably need deet as well.

[@Wearespurstv]

Or a thermacell

[@kmm-2024]

Thanks, Mr. Luke, for the attention you paid to this topic. Permethrin... who'd a thunk it?! Thanks for the tip. Good stuff. And thank you to everyone else who also chipped in and commented. Again, good stuff. I grew up in Florida, and mosquitos can be really bad, especially in years when it rains every day but not hard. I noticed that torrential rains can drown them, and they seem to remain absent after a really strong torrential rain for up to 5 weeks, sometimes. Bad hurricanes seem to clear out the spiders and scorpions for up to 7 years. (Go outside with a headlamp, sometime, after dark, while you walk your dog. All the spider eyes in the grass reflect the headlamp's light right back to your eyes. The spider eyes' retinas shift color (like a sherbet orange to sherbet lime green, and slightly shift position.) In years in which a hurricane has not been seen in over 10 years, all the teeny-tiny spiders in the grass are everywhere! One cannot walk without stepping on many of the little critters with every step! After a strong hurricane, they are completely absent, and they remain absent for several years. However, as bad as I thought mosquitoes were in Florida while I was growing up, I discovered that the mosquitoes in New Orleans, Louisiana are MUCH worse! In 1978, when my Boy Scout Troop 341 traveled to New Orleans for a 2-week summer trip with our troop's specially-customized school bus, we camped on Scout Island in New Orleans. The mosquitoes came in as squadrons, in sequentially organized waves (I kid you not), and those buggers laughed at insect repellent-even DEET! One night, as I walked across the camp to the picnic table where a few were playing cards under a Coleman gas mantle lantern, I looked down on my arms and saw that both arms were almost completely covered with mosquitos, almost like a furry coat. They didn't bite, because of the DEET, but they refused to fly off without me scattering them off. We concluded that the New Orleans mosquito must have been Louisiana's state bird. A small excerpt from one of those old camp songs which some of you might know and which might lighten your hearts: The skeeters at Camp Euchee, They say are mighty fine. A couple got together, And ate a friend of mine! Oh, I can't get enough Of Euchee life! Gee, ma, I wanna' go, But they won't let me go. Gee, ma, I wanna' go home! The biscuits as Camp Euchee, They say are mighty fine. One rolled off the table And crushed a friend of mine! Oh, I can't get enough Of Euchee Life! Gee, ma, I wanna' go, But they won't let me go. Gee, ma, I wanna' go home! .... Cheers, all. KMM.

[@JustaFanBoy]

30 years ago or so we used Avon's Skin-so-soft to keep gnats and black flies at bay. Called it Bug-so-soft. They would land but would not bite or stay long.

[@sherrykendrick1765]

It was a tick repellant also.

[@JustaFanBoy]

I just had to look it up - there is a Skin-so-Soft Bug Guard! 😂 That's new to me. The more you know...

[@rumblechick73]

@@JustaFanBoy It's still the same product but diluted a bit so it will spray easily. When Avon realized that people were using the Skin-so-soft oil/lotion for mosquito and no-see-um repellant they decided to capitalize on it. Unfortunately, like most Avon products the smell is VERY strong.

[@bradpage8967]

In Maine, the state bird is the mosquito! I have sat on bear stands with clouds of the evil bloodsuckers! The best treatment I have found is a thermacell. In fact I often use two of them. Words don’t accurately describe what it’s like. Folks need to experience it on their own!?

[@alanc4264]

I buy clothes in the UK that are already treated with Permethrin: socks, T-shirt, trousers (pants) and my hat, then I spray my rucksack and chestpack.

[@robertcampbell1668]

In this country InsectShield will treat your clothes for $10.00 per garment or sell you treated clothes using their permethrin fusing tech. Their treatment is good for 70 washings. Like you, I also spray my gear. Haven't had a tick bite since using this treatment. I was treated for Lyme twice in the past. I now use picaridin for skin, when needed. I have also used 100% DEET. Works. Melted some plastics, though.

