To trail runners...mosquitos?

Len A. said:

Would like to hear what trail runners do about the
mosquitos, ( and other flying bugs)? Before each run I
spray my hat, arms and legs but the DEET washes off after
the 3rd mile of sweating and then they swarm. If I stop
for any reason I am covered with bites. Other than running
in a full body mosquito net I have no idea what to
do.Not running on trails would be a great sacrifice for my
dog and I.

Any suggestions?

Len

Keep moving!

I have the same problem, no good answer.

--
Bob Burns Mill Hall PA [email hidden]

"Len A." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Would like to hear what trail runners do about the
mosquitos, ( and other flying bugs)? Before each run I
spray my hat, arms and legs but the DEET washes off after
the 3rd mile of sweating and then they swarm. If I stop
for any reason I am covered with bites. Other than running
in a full body mosquito net I have no idea what to
do.Not running on trails would be a great sacrifice for my
dog and I.

Any suggestions?

In Basic Training at Parris Island we were issued Avon Skin-So-
Soft. The active ingredient is citronella. Mosquitoes
weren't nearly as big a problem there as the sand fleas. The
sand flea is the South Carolina state bird. They're tiny--I
mean almost invisible. And when they land on you and start
biting, it requires a herculean effort not to scratch, which
is something the Drill Instructors frown on when you're at
attention in formation.

Anyway, as I recall, Skin-So-Soft was very effective--and
you'd better believe I did a LOT of sweating there!

Where do you run, in a marshy area? I run through a semi-
wooded area here in sunny Florida, and mosquitoes have never
been an issue for me . . .

[email hidden] (Len A.) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Would like to hear what trail runners do about the
mosquitos, ( and other flying bugs)? Before each run I
spray my hat, arms and legs but the DEET washes off after
the 3rd mile of sweating and then they swarm. If I stop
for any reason I am covered with bites. Other than running
in a full body mosquito net I have no idea what to
do. Not running on trails would be a great sacrifice for
my dog and I.

Anysuggestions?

The answer is simple: Stop sweating you pig.

Karl:

No kidding the Marines actually issued Skin-So-Soft at
Parris Island? Damn! How about running shoes ... is that
issued also?

When I was in the military, a million years ago, we did not
have the luxury. Combat boots caused many blisters.

Anyway I will try some see if that works.

Oh by the way ... believe it or not I run in
Massachusetts... the spring has been very wet and maybe we
are just not use to it... the bugs I mean.

Len

"Len A." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Karl:

No kidding the Marines actually issued Skin-So-Soft at
Parris Island? Damn! How about running shoes ... is that
issued also?

This was '89-'90 that I went to boot camp, so my memory of
those sorts of details is a little hazy, but I don't believe
that I was issued running shoes. They were available at the
PX for recruits who didn't have any or whose shoes had worn
out. A lot of our running, especially toward the end of
training, was in boots.

Quoted message said:

When I was in the military, a million years ago, we did
not have the luxury. Combat boots caused many blisters.

Strangely enough, I didn't blister during runs, even when
wearing boots. The force marches--or "humps," as we called
them--were another story.

Quoted message said:

Anyway I will try some see if that works.

Please do, I'm eager to hear whether I've actually dispensed
some useful advice. In fact, go to the store TODAY and get
some SSS, go for a long, nasty run, and report back at once!

Quoted message said:

Oh by the way ... believe it or not I run in
Massachusetts... the spring has been very wet and maybe we
are just not use to it... the bugs I mean.

Our spring here in Florida has been unusually dry. Good for
keeping out the bugs, bad when you're trying to keep out the
brush fires.

Len A. said:

Karl:

No kidding the Marines actually issued Skin-So-Soft at
Parris Island? Damn!

FWIW, there's quite a bit of anecdotal evidence for the
efficacy of SKS on the net (whatever that might be worth). I
have personally seen it being very effective during last
year's Devil O the Highlands race last year when the midges
were the worst I've ever seen. Unfortunately, I didn't have
any SKS. :-(

I'm pretty sure that there's something other than citronella
in it BTW. Midges laugh in the face of citronella.

Tim

--
Remove the obvious to reply by email.

"Len A." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Karl: Anyway I will try some see if that works.

I find Skin-So-Soft is just ok. If you're a heavy sweater I
find you need to reapply frequently. Stay away from you
forehead else it will go in your eyes.

Quoted message said:

Oh by the way ... believe it or not I run in
Massachusetts... the

spring

Quoted message said:

has been very wet and maybe we are just not use to it...
the bugs

I

Quoted message said:

mean.

The other secret is not to stop or stop very briefly. 😉

I was running the Taconic( I'm sure it's spelled wrong)
section that borders Mass, Conn and NY and couldn't find a
fly one. Then again I may have stirred them up for you.

-DougF