Bushman repellent
Submitted: Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 14:21
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Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic)
Hi,
Has anyone used this stuff? it claims to be the only repellent that can work all day, trying to figure out some repellent to take along as there are a couple of people - ie Al and the kids who react badly to insect bites....not really sure if this stuff is any better than rid or aeroguard but would like some
feedback from anyone who may have used it..
cheers
Lyn
Reply By: Member - Andrew & Jen (Melb) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:19
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:19
Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa - at your age and with your sort of skin no mossie in their right mind would bite you..
As for your great grandchildren. We bought some Bushman spray and lotion. The spray on was 20% DEET and we used it on the kids but I think that DEET has theoretical problems in children and should only be used infreqently and sparingly.
There is also a cream type formulation which is 80% DEET and that was about $15 for 75 grams. It is very effective when used on exposed areas like around your ankles and wrists but I would not be keen to rub it all over you - leave that to Mr Al or Big W.
There were not that many mossies on this trip - the flies were more of a problem for us though when camped near water there might be a few about. Mossies need water to breed so I would expect them to be more of a problem on a
Cape York sort of trip rather than a central Aussie trip. In Northern Australia I guess they might be a problem for you.
I reckon that the best thing for bites is prevention and then for treatment it is cortisone cream and an oral anti-histamine.
For sandflies, the bushmans was mediocre in
Cape York we thought though we only used the 20% DEET sprayon.
Cheers
Andrew
AnswerID:
54684
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen (Melb) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:25
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:25
Ummmmm..... Just to clarify, Bushmans has sunscreen though it does not carry a SPF rating so I am not sure how effective it is. Sunscreen is most important and a cost effective and excellent sunscreen can be purchased from Big W - somehow the stuff about sunscreen was deleted from my post before I posted it.
Andrew
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:30
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:30
Hi Andrew,
I first read this and thought why on earth would a dept store chain want to rub insect repellent on me...[then I realised who you meant by Big W]..I'll ignore your comments about mozzies and my skin....hhahha..cheeky bugga! I always carry cortisone cream - Callum gets ecezma and it's the only thing that clears it up...and Al found that the only way to combat mozzie bites were to take anti-histamine....so I"ll be packing that as
well....shall get some of that bushman spray if the DEET levels are only low...read something today about an oral mozzie repellant...but I'm a bit dubious about that as I know nothing about it and I haven't been able to find too much info on it....
cheers for the info....
Lyn
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:34
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:34
Andrew...agreed Big W [the store, not the bloke...] has a great range of sunscreen, and I always carry loads of the stuff...- esp for Callum as he has tendency to get his gear off as you
well know...ahahahhaha
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Follow Up By: Willem - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 20:16
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 20:16
Mrs Al...........Get some Avon Bug Guard Mosquito Repellent. It is a moisturising spray and the active ingerdient is Citronella Oil. Pretty harmless stuff and it really works for me.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Jiarna (SA) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:23
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:23
Hi Lyn
DEET is not a nice chemical, but it is the best insect repellent yet discovered. In situations where there are a lot of insects (like
Oodnadatta at the moment) you need an effective repellent, not a "nice" one. Bushman's gel is 80% DEET so it works
well, but use it sparingly. For the kids, only use a tiny bit, and get them a fly net each. (My youngest is sensitive to DEET so she gets the fly net on its own)
Choice Magazine tested all the common repellents a while ago, and found DEET-based ones were a long way ahead of everything else. Aeorgard and Rid are also DEET-based, but have less active ingredient so you have to use more and end up with just as mich DEET on you to get the same effect.
Beware of a tablet formula called Moz-Rid - it is just Vitamin B12 and you can buy vitamin tablets for a fraction of the price. They don't work anyway, unless there are no insects!
Just my experience living with lots of insects in the Outback.
AnswerID:
54685
Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:32
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 16:32
Hi Jiarna...thanks for that...I read about mozi-rid today and I was very sceptical about it...I think I'll get some nets esp for the kids....partic Callum...
cheers for the info
Lyn
FollowupID:
316348
Reply By: Pete G - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 17:55
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 17:55
Lyn,
Have had some spray in the cor door for about 4 years and used it for the first time just recently against night bities (mozzies and sandflies)
It is also possible to purchase tropical strength Rid and Aerogard. hovever it is not always easy to locate in the cooler regions.