[@judekiv]

i thought you said nutsack

[@powerstroke01]

@@judekiv same. I totally read nutsack

[@ianmangham4570]

@@judekiv BOLLOCKS

[@ianmangham4570]

@@powerstroke01 BOLLOCKS

[@kentwilliams3326]

Thanks. Good to know sir. I used to hunt where there were what's called "Deer Flys" and mosquitoes. I just wore a snow troopers cotton suit which I had dyed Olive Drab as well as a light set of gloves and a boonie style hat with integral mosquito net when heading to the woods. With that combo I could approach animals quite closely, primarily I believe, because the head net hid my face shine.

[@Messerjocke90]

I'm careful with any of the chemical stuff man. I'm talking about the repellant stuff that you put on your skin. We don't know what long therm effects this stuff has. + thank you for the gear treatment advise! Gonna try that for sure. But overall, I don't have a lot of problems with them, at least not when I'm awake doing things, mosquito stings don't really annoy me. I'm not allergic to them. Also bigger biting Flys are okay to deal with. And the ticks: I just control my legs and clothing regularly and flick them away. After 6 years in the outdoors now I only had one tick really sucking my blood.

[@yhsh1874]

At least one individual with some common sense. I wholeheartedly agree. Natural repellents do work if you know what's what, without (likely) doing more damage to skin and body than synthetic chemicals will ever do us good. For ticks, tea tree oil DOES work exceptionally well, dilute and mix it in with liquid soap and wash yourself with it a few days before hiking/camping/...then also dilute a flask with some eucalyptus OR coconut oil to rub that on your skin while hiking or at evening. Hunters in the Netherlands use these things and swear by them. "NEEM" oil is very effective to remove a tick by dropping one drop of the stuff on it, it'll fall off in about 15-20 minutes and die. As for the "deet" stuff, I never once put it on my skin. Something that burns away plastics should "never" be trusted on our skin, regardless of what "experts" have to say about it. Imo, all their "safety" standards and regulations are wrong: any chemical not naturally obtained by default does more damage than good but their effected damage usually only occurs after prolonged long term use and even across generations. We are natural beings, not synthetic ones, but "man" will become one when continuing to "choose" this current path, to be fair in utter ignorance to any consequences.

[@jabohabo3821]

Also if you find some wild onion, garlic or literally any kind of allium, then you can grind it down and spread a bit if it on the outside of your shelter if it isn't raining. Newer light green pine needles do the same thing with a better smell

[@tobiasball5225]

I wish I could give you multiple upvotes. I am a big believer in planning for bug and insect bite prevention. Excellent tips.

[@marjiecleveland]

I use a natural insect repellant and I also have permethrin for fabric and gear.

[@theoriginalrabbithole]

I've used both the Sawyer Permethrin treatment for my tent and clothes AND I tried the Sawyer Picadirin repellent spray together. I regret that the Sawyer Picadirin repellent was a bust. I applied a very generous amount to my arms, legs and face at 5 p.m. and went to fly my RC plane at the local park and by 8 p.m. I was getting eaten alive by the mosquitos! 3 hours later and it was as if I applied nothing at all. I really was hoping the Picadirin, which is a synthetic version of a Chrysanthemum extract, would work as well as the Permethrin spray but it didn't for me. Great videos, keep up the good work. 👍

[@Scarywoody]

That can only has .5% permethrin. You can get 36% at Tractor supply and cut with some water and use a spray bottle.

[@rogerrhodes2333]

Permethrin is one of the treatments for mites in peoples hair. Our blood chemistry prevents it from being toxic. Same for dogs. Sweat and water have do not cause it to be toxic for us. It is the rubbing of clothing during washing that reduces the amount of time it is effective. IIRC, it does repel certain insects for a certain amount of time (read the label).

