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Bug Spray: Your 2012 Essential Packing Tip

With our summer season behind us, we are looking forward to the holidays and the upcoming year. In fact, we are filling cabins fast for the 2012 season. If you are anticipating your next summer vacation at the T Cross, we’ve found some great information to make your stay more comfortable.

According to research conducted by the Jackson Hole Alliance for Responsible Planning, “To date, 42 species of mosquitoes have been identified in Wyoming.” But have no fear, we’ve got some great advice and information that will ensure your time at the T Cross is pleasant and bite-free.

An article titled, “Bug Repelling Basics” published on www.realsimple.com, shares the following handy tidbits.

Where they hang out: These chronic outdoor-party crashers can be found near lakes, marshes, lagoons, pools, or any other body of water. They are at their worst at sunrise and dusk.

What attracts them: Body heat and moisture, which they need to lay eggs and feed young. “There’s a saying—water plus seven days equals mosquitoes,” says George Hamilton, chair of entomology at Rutgers University, in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Their kryptonite: Insect repellents that contain DEET work well on individual bugs.

Now, I’ve heard two different sides to DEET. Some people swear by it, some people swear it is toxic. So I did a bit more research to see what the professionals are saying on the subject.

Another article titled, “Your Biggest Bug Questions, Answered” gets right to the point.

What exactly is DEET, and why do some people avoid it?
DEET is a highly effective chemical that confuses the receptors on the antennae of many insects, so bugs are warded off but not killed. The main concern with DEET is its possible toxicity. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in the almost 50 years that the chemical has been used in the United States, there have been rare cases of reactions to DEET, which have ranged from skin irritation to death in those who used excessive amounts. But most experts agree that when used correctly, DEET does not pose a health risk for adults. Common sense: Don’t apply it more frequently or leave it on skin for longer than the package directions specify. And avoid using DEET around food, in small, enclosed spaces, or on open sores.

When it comes to children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a product with a maximum DEET concentration of 30 percent. (Caveat: Never use a repellent with DEET on a baby less than two months old.) “Avoid putting it around the eyes or the mouth or on the hands of small children,” says Miran J. Song, a pediatrician at the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, in Arizona.

The good news is, you can choose a DEET product with a concentration to match your needs. For example, Off! brand insect repellents come in formulations with a DEET content of 5 percent (the FamilyCare products) to 98.25 percent (the Deep Woods Sportsmen line). While higher concentrations may repel bugs longer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that products containing more than 50 percent DEET do not repel better than products containing less. If you are bothered by DEET’s unpleasant smell, look for repellents that contain the chemical alternative picaridin, which is odorless.

Are there any natural ingredients that work?
The CDC recommend two naturally derived active ingredients: oil of lemon eucalyptus and the amino acid IR3535. These are called biopesticide repellents (the chemicals DEET and picaridin are conventional repellents). Both are described as offering “reasonably long-lasting protection” against bugs. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is found in Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent ($7, drugstore.com) and Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus ($7,amazon.com). Some people swear by Avon Skin So Soft to repel mosquitoes; the company has developed Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition SPF 30 pump spray ($16, avon.com), which contains the amino acid.

How can I easily find out which ingredients a product contains?
For one-stop ingredient research, search the National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (which is affiliated with Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana). Here you’ll find information that includes a list of insect repellents that are licensed in your state, broken down by active ingredient and the type of pest that it targets.

Hopefully this article has shed some light on your 2012 packing list—make sure mosquito repellent is included. Whether you pack DEET repellent or a natural alternative, you’re prepared. And you know what they say, “It’s always better to be prepared.”