WEST NILE VIRUS INFO

• Avoid peak insect seasons or times. They vary from location to location, so check with local Park Authorities, Forest Rangers, etc., for information. North of Colorado and California (if you were to draw a line), insects are at their worst from May 15 to 12/1 (or 11/1 in the far North). From California to Arizona, Northern Texas, to Georgia, it’s April 1 to January 1. Southern Texas and all of Florida are year-round sites. These dates are generally correct. Dawn and Dusk are the peak/worst times for insect activity.
• Avoid high-density or intensity areas. Standing water attracts mosquitoes; they lay their eggs in damp, dark areas and love stagnant waters. Mosquitoes are poor fliers, and a good breeze drives them nuts, and away. Camp, rest, and generally seek hillsides or other areas that receive a nice breeze. Hot, sunny areas are no friend to mosquitoes, so seek open, sunny campsites.
• Try a perimeter spray repellant, if you’re car-camping.
• Keep tents securely closed at all times. OK, open them to get in or out, but then zip them at once. Try spraying tent with a permethrin product such as Repel’s Permanone.
• Consider large insect barriers or netting. These can enclose eating or relaxing areas, as well as sleeping areas.
• Wear light color clothing. Mosquitoes like dark clothing.  Wear loose fitting clothing. Loose clothing does not allow the insect’s stinger or biting apparatus to reach your skin. Keep shirts tucked in; keep pant legs tucked into socks or boots. A head net works great during problem times. Treat clothing with a mosquito repellant before leaving on your adventure. A permethrin-based product such as Repel’s Permanone, works well on clothing. This product is applied at least two hours before use, as it must thoroughly dry. The protection lasts about two weeks. DO NOT use this product on your skin.
• Whether you try DEET® based repellants, Off, Ultrathon, Cutter, or my favorite, Ben’s; or DEET®-free Shoo, Bugg-Off, Muskol, Chigg-Away, Bug Button or Bug-Ban wristband, herbal soaps or lotions, you’ll have to determine which one works best for you. The American Association of Poison Control Centers, in a five year study, found inconsequential reactions to DEET®, even in its highest concentrations, yet many people have an intellectual aversion to its "chemical" base. Some people may have a slight skin reaction, but these cases are reported to be extremely rare. There are many home remedies, old wives (old hikers) tales, mechanical devices, and passed-along suggestions. They include ingesting garlic, bananas, Vitamin B-1, Vitamin E, sound emitters, including those that emit the dragonfly’s noise, Bounce Fabric Softener sheets, wristband repellants, Chamomile tea or soap, Citriodora and Chamomile concoctions (take one ounce of leaves from both Chamomile and Citriodora plants and boil in a gallon of water. Strain out plant particles and refrigerate. Apply the mixture to your face and exposed parts of your body), Avon’s Skin So Soft lotion, Amway’s D-15 lotions or sprays, tar and petroleum jelly mixtures (Warm a bit of tar until it gets slightly runny. Mix it with an equal amount of petroleum jelly and paraffin. Let the blend cool until it’s firm and smooth. Rub onto skin. ); electronic bug zappers, Dr. Broneer’s Peppermint soap, or mixing DEET® with hand-sanitizing lotion to reduce irritation. Some of these ideas or products reportedly work well for some people, some are a joke or rip-off, and some work fine for some people yet not for others. Many insect control specialists and Entomologists scoff at sonic repellants, Skin So Soft Lotion and similar cosmetic products, Insect Zappers, Wristband Repellants and most home remedies.  I highly recommend a DEET® product, as that is the only thing that works for me.
• Here’s a "right-on" suggestion: bathe often and wash away sweat. Pests are usually drawn to your scent. A clean body does not attract them as much as a sweaty, smelly one.
• Campfire smoke drives off mosquitoes. Toss a few green leaves or branches onto your fire from time to time. Remember, though. DO NOT break live or dead branches from trees or shrubs.
• Avoid hairsprays, deodorants, perfumes, scented sunscreens, etc. These sweet-smelling products attract insects. They attract Bears, too.
• Children will put fingers in eyes and mouths. Do not, therefore, apply DEET® to their hands.
• Follow directions on product container for whatever you are using. Never apply chemicals to unexposed areas of your body. Do not apply over cuts, wounds or rashes. Avoid eyes and mouth. Be extra careful with children – check directions and apply carefully and always under adult supervision. Keep out of reach of children. Always bathe thoroughly as soon as possible after usage period.

These avoidance tips are excerpts from www.HikingwithMike.com/BeginnersTips.htm.