[@thetrailgoat]

I also shower with a natural bug repellent soap when I know I’m going outdoors. Seems to work pretty well except in areas where the skeeters 🦟 are really prevalent. Then I step up to a DEET based repellent

[@KowT]

Thanks for the tip. I was skeptical about going to the outdoors this summer here in Brazil because scorpions really become an issue, specially the yellow and brown ones. their venom spreads into your body and can cause heart attacks if you don't get medical care in time.

[@RS-xq6je]

Taste like chicken?

[@clarencespady9009]

I live in Maine. I am not a big fan of using chemical on my skin, that said I have used DEET on my clothing openings (shirt collar and cuffs etc). I have not had a lot of trouble with ticks, again that said I do eat a lot of garlic. Regarding Permethrin, I am a solid believer in using that on everthing. I have found that it works extremely well! CB Spady

[@RoyceKitts]

I've been treating my gear with permethrin and using picaridin on my skin. Combined with a bug net in heavy skeeter areas and I went the past year without a single bite. (That I recall.) I just find that deet smell so annoying and it feels like I can taste it. Ugh.

[@vytautasbeliauskas8129]

I'm using that product about 2 years. I spraying on my tent, ground sheet, clothes, backpack. And its working perfectly.

[@iamNO1UKN0]

I've worked on several shoots in swampy areas loaded with ticks and mosquitoes. My boss at the time encouraged me to take B vitamins for a month before the shoot (heard this has been debunked). On top of that I ate a lot of Zankou garlic chicken with the garlic paste (a Los Angeles chain) before the shoot (the full month before). In both South Carolina (one of the Barrier Islands) and New Orleans, I was the only crew member who never had a problem with ticks (some were infested with them on a daily basis) and never suffered from mosquitoes (one landed on my arm and immediately took off). Now, it could be that I was the blood type that mosquitoes hate, but that doesn't explain the lack of ticks. I can't use insecticides of any sort. Makes me sick immediately, can even taste it in my mouth when someone sprays my legs trying to be "helpful". I can't even walk through the insecticide part of the gardening department. I get sick immediately.

[@leeuniverse]

So, basically eat a LOT of "Garlic"...?

[@iamNO1UKN0]

@@leeuniverse Also, since I grew up in tick country, I had a bit more sense than the LA people who would bushwack their way through the woods while I stuck to established paths. One of the monkey trainers bushwacked through a tick nest and was covered with them. She had PTSD for weeks and had nightmares the monkeys were chasing her and pulling ticks off their bodies to throw at her!

[@leeuniverse]

@@iamNO1UKN0 ... LOL

[@bethanmiles5126]

Brilliant..! 50yrs of camping & never knew this..!

[@silverseedtom]

I thought this was gonna be more practical tips than just cover everything in repellent haha

[@Canadian_Craftsman]

Not much more than meets the eye from "agenda free" content!! 🤣✊🔥

[@PhilippinesLifeseb]

Not surprising coming from this guy

[@gex6095]

Thanks for saving me time friend

[@wwdeadeye]

Seems pretty practical to me if you understand the meaning of "practical." The phrase "agenda free" also needs to be better understood by some.

[@JKArcade]

The cat thing was worth the price of admission

[@josephbarnett2566]

I applied Permethrin before my Appalachian Trail hike for ticks. I used minimal like you said mostly on openings of pants, socks, shirt. Only one loose tick. Rapplied only once in 7 months. BUT it is HIGHLY toxic to butterflies and bees so directions on my can said avoid applying where can get spray into wildlife pollinator areas. I never had mosquitoes while walking but carried lemon eucalyptus 30% "Repel" the ONLY natural repellant rated effective by Consumer Reports. So when people complain about naturals...they probably haven't used the correct natural! (I'm visiting Alaska and can't find a single store that carries the correct natural repellant!). Thanks!

[@TheDarkestOne37]

Wow, I never heard of Permethrin before. Thanks for that tip! I will be picking some up soon and coating my gear with it, especially my search and rescue gear. For my skin, I always use 100% Deet. I've tried different natural repellents, but haven't found any that work on me.

