I grew up in Maine, went to UMaine. I knew this couple who lived in Mexico. They got into some home exchange program years ago. They were going to swap homes, two weeks, with a family from Philadelphia. They wanted to see Maine in June. So the family arrived in Mexico as my friends were ready to head south. When they met in person, my friend Jerry said " we have to tell you, blackfly season could start any day now" they said, "Blackflies? What's that?"
In five minutes you've given me more useful information about mosquitoes than I've heard in the last 50 years. Sounds like two layers of silk long sleeved T-shirts covered with an outer shirt would be pretty dandy for my torso. Mind blown!
I have to wear long sleeve FR / Arc Flash rated clothing at work every day. It is amazing but after 20 years you do get some what used to it, to the point that a T shirt at 70* I feel chilled.
Growing up in the south, I thought I knew a bit about mosquitoes, being stationed in Maine, I learned a bit more, but my real education on bitting bugs came one summer in Alaska!
I make my own tar bug dope from birch bark, render in down and mix the tar/oil with bees wax and olive oil in thirds. It has its own distinct smell/flavor. The pine tar reminds me of Old Woodsman fly dope back in the 1970's here in Maine
I remember the old Muskol bottles. You'd put it on your face and it would burn. I saw a guy's beard start shedding. and if put it on your forehead and it leaked in your eyes ... To top it off, the handle of your fishing reel would get all sticky from dissolving. I always have a couple of buffs on me. They are year round handy items. A good shirt is the OR Echo hoody. Good sun and bug protection that dries very quickly. Some people are more tasty to insects. The vet was vaccinating my dogs last week. It was early and cool out. I didn't even think the bugs were awake yet. She left with a splotchy face! Thanks for the video. Looking forward to part 2 - and to autumn weather!
Thanks for sharing. Yes I remember that too. I got eaten alive on a 1.4 mile portage once. Couldn’t swat because I had a canoe on my head, what I thought was sweat trickling down my neck and back we’re actually mosquitoes having a luau. I barely survived the next 4 days after that.
Here in UP, DEET does not work on the biting black flies. The lemon eucalyptus bug repellent is marginally effective but does not last long and must continually be reapplied.
I spent seven months in Rangeley when I first moved to Maine. There were heinous black horseflies, and I had a system much like yours, with a bandana at my neck, fishing hat with the net and full-finger gloves. You are right about extra layers. I never did get bitten, but one got to my skin once, and it had to get through three layers of poly to do it. I had deerfly patches on my hat and on the arms and legs of my base-layer (I was a runner) and spread pennyroyal oil on my clothes as well. Long sleeves and pants always. I hear that they like darker colors, but dark blue was all I had at the time. One thing I found that helped was take a shower to be strictly clean before I go out. I never did catch one with the deerfly patches. I'm planning a cycling tour through Carrabasset Valley, and was wondering if you had any tips on these aggressive nasties.
Oh boy, I’ve done some distant cycling and you’re in a special spot there with the insects because the clothing has to be tight enough that you can bike in it and that’s when they can just shoot that little stinger you right through the clothing. I would just advise being careful of putting any chemicals on your clothing. The other unique thing about being a cyclist, is that clothing is right next to your skin and your and you’re sweating. The skin is the largest organ in the body. The nicotine patches proven you can ingest chemicals through the skin, I wish I had a better solution for you, but I would say covering up and what you’re doing is the best you could do is the safest long-term.
Lisa, you look like Mary Todd Lincoln. With thatbug net on. Lol.I think it is cause their wings cause wind chill and i causes them to become sluggish. Ive seen it . Yep the black flys made my head look like a sack of marbles the whole time i was at the onaping. My dad just poured calamine on my head and rub it in. Those were the days. I remeber the army surplus bug dope that your talking about. He kept a tiny glass bottle of it in his tackle box. Love you lisa and everyone who helps you.
Back in the 70’s and 80’s we’d saturate everything in Ole Time Woodsman fly dope. It kept everything and everyone away lol The Eureka! NoBugZone ct13 is some of the best money I’ve ever spent! 90% of the time it’s my summer shelter. I do bring a 10x10(or 12’) tarp to block sideways rain.
