Testimonials: What works

Every outdoor enthusiast has a favored antibug technique. We asked REI sales associate Rick Granstrom, a 30-year employee and store guru, for an overview of what's available.

For the most dependable coverage, Granstrom recommends a combination of clothing treated with permethrin along with the use of DEET on exposed skin. "It's your best defense against the pesky little critters," he said. A newer chemical alternative is Picaridin, which doesn't smell as much or melt synthetic fabrics.

He suggests reading labels carefully to see which bugs will be deterred; for example, DEET discourages mosquitoes but not flies, he said. Some "advanced" or "plus" products contain additional ingredients to repel biting flies and gnats.

A higher DEET percentage won't discourage more bugs but will last longer without reapplication. Another option for longer protection is to use a controlled-release formula.

Folks who dislike chemicals can opt for long sleeves and head nets.

More tips from local hikers:

"In an effort to minimize the amount of bug stuff and sunscreen that I use, I hike in long sleeves and long pants. Lightweight white polypropylene long johns under my shorts don't seem to get too hot for me and do keep the casual bugs off. I wear a hat with an attached neck scarf to keep the sun off my neck. When bugs are around, I spray or smear bug stuff on the hat brim and the neck scarf. This creates a cloud of bug stuff around my head to keep the annoying buzz out of my ears and the creatures away from my face and eyes.

"If bugs are really bad, I will also apply the repellent to my clothing. My preference is Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, in spray or a tube. Recent tests have shown that it works for six-plus hours. (I was very happy with it even before the test results came out last year.)

"I have tried Ex Officio's Buzz Off shirts and have also treated my own clothes with permethrin. The shirts seem to work (bugs don't land on the fabric), but they don't protect any exposed skin, so you need to be prepared to apply repellent to those areas."

— Amy Mann, chairwoman of the hiking/backpacking committee for The Mountaineers' Tacoma branch

"I'm a believer in chemicals. There is some natural goop on the market, but I'm not taking any chances. I know what works for me, and am not willing to try anything else. I like Sawyer's brand bug dope; it's time-released and nongreasy. I've used it since the only place you could find it was the pharmacy at the UW. It's sold everywhere now. This is for mosquitoes and no-see-ums. No dope on the market will deter black flies.

Wear loose-fitting clothes; some polypropylene shirts are too closely fitted, and the mosquitoes will bite where the cloth lies across your body, like your shoulders and shoulder blades. I buy larger shirts, and bring a light rain jacket or windbreaker to toss on when I'm at camp or resting. I keep my long pants tucked into my socks when I'm at camp so the bugs can't fly up the legs. Despite what the warnings say on bug dope, I do slather it on my clothes — they haven't melted yet. I put it in my ears, and smooth it on my hair."

— Kim Brown, Seattle, member of Washington Trails Association

"I do not usually wear bug repellent — I don't do well with chemicals on my skin. I don't wear anything perfumed, and keep my clothing colors light. I also avoid anything with smells when out. This seems to help. For my 8-year-old son, if it is really bad, I will use Burt's Bees natural bug spray. But usually he just wears long-sleeve T-shirts and pants."

— Sarah Svien, Maple Valley, co-founder, Pacific Northwest Hikers