Black Flies in the northeast

Brunt Tornton wrote:nah you just smoke it

DEET? What color are the elephants?

1. stop bathing. period. I bathe about 1x/2-3 weeks and NEVER have a problem with bugs. I go to pway in the summer no problem.
2. eat more onions and garlic
3. permetherin clothing - it's the best, even just a permethrin hat will keep most of the bugs away.
4. take some allegra. you'll get bitten but you won't notice it. black fly and mosquito bites are actually a histamine (allergic) mediated reaction, so take some antihistamines and you'll be fine. no welts, no itching.

You must smell awesome, I mean awful!

No wonder no bugs bother you. Guaranteed no one else bothers you either!

Hey, when you're camping and climbing, who cares? Professional/work life is a different story.

caesar.salad wrote:4. take some allegra. you'll get bitten but you won't notice it. black fly and mosquito bites are actually a histamine (allergic) mediated reaction, so take some antihistamines and you'll be fine. no welts, no itching.

This is utter BS. No over the counter pill on the planet stops bug bites from getting itchy. The best you can do is topical creams that help reduce the itch, and yes antihistamines help slightly to alleviate some of the itch but they are by absolutely no means a "fix". [the topical creams are better at this, but for a shorter duration]

And just in case anyone else reads the whole "don't bath for a week" crap and is too stupid to realize the consequences for this behavior in the northeast - DON'T DO IT! The amount of sweat and crap accumulating on your skin guarantees some type of rash/issue, especially being active and unkempt. The true dirtbag lifestyle works much better out West in the arid climate.

Caesar - go back to the kitchen where you belong.

Kevin Heckeler wrote: This is utter BS. No over the counter pill on the planet stops bug bites from getting itchy. The best you can do is topical creams that help reduce the itch, and yes antihistamines help slightly to alleviate some of the itch but they are by absolutely no means a "fix". [the topical creams are better at this, but for a shorter duration] And just in case anyone else reads the whole "don't bath for a week" crap and is too stupid to realize the consequences for this behavior in the northeast - DON'T DO IT! The amount of sweat and crap accumulating on your skin guarantees some type of rash/issue, especially being active and unkempt. The true dirtbag lifestyle works much better out West in the arid climate. Caesar - go back to the kitchen where you belong.

Guideline #1: don't be a jerk
Guideline #1: don't be a jerk
Guideline #1: don't be a jerk
Guideline #1: don't be a jerk

Hey, you asked. I'm just saying what works for me. Different strokes. You don't have to be a jerk.

caesar.salad wrote: Guideline #1: don't be a jerk Hey, you asked. I'm just saying what works for me. Different strokes. You don't have to be a jerk.

Someone else asked.

You're a jerk for posting useless crap. Just because you do it doesn't make it useful, safe, or otherwise beneficial to humanity. I'm coming down hard on you on the off chance you'll think before posting next time. Pseudo science was joked about just a few items up and you posted more of it. Gee thanks.

Worth noting - Permethrin supposedly works but I have no personal experience with it. I think the cost and short longevity of effectiveness (it washes/wears off quickly from clothing) has kept me using deet. They do sell sprays that could be used to recharge clothes:

sawyer.com/products/permeth…

Kevin Heckeler wrote: This is utter BS. No over the counter pill on the planet stops bug bites from getting itchy. The best you can do is topical creams that help reduce the itch, and yes antihistamines help slightly to alleviate some of the itch but they are by absolutely no means a "fix". [the topical creams are better at this, but for a shorter duration] And just in case anyone else reads the whole "don't bath for a week" crap and is too stupid to realize the consequences for this behavior in the northeast - DON'T DO IT! The amount of sweat and crap accumulating on your skin guarantees some type of rash/issue, especially being active and unkempt. The true dirtbag lifestyle works much better out West in the arid climate. Caesar - go back to the kitchen where you belong.

I was at the Bivy last week for six days. I didn't bath at the KV hostel til the afternoon before I left. We climbed all day everyday. My point is not bathing works for bugs and you won't get a rash or whatever. Try dirtbagging before you give advice or dismiss others.

Thanks, Bill.

So who is this Kevin guy? Is he another troll or just a general internet tough guy?

^^^^^^^^^^

Kevin's a decent guy. We all are guilty of beating our chests and talking a little smack from time to time. Come on.. It's Mountain Project!

caesar.salad wrote:Thanks, Bill. So who is this Kevin guy? Is he another troll or just a general internet tough guy?

I'm an asshole you should avoid at all costs, especially when you're trying to keep bugs away vagrant-style.

Bill/Caesar - just because you've gone some days without bathing with no consequences, doesn't make it smart or 'science'. Rashes and fungal infections are not something you want to take lightly. There's a reason people started bathing, and it aint just because of sex. Do what you want, just don't use your health insurance when you have to go to the dermatologist. My rates shouldn't be impacted by your stupidity.

Haha

We live in northern Minnesota and are reluctant scholars on the black fly question.

Good news: The bug-repellent clothing works: won't keep them completely away from you, but will deter them from landing or trying to fly up your nose.

A little more good news: DEET on your face and hands and ankles, not on your clothes and not year-round, works.

Maybe good news: the spray permethrin should work to rejuvenate the bug-repellent qualities of clothing you bought. It's the same stuff they're treated with when manufactured.

Bad news: nothing stops the little bastards completely. Well, maybe Old Woodsman's Fly Dope or the purported Scandinavian trick of rubbing oneself in fish oil, but those have serious social drawbacks.

Worse news: Since you have to breathe, they'll find you by your CO2.

Kevin Heckeler wrote: I'm an asshole you should avoid at all costs, especially when you're trying to keep bugs away vagrant-style. Bill/Caesar - just because you've gone some days without bathing with no consequences, doesn't make it smart or 'science'. Rashes and fungal infections are not something you want to take lightly. There's a reason people started bathing, and it aint just because of sex. Do what you want, just don't use your health insurance when you have to go to the dermatologist. My rates shouldn't be impacted by your stupidity.

Gimme a break! There's plenty of articles that shit can your claim that not bathing for about a week causes a trip to the doctor. But like the Trapps app I'm sure nothing I write will change your mind.

Oh since you're so dramatic.. f--k you and the insurance you rode in on.

"I'm an asshole you should avoid at all costs."

Finally, you've said something I can agree with.

Bill Kirby wrote:Oh since you're so dramatic.. f--k you and the insurance you rode in on.

I have articles that confirm Obama's a muslim secret op. Let's compare links!

I didn't say you *would* get sick, it greatly increases your chances of getting something funky. Jaywalking doesn't guarantee you'll get hit by a car, but the odds are the more times you do it the more likely you won't be as lucky as the previous time(s). That's called risk assessment. Is it worth not bathing for a week to find out?

Went from 'alright' to being told to fuck off in one reply. Sweet. Oh no, a stranger hates me. Get in line. Rather be hated than so transparent and boring no one even notices I'm there.

Hi guys :)

Only on Mountain Project could a discussion about black flies devolve into a shit show pissing match over bathing, Obama and Muslims.

Kevin Heckeler wrote: This is utter BS. No over the counter pill on the planet stops bug bites from getting itchy.

Kevin you are absolutely wrong on this point and Caesar is absolutely right on this point. Perhaps an apology, at least on that point would be inorder. My best to Val.

Bill

caesar.salad wrote:Hey, when you're camping and climbing, who cares?

Everyone else who has to put up with your stench.