Boy do I love my electronic fly swatter...i can kill scores of pesky freekin bugs just swinging it around my head. Probably look like a crazy person, but I don't care as long as I'm making progress...lol
I am fond of white cotton dress shirts for bug season, sure ring around the collar is real, but bugs are attracted to colors so I tolerated a dirty white shirt most of the summer.
It’s honestly whatever works. My skin is so sensitive…I can’t risk putting chemicals on it. I collapsed on a hike because I switched laundry detergent and got the blue kind with perfume. I am the canary in the mine. Thanks for sharing.
I haven't use deet in over 20 years. I used a smudge pot in my canoe this spring a log. I put a small board under it so as not to char the boat. It chars the board. @@3_Minutes_With_a_Maine_Guide
Permethrin is a great option that should be considered. It's a naturally occurring substance that you can use to treat any sort of fabric like clothing or tents. It's very durable and last multiple cleanings or a month or two of use. (it's the same chemical they apply to the 'bug proof' clothes you see sold). I've used it extensively, and can attest how well it repells mosquitoes, ticks, and any other nuisance bugs. Granted, it's not the end-all solution, but it makes the world of difference.
It’s been around a long time. A lot of people say it works. I’ve never done it because I have a really sensitive skin but if it works for you that’s the way to go.
Yes it works. Spray on your outer layer clothing, let it dry, wear the clothing....wash the clothing....wear the clothing....wash the clothing....when after a few wash and wears the bugs return just repeat. JUNGLE FORMULA is what I first tried and I've stuck with it.
I’ve seen those recently on canoe trips they do seem to work for like the first two days maybe three days but on a longer trip they seem to fizzle out after that maybe it’s just the brand.
I like your style. I'd enjoy paddling with you and your husband. I just finished an 8 day in the BWCA. I pretreated all my exposed clothing with permethrin(including my hat and shoes) and used picaridin on exposed skin, used a black(deer)fly patch on my hat, always wore extra-long sleeves and pants, over the calf socks and kept a smokey fire going at camp. 8 days, no bites. My friend chose not to and got eaten alive, probably 50+ mosquito bites and a patch full of black flies.
It’s huge the difference bugs make on any trip. I’ve had guests at the most amazing rivers, the most amazing campsites and if the bugs are out they can’t enjoy, or see the beauty of any of it.
I defenatly will take covered over bitten up or sun burned. I always remembered old timers doing outdoor work during summer in light weight and loose fitted long sleves and wide brim straw hat. Yes your gonna sweat a little, but you wont get baked....like working in the shade.
I wear “insect shield” clothing and carry a “Thermacell” and that keeps all the bugs at bay. I live in Maine and have experienced very bad bug days, but I also believe after you get bit hundreds (perhaps thousands) of times, your body no longer reacts - no itching, no redness. For deer flies I use double stick tape on may hat. I also have a hat with a headset built in when the bugs are just unbearable.
That is true about building up the tolerance get better enough and you do develop a tolerance. It’s a difficult way to do it but we’ve we’ve all done it that way, especially if we can do in Maine.
I grew up in Maine, went to UMaine. I knew this couple who lived in Mexico. They got into some home exchange program years ago. They were going to swap homes, two weeks, with a family from Philadelphia. They wanted to see Maine in June. So the family arrived in Mexico as my friends were ready to head south. When they met in person, my friend Jerry said " we have to tell you, blackfly season could start any day now" they said, "Blackflies? What's that?"
Oh boy I know, but it’s what keeps Maine wild too, so I guess it’s not all bad. Thanks for watching.
In five minutes you've given me more useful information about mosquitoes than I've heard in the last 50 years. Sounds like two layers of silk long sleeved T-shirts covered with an outer shirt would be pretty dandy for my torso. Mind blown!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
I always appreciate the knowledge you so pleasantly share. Thank you 🙏 😊
I have to wear long sleeve FR / Arc Flash rated clothing at work every day. It is amazing but after 20 years you do get some what used to it, to the point that a T shirt at 70* I feel chilled.
