We're going to Buddy Dive 4/20-4/27. My wife is sensitive to buy bites so I'd like to bring the right stuff. What's the best to bring with us?
Best bug spray / mosquito repellant for Bonaire??
- Thread starter hroark2112
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fisheater
Contributor
I'm of the more DEET the better crowd.
I love REI's 100% DEET product. (OK, it's really 98%, but close enough.)
I love REI's 100% DEET product. (OK, it's really 98%, but close enough.)
Never been to Bonaire but I believe the universal answer to that question is something with Deet or picaridin. Deet is readily available.
Picaridin General Fact Sheet
DEET - Home
Picaridin General Fact Sheet
DEET - Home
boat sju
Contributor
They have the typical DEET products right at the BD shop. I don't trust the stuff in my luggage.
DennisS
Contributor
Cutter and Off both have a dry formula. I like it over the regular oil based repellants, you dont even know your wearing it. OFF Deep Woods dry is 25% DEET, Cutter Dry is 10%. Both are effective against no-see-ums and mosquitos
Home Depot carries Swamp Gator, one of the few "natural" repellants I have found effective.Geranol, soy bean oil, peppermint oil, rosemary, and geranium oil. It works for no-see-ums and mosquitos.
A little bottle of 100% DEET is a good back just in case.
Home Depot carries Swamp Gator, one of the few "natural" repellants I have found effective.Geranol, soy bean oil, peppermint oil, rosemary, and geranium oil. It works for no-see-ums and mosquitos.
A little bottle of 100% DEET is a good back just in case.
Kharon
Contributor
I used Sawyer's Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent
(Amazon.com: Sawyer Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Trigger Spray: Sports & Outdoors)
on my clothes and Sawyer's 20-Percent Picaridin
(Amazon.com: Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent 20-Percent Picaridin Pump Spray: Sports & Outdoors)
on my skin. I went to Bonaire in early January 2010 and it had rained daily from September till I got there so the mosquito population was huge. Never got a bite. Others where I was staying were eaten alive.
One other benifit of these products is that neither will damage diving equipment. Deet certainly will if you accidently get it on anything plastic or rubber. Once dry on your clothes, permethrin is effective for about 6 weeks. Picaridin smells like citris and drys quickly with no ongoing smell. Highly recommended - and, no I have no business (or other interest) in either product.
(Amazon.com: Sawyer Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Trigger Spray: Sports & Outdoors)
on my clothes and Sawyer's 20-Percent Picaridin
(Amazon.com: Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent 20-Percent Picaridin Pump Spray: Sports & Outdoors)
on my skin. I went to Bonaire in early January 2010 and it had rained daily from September till I got there so the mosquito population was huge. Never got a bite. Others where I was staying were eaten alive.
One other benifit of these products is that neither will damage diving equipment. Deet certainly will if you accidently get it on anything plastic or rubber. Once dry on your clothes, permethrin is effective for about 6 weeks. Picaridin smells like citris and drys quickly with no ongoing smell. Highly recommended - and, no I have no business (or other interest) in either product.
T.C.
Contributor
Salt Water.
As long as you stay underwater, the bugs can't bite you.
Plus it's free and environmentally friendly.I had pretty good luck on Bonaire with this product from Amazon:
Amazon.com: Repel 94108 4-Ounce 98.1-Percent Deet Insect Repellent Pump Spray, Case Pack of 1: Patio, Lawn & Garden
It's a bit nasty, though - very oily.
James
Amazon.com: Repel 94108 4-Ounce 98.1-Percent Deet Insect Repellent Pump Spray, Case Pack of 1: Patio, Lawn & Garden
It's a bit nasty, though - very oily.
James
DiveMaven
Contributor
I buy and use the Picaridin products and find they work great. Plus they don't make your lips numb like DEET does. Your wife should also pack some lightweight pants and long sleeve shirts, which will help a lot. I know folks who buy those OFF! things with little fans that they place under their tables. If you're eating somewhere that has ocean side seating, the breeze will help keep the bugs away. Take-away is a good option for simply taking food back to your air conditioned apartment to eat.
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