The Bushmans seemed to work fine for us.
Just as a point - if you spray it on clothing rather than the skin some of the side effects are prevented (assuming clothes are worn of course (LOL)). This has the benefit of stopping wash off by sweat.
About 25 yrs ago I spent a lot of time in the centre and in those days woke upto Aerogard and associated skin allergies.
We have also had some success with burning citronella oil in kero lanterns (can be a bit messy) - worked just fine over Xmas in Ntn NSW Rainforests. This of course does not provide on the move protection but 2 lamps seemed to work over an area 5m x 5m.
Regards
Pete G
AnswerID:
54695
Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:02
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:02
hi Pete
can get the tropical strength stuff here, and certainly would spray the stuf on clothes...though might be hard with my nudist son...and shall certainly get some citronella candles....
cheers
Lyn
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Follow Up By: Pete G - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:39
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:39
Lyn,
the citronella candleswe have tried where a bit of a dead lost but thay where from the cheapo
shop & only burned form about 1/3 of the time thay claimed
Regards
Pete G
FollowupID:
316362
Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:52
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:52
thanks Peter...I'll
shop around...have used the oil in the lantern thingeys [you know those tropical looking things] and they seemed to work ok
Lyn
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Pete G - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 19:16
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 19:16
Lyn,
Apologies for the spelling - Kids these days - I allowed my daughter to type the response - enough said (I will not disclose her age!!). Still these days I suppose they are taught to use the spell checker whereas we had to re-type the whole lot!!!.
I have had a little oil filled candle thingy filled (disposable) with citronella that is supposed to burn for about 3-4 hrs, however I only saw them once and bought one only - think it was not cheap. This is still unused in the tucker box so I cannot comment on it , however they are a bit easier to travel with compared to lanterns and oil.
For a week we used a Litre of oil (cost about $4 bucks) between the 2 Lanterns burning 4-5 hrs a night. The Cheapo
shop lanterns about $5 each were used - a little bit of wizardry (Mr Al is surely capable of this - I can explain if needed) is needed to trim the wicks so they burn properly - saves on gas or leccy and they provide sufficient light to track the fridge/esky down (unless you become too Bl___). Also helps you to see the stars easier for those romantic starlit dinners without attracting bugs.
What tracks are you planning - we are in NW NSW on the
New England Hwy - can give you a few local spots - not necessarily hardcore 4WD but good scenery all the same. Please send member message if interested.
Regards
Pete G
FollowupID:
316369
Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:02
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:02
Hello Mrs Al, and Andrew too,
I tried Bushmans once and it burnt all skin off my face. At least it felt like that.
We use, regularly, "OFF" Skintastic, for flies. I just squirt in a few spots, and it works through the bad fly periods. A child friendly brew is available too.
Its tops for flies, and not too bad for mozzies. This is Sandfliy Capital of Australia, after a flood, and it works on them too, but you cant beat long sleeves, and trousers.
Have a safe trip, you should be going to
Birdsville to see Ruth, to dispel any rumours Andrew may have passed on.
Hooroo...
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:05
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 18:05
Hi bob,
have been reading about Skintastic today, and it might be the go for the kids...esp Callum...
As to Andrew ....I think I may have to visit a few
places to dispel any rumours he may have passed on... :)))
cheers
Lyn
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen (Melb) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 19:27
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 19:27
Hey - how did I get dragged into this?
Bushmans was it Bob?- I thought that it might have been a bus accident that did that to your face.....hahahhaha.
Jen said I can't write that because she thought you had a gorgeous face Bob - now she is getting crosser.
Andrew
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen (Melb) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 19:28
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 19:28
They have all seen the real Maaaaaa photos up that way...... Might be time for another link on the
forum.. lol
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 19:32
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 19:32
I'm surprised it hasn't already happened..ahahhahahaa....