[@-cgk-.]

Works really well and lasts weeks, which is a huge plus. When traveling to Africa where mosquitos can be a deadly problem, it was the number one recommendation of my travel medicine doc

[@dananorth895]

The pyrethrin can be bought on lawn n garden or online by concentrate you dilute with water it's fairly expensive, still...... Cheapest bulk option and can use in a small spray bottle from the dollar store.

[@paulmeade3180]

I just used this the other week and it was that video you was cowboy camping when I heard you mention it. It works awesome

[@paulmeade3180]

Thank you

[@richerich853]

I use Permethrin on my clothes and gear, Picaridin on my skin..

[@jamesgranger8410]

Here in Maine when I am trail making for mountain biking I use Deep woods off I think it is roughly 30% deet not sure on exact % . mainly the ticks is what I am worried aboutbecause it is daylight. And mosquitos don’t get thick until dusk. I spray my waist and pants and socks. have good results with that

[@seamusmcbride2832]

Hunting the Mallory Swamp in Florida proved to me that even 100% Deet with a thermacell doesn't work.

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY brother and thank you for sharing your thoughts and adventures and your family

[@eileencarroll6418]

Would have been interesting to see a half-treated sheet left out in your backyard overnight... with a light positioned at the line between the two halves.

[@Shiner32]

smells like a new video idea for Luke!

[@just.bob.j]

what a great idea

[@grumpyoldman2744]

I think that's a wonderful idea

[@MikeySocks]

I definitely use the sawyers on my clothes and backpack but the repellent I use is the Avon Bug guard plus which has picaridin. I never have any issues

[@mikeh8228]

I worked many years in Arkansas as a geologist. Field work for us started in the fall with the leaf drop to leaves on oak trees being the size of mouse ears in the Spring, then it ended. During that time, ticks and mosquitos are not too big a problem due to the cooler weather. However, we have a nice little blood sucking mite called a chigger! They are crawlers and love tight places, like around your ankles, behind your knees, crotch, etc. To avoid them, we tried various insect clothes sprays, and that was somewhat effective, but the best, most effective treatment was flowers of sulfur, either dusting on body before getting dressed, to taking as a daily pill. The pill is effective all over...because as you sweat, it comes out in that sweat and coats your body, especially in the vital areas mentioned above. Of course you stink, but if your field partner uses it too, then you get used to it...go nose blind, so to say. This treatment is also very effective against ticks, both dog ticks and seed ticks, too. It does not work to my knowledge with mosquitos.

[@WayneTheSeine]

I worked in the woods for quite a few years and can attest to chiggers being the bug from hell. We finally settled on sulfur too. We put it in a sock and would bang it around on our lower legs, socks, pants and shoes. Demonic little bastards.

[@KieranLoftus]

With my work (bushcraft instructor) here in the UK i tend to use two different methods to keep bugs away. I use teatree oil on my pulse points and my neck, and then I take a smoke bath. Between the two i dont really have any bug issues

[@HayasaTribe]

Permethrin is a hormone disrupter. When it's dry it's not as toxic,but once you sweat or your clothes get wet in general, it activates the permethrin again that can cause health issues in a long run. 1lbs of mesh tent won't kill your back, just carry a decent mesh shelter you can sleep in.

[@tylersimplot13]

USMC doesnt seem to agree with you based the amount we douced on our cammies. I know lol they just dont care

[@HayasaTribe]

@@tylersimplot13 yea, i got rid of all my insect treated multicam stuff lol

[@tylersimplot13]

@@HayasaTribe Lmao I still use my it and some of stuff but I just assume we are all walking cancer patients lol

[@1822MCAdv]

@@tylersimplot13 they said agent orange was safe too , Semper Fi Brother. …. Top said it was ok so it was ok , the right way the wrong way and the Marine Corps way ! While I use a diy bug dope made from essential oil’s I spray my gear and clothing with pemethrins . You live everyday and only die once . 0311

[@BoiledOctopus]

Would use mesh over chems any day.