That’s true about getting used to it. Also as a canoeist getting to camp and just taking off the life jacket is like shedding a huge layer.
Growing up in the south, I thought I knew a bit about mosquitoes, being stationed in Maine, I learned a bit more, but my real education on bitting bugs came one summer in Alaska!
Boy, I’ll bet. Thanks for sharing. 👍🛶🛶
Thnx Lisa
I live in eastern Ontario & carry a bug net when ever in the woods.
100 % cotton long sleeve shirt in the summer.
Cheers
Very useful information.
Glad it was helpful!
I like Wilma’s Nordic Summer, a pine tar based insect repellent that smells like smoke and tar! It is ridiculously expensive in the UK now though.
I make my own tar bug dope from birch bark, render in down and mix the tar/oil with bees wax and olive oil in thirds. It has its own distinct smell/flavor.
The pine tar reminds me of Old Woodsman fly dope back in the 1970's here in Maine
Pine tar is historic.
Sounds like Woodsman's Fly Dope.
I remember the old Muskol bottles. You'd put it on your face and it would burn. I saw a guy's beard start shedding. and if put it on your forehead and it leaked in your eyes ... To top it off, the handle of your fishing reel would get all sticky from dissolving. I always have a couple of buffs on me. They are year round handy items. A good shirt is the OR Echo hoody. Good sun and bug protection that dries very quickly. Some people are more tasty to insects. The vet was vaccinating my dogs last week. It was early and cool out. I didn't even think the bugs were awake yet. She left with a splotchy face! Thanks for the video. Looking forward to part 2 - and to autumn weather!
Thanks for sharing. Yes I remember that too. I got eaten alive on a 1.4 mile portage once. Couldn’t swat because I had a canoe on my head, what I thought was sweat trickling down my neck and back we’re actually mosquitoes having a luau. I barely survived the next 4 days after that.
Here in UP, DEET does not work on the biting black flies. The lemon eucalyptus bug repellent is marginally effective but does not last long and must continually be reapplied.
I’ve also heard clove oil is good.
So excited for this one!! Thank you
You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!
I spent seven months in Rangeley when I first moved to Maine. There were heinous black horseflies, and I had a system much like yours, with a bandana at my neck, fishing hat with the net and full-finger gloves. You are right about extra layers. I never did get bitten, but one got to my skin once, and it had to get through three layers of poly to do it.
I had deerfly patches on my hat and on the arms and legs of my base-layer (I was a runner) and spread pennyroyal oil on my clothes as well. Long sleeves and pants always.
I hear that they like darker colors, but dark blue was all I had at the time. One thing I found that helped was take a shower to be strictly clean before I go out.
I never did catch one with the deerfly patches.
I'm planning a cycling tour through Carrabasset Valley, and was wondering if you had any tips on these aggressive nasties.
Oh boy, I’ve done some distant cycling and you’re in a special spot there with the insects because the clothing has to be tight enough that you can bike in it and that’s when they can just shoot that little stinger you right through the clothing. I would just advise being careful of putting any chemicals on your clothing. The other unique thing about being a cyclist, is that clothing is right next to your skin and your and you’re sweating. The skin is the largest organ in the body. The nicotine patches proven you can ingest chemicals through the skin, I wish I had a better solution for you, but I would say covering up and what you’re doing is the best you could do is the safest long-term.
Spot on!
Jim, thanks for all the input. I look forward to it.
Lisa, you look like Mary Todd Lincoln. With thatbug net on. Lol.I think it is cause their wings cause wind chill and i causes them to become sluggish. Ive seen it . Yep the black flys made my head look like a sack of marbles the whole time i was at the onaping. My dad just poured calamine on my head and rub it in. Those were the days. I remeber the army surplus bug dope that your talking about. He kept a tiny glass bottle of it in his tackle box. Love you lisa and everyone who helps you.
William that’s hysterical. I’ll take it, Mary Todd Lincoln, tremendous individual.
