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BendixKing

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So the mosquitoes are out, have been out and Im wondering about the potential issue with using deet around my bow. Deet seems to be the only spray that actually somewhat works up here (interior Alaska). A coworker mentioned he bear bates with Thermacell.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Just don't get any on your hands or the finish on the bow.

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Im not too concerned with the finish, just the string and cables to be honest. But yeah, definitely not on the hands. Just have to invest in some mosquito proof gloves thin enough to shoot with
 
I have a Thermacell and it works well. The pads dont last as long as advertised, that is my only gripe. Sawyer insect repellent is good as well. They used to make a scent free option. I don’t know if they still manufacture this or not.
 
Im not too concerned with the finish, just the string and cables to be honest. But yeah, definitely not on the hands. Just have to invest in some mosquito proof gloves thin enough to shoot with
I've sprayed down with DEET many times before turkey hunting. It is important to keep it off all surfaces of the bow. DEET dissolves some plastic finishes in a bad way. If it gets on some, they stay gooey for a long time. I'd definitely keep it off strings and cables too, because I just don't know what it might do. I've had a good pair of polarized sunglasses get ruined just by catching some DEET in the wind. It left tiny permanent spots on the plastic coating on the lenses where each tiny beed of the spray dissolved that plastic.
 
I've sprayed down with DEET many times before turkey hunting. It is important to keep it off all surfaces of the bow. DEET dissolves some plastic finishes in a bad way. If it gets on some, they stay gooey for a long time. I'd definitely keep it off strings and cables too, because I just don't know what it might do. I've had a good pair of polarized sunglasses get ruined just by catching some DEET in the wind. It left tiny permanent spots on the plastic coating on the lenses where each tiny beed of the spray dissolved that plastic.
I went to Alaska fishing years ago and had some Deet leak onto a plastic box with some lures the Deet melted the plastic since then I will not put that stuff on my skin.
 
In Vietnam, all we had was 100% DEET. It's a wonder some of us are still around. Nast stuff but it worked on those bitey insects and leaches.
 
I found a product called ranger ready bug spray. I’ve been using it for about a year it works great for me. I get the unscented and it doesn’t have the grease feel when applied to the skin. I would recommend trying Ranger Ready
 
I also use a Thermacell a lot, lucky those little buggers have not been bad at my house for a few years. Was up in Northern Wisconsin in Early June and they were terrible. I refill all my gas bottles for over 5 years and have found nock off pads for a great price. I got mine off e-bay and Amazon, but not sure if they sell them any more. Walmart sold them not long ago.
Ches.
 
This is what you want. It's the best I've used for every biting insect by a long shot.

back in the day that's what we used in the Marine Corps, although back then there was only the scented variety which was pretty easy to detect, but at least you weren't getting bit by every flying critter.
 
I work on wetland restoration have used many products for keeping mosquitoes and ticks off.
The permethrin is great for clothing and the ranger ready or sawyer work but has to be 20% picaridin. The picaridin won’t mess with finish or make rubber on Bono’s or other equipment sticky like deet. I think it’s the alcohol that is in deet products that messes with equipment. 15 years on wetlands and this has been the best for me.
 

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