[@MightyMidgey]

We use a combination of spray-on tick repellant which has promethrin, and ClimbOn Bug Drug all natural which works actually very well for the ravenous mosquitoes we experience in the Uintas in Utah.

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello 👋 Luke, thank you for sharing this valuable information. It should make for a more comfortable outdoor experience. Stay healthy out there. 🤗

[@eddykoch8240]

I started using permethrin many years ago and there is nothing better. Everything fabric other than underwear and you don’t have to worry about bugs. If skin is exposed you might consider the repellent in addition. When you wash your clothes use a gentle cycle little to no detergent and hang dry and treatment can last up to a year depending on how many wash cycles. Sigma 3 Survival has a great video on how to treat your clothing and such. It doesn’t require full strength so it can be diluted to cover more materials and still be effective

[@KuntryRD]

This stuff really does work. I treated all my stuff, including my pack, before a trip to Shenandoah NP. Everyone but me had ticks on their backpacks after sitting them beside of the trail for a break. I had no issues with ticks or any other crawly critters on my clothes or gear.

[@ratslayer110]

I completely have faith in it for sure

[@beatbasher]

Here in the UK midges can be a real nightmare, horse flies are evil but we still have plenty of mosquitos but barely no harmful spiders. Pacirid tends to suffice but in the Scottish Highlands in summer DEET is definitely the way forward. Some menthol decongestant chest rub behind the ears helps keep most of them away from your face.

[@ryanmccarville5193]

This is it. This is where I admit to Luke and the internet that now own too many of those active Old Navy tshirts.

[@michaelschermuly1419]

I live in Maine and 100% deet depending on time of year and where you go.

[@SierraKilo76]

What I use depends on what I do. For day hikes or just every day use, I do prefer a "mild" repellant, like the one from Ballistol. In less mosquito infested areas, I normally do not get bitten to much, so this works great for me. If I am out photo hunting animals and have to crawl through tick infested areas, I use DEET in high concentration for clothes and skin. Will have a look at permethrin products thou. Does anyone has experience with that stuff on waxed canvas? Will it work? Will it stay on there? When I still lived in a house with a garden, I had lavender in the areas I used to "hang around," for example around my bbq. Kept most of the annoying bugs away, but attracted bees, humblebees (not a problem) and yellow jackets (definitely a problem when you try to eat while they try to steal your meal).

[@thormusique]

Great episdoe, thanks! I've used all types of natural insect repellants. As you suggest here, some of them have only worked for me when there weren't a lot of insects about; and many others haven't worked at all for me. So, I've switched to using 50% DEET or higher, depending on how bad the insects are. And I will sometimes use 100% concentration when needed, particularly here in the north during blackfly season, when mosquitoes are especially bad, etc. Cheers!

[@chrismoore600]

Outstanding this interesting as cutting pack weight by using a tarp setup can make you feel exposed to bugs. Thanks Luke features job as always.

[@gasolinewine801]

I truly wish you and Steve Wallis would join forces for a video. You are both my favorites on YT. I can’t imagine your combined knowledge, and the video it would produce. 👍😊

[@jaredwhispers]

This was a video I was waiting for from someone. I've seen how bushcrafters build their fires and say it keeps bugs away but I've always thought there had to be something stronger. I live in a tropical island and we have centipedes, scorpions, spiders and other bugs along with snakes, rats and other bigger pests. I'm afraid of camping cowboy-style and having a rat crawl over me while I sleep...

[@doloresreynolds8145]

The fire smoke works to drive out bugs, if you fill your tent or cabin with smoke they will leave. Then, of course, you cannot go in there until it airs out.

[@richarddoucet5425]

This is pretty late but treating the net with permathrin would solve that issue... just sayin'

[@dananorth895]

Peppermint and I think Eucalyptus is supposed to repel rats.