Back in the 70’s and 80’s we’d saturate everything in Ole Time Woodsman fly dope.
It kept everything and everyone away lol
The Eureka! NoBugZone ct13 is some of the best money I’ve ever spent!
90% of the time it’s my summer shelter. I do bring a 10x10(or 12’) tarp to block sideways rain.
You can’t beat a good gathering shelter
Boy do I love my electronic fly swatter...i can kill scores of pesky freekin bugs just swinging it around my head. Probably look like a crazy person, but I don't care as long as I'm making progress...lol
It is very satisfying.
I am fond of white cotton dress shirts for bug season, sure ring around the collar is real, but bugs are attracted to colors so I tolerated a dirty white shirt most of the summer.
It’s honestly whatever works. My skin is so sensitive…I can’t risk putting chemicals on it. I collapsed on a hike because I switched laundry detergent and got the blue kind with perfume. I am the canary in the mine. Thanks for sharing.
I haven't use deet in over 20 years. I used a smudge pot in my canoe this spring a log. I put a small board under it so as not to char the boat. It chars the board. @@3_Minutes_With_a_Maine_Guide
Permethrin is a great option that should be considered. It's a naturally occurring substance that you can use to treat any sort of fabric like clothing or tents. It's very durable and last multiple cleanings or a month or two of use. (it's the same chemical they apply to the 'bug proof' clothes you see sold).
I've used it extensively, and can attest how well it repells mosquitoes, ticks, and any other nuisance bugs. Granted, it's not the end-all solution, but it makes the world of difference.
It’s been around a long time. A lot of people say it works. I’ve never done it because I have a really sensitive skin but if it works for you that’s the way to go.
Yes it works. Spray on your outer layer clothing, let it dry, wear the clothing....wash the clothing....wear the clothing....wash the clothing....when after a few wash and wears the bugs return just repeat. JUNGLE FORMULA is what I first tried and I've stuck with it.
I know a lot of guys who swear by their Thermacells nowadays. No Deet, and you can wear shorts and short sleeves.
I’ve seen those recently on canoe trips they do seem to work for like the first two days maybe three days but on a longer trip they seem to fizzle out after that maybe it’s just the brand.
Where did you get that bugnet from with the arm straps?
www.bugbaffler.com/products/headnet
Good luck
I like your style. I'd enjoy paddling with you and your husband. I just finished an 8 day in the BWCA. I pretreated all my exposed clothing with permethrin(including my hat and shoes) and used picaridin on exposed skin, used a black(deer)fly patch on my hat, always wore extra-long sleeves and pants, over the calf socks and kept a smokey fire going at camp. 8 days, no bites. My friend chose not to and got eaten alive, probably 50+ mosquito bites and a patch full of black flies.
It’s huge the difference bugs make on any trip. I’ve had guests at the most amazing rivers, the most amazing campsites and if the bugs are out they can’t enjoy, or see the beauty of any of it.
I defenatly will take covered over bitten up or sun burned. I always remembered old timers doing outdoor work during summer in light weight and loose fitted long sleves and wide brim straw hat. Yes your gonna sweat a little, but you wont get baked....like working in the shade.
True that. Thanks for sharing.
My frist trip on the allagash as a kid we put in at round pond. I ended that trip destroyed in bug bites lol
Oh boy. As a canoeist we all have done that. Mine was the Narraguagus River in Eastern Maine. I nicknamed it the Never-again-Gus.
I wear “insect shield” clothing and carry a “Thermacell” and that keeps all the bugs at bay. I live in Maine and have experienced very bad bug days, but I also believe after you get bit hundreds (perhaps thousands) of times, your body no longer reacts - no itching, no redness. For deer flies I use double stick tape on may hat. I also have a hat with a headset built in when the bugs are just unbearable.
That is true about building up the tolerance get better enough and you do develop a tolerance. It’s a difficult way to do it but we’ve we’ve all done it that way, especially if we can do in Maine.
No netting like they go true Egyptian cotton light colour long sleeve that the best
My routine also! 🐾🙏🏻✌🏻🛶