[@scottmoore4039]

I live in AZ , and I do my workouts outside because that's where my bench and weights are. We do have a moderate amount of mosquitos from time to time depending on the scarce rainfall. I normally use Repel Lemon Eucalyptus DEET - Free insect repellent. I actually enjoy the smell and have never had any adverse reaction to it. It seems to do the job well in my experience!

[@jasonjohnson3164]

I just found out about permethrin this past year. Used it on my clothing and day pack before heading down to the Red River Gorge area for a week of hiking and kayaking activities. No bug issues. Same time I also learned about picaridin repellent and subsequently used it in combination with the permethrin. Again, never had a problem with bugs the entire time. What are your thoughts on picaridin, if you've tried it?

[@michaelpitts3285]

Picaridin is great. I have had it and deet and the picaridin is the better of the two and safer for gear as it won't melt plastic/nylon like deet. I like the lotion from Sawyer rather than the spray as I feel like it covers as well with less product.

[@jasonjohnson3164]

@@michaelpitts3285 same here on the lotion

[@justjonoutdoors]

For my gear, I get permethrin from a large-animal supply house in a super-concentrated gallon jug. I put 3 oz of that in a 5 gallon bucket of water. I then soak all of my gear/clothes in the bucket, wring them out lightly, and put them on the line to dry. I have found this will last MUCH longer than spraying the items with a surface treatment. On my skin, I use picaridin, and have found that to be quite effective in all environments. One major advantage of picaridin over deet is that unlike deet, picaridin won’t attack plastic/nylon/polyester/cork or otherwise destroy gear.

[@davemc8598]

Love your videos- have learned a great deal and like relaxing to them at the end of the day. Will definitely be trying the permethrin on my gear- just recently relocated to North Carolina and the insect life is vastly different than where I’m from (Illinois). Would be awesome to see you one day out in the wild. Peace brother.

[@scep8551]

Wow! Thank you for sharing this! So true. Successfully exited a destructive marriage. My kids alienated from me still 9 years later. But I’m the healthiest person I’ve ever been.

[@tobystrickland5986]

Being ex- military we used skin-so-soft for repelling mosquitoes away. And another way to keep mosquitoes away is a nasty one. Don't shower in the woods. Clean body will attract more. And thanks for the other idea with the video. GOD bless you my friend.

[@myysticranger]

Permethrin is a must in Montana, but oddly enough Vanilla (extract) does a great job of keeping mosquitos away. That's an old Grandma technique I learned when I was 14.

[@markmartello]

The US Army did a study in Alaska a while back. They put troops in the field with a treated uniform and deet, just deet, just a treated uniform, or neither. The combination of the permethrin treated uniform and deet produced a 99% reduction in mosquito bites. The deet product they used is available for civilians from 3M. It's a 30% deet product called Ultrathon. The deet is micro encapsulated and is released over 12 hours so you don't have to keep reapplying as often.

[@bobv7753]

I am a big fan of permethrin. It works great as you state. A word of caution regarding some insect replents and plastics. They don't work well together. Not necessarily permethrin but especially skin sprays will break down some plastics like those on sleep pads & pillows. I strongly recommend when you get back from your hike/camp to wash down the items that come into contact with body sprays. It's always a trade off. I also use body sprays but cover my exposed plastics. Common sense but you don't want to compromise your gear. Especially on a long thru hike. Great & informative video. Spot on for dealing with the bugs! Thanks!!!

[@A_Fortunate_Traveler]

Stange… The EPA has classified this product as being possibly carcinogenic. The European community, more severe even, has, since December 12, 2000 not admitted its usage. It not only attacks insects but also small mammals and fish. By the way, spiders are not insects!

[@cybereye2]

I’ve found a good chewing of garlic in your cooking keeps the mosquitoes at bay. In Scotland they are particularly prevalent during the summer months. Ty for always sharing your considerable knowledge