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 20:46
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 20:46
Fair go, I thought I had a nice smile. Wasn't a bus anyway, was a bitumen road in the Blue Mountains. Maybe thats why the Bushmans burnt??
Yeah, we saw the photos too...
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen (Melb) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 07:59
Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 07:59
Your complexion was very good for living up in the sun Bob. Now Maaaaaa - hers is suffering and she is down south. It probably looked rooly bad because of the association with the straw hat and tartan blanket. She has a Plaxo signature card that she sends with her emails that musta been airbrushed or maybe taken while she was in her 30's.
Fantastic time we had up your way, Bob.
Winton and
Longreach were terrific and we will have to go back and spend more time. Has given us a much greater appreciation of what life is all about up where you are.
Andrew
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 08:59
Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 08:59
Hi Andrew you forgot to mention that the camera had a soft focus lens too....heheehehehehe....and yes it was taken when i was in my 30's...and not so long ago I might add.... :)))
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew & Jen (Melb) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 09:03
Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 09:03
You had better not go on holidays looking like that coz no-one will recognise you. You'll have to live up to the image I have cultivated for you!! lol lol
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 10:56
Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 10:56
you are so kind!
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Reply By: William - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 21:32
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 21:32
Camping shops, Harvey Norman and I think BBQ Galore had a mossie thing advertised from memory for $45 that cost $12 to refill. The refill is supposed to
run for 10 hours, but I do not know if you could turn the thing off and on.
I think they worked on the CO2 system for mossies looking at the ads, but really have no idea.
Anybody try one of these?
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Cobra - Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 23:50
Saturday, Apr 17, 2004 at 23:50
After using Aeroguard, Rid etc without any success, we tried the Bushmans. Works like a charm for us and has done so for a few years. We use both the spray and the cream. First time I used the Cream was at
South West Rocks at a favourite fishing
spot that has sandflies, normally after a couple of hours I am covered in bites. The first time I used the cream I had two bites (think I missed a
spot), next time there were none. Basically, we only use it when we really need to and have not had an allergic reaction to it so far.
Definately worth a try, even if you only spray clothes, hats etc and not skin.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 09:02
Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 09:02
cheers Cobra...
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Reply By: Member - Bruce (San Diego) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 00:16
Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 00:16
Lyn,
Avon Skin-so-soft is a good alterative for kids, but doesn't stop them from buzzing around,
I my earlier days I was was involved in the trial work before OFF was registered to market and at that time (20 years ago) A?G was better than OFF in our trials.
The other thing we always carry is Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil, Its a natural antiseptic and aneasthetic, just a dap on any bites will take the sting straight out and stop it getting infected.
Bruce.
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 09:04
Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 at 09:04
Hi Bruce
shall get some gentle stuff for the kids, and I think some nets..I'm sure if we don't use them this trip there will be other times.
and Ive read about the Ti Tree Oil, could be worth getting..
cheers
Lyn
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Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Monday, Apr 19, 2004 at 09:57
Monday, Apr 19, 2004 at 09:57
Lyn
We have used the Bushmans Ultra.... it kept the midges/sandflies/march flies/flies/mozzies on Fraser at bay, usually all day! BUT it is strong stuff, and small amounts are all that is required. And test it first, we have met a lady who had a reaction to it, not pretty!!
We used the tube, because it's too expensive to have the spray going everywhere else but where you aim it!!
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Monday, Apr 19, 2004 at 12:58
Monday, Apr 19, 2004 at 12:58
Hi Brian,
thanks for that shall definitely be doing a patch test first, and definitely getting the tube rather than the spray
Lyn
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Reply By: Member - Bradley- Monday, Apr 19, 2004 at 14:12
Monday, Apr 19, 2004 at 14:12
Hi Lyn, you are probably totally confused by now, but here goes, My sister used to live in
Townsville and they swear by the 'off' product in the pump spray up there.
The future brother in law was in the army a while ago and they had some really good gear that he belives was the bushmans product minus the fragrance.
But i don't like chemicals too much ( bad industrial experience ) and a while ago was in Brunswick street in Melb and found a
shop which had a natural insect repellant using citronella and other goodies, it is a cream in a small bottle. I use it quite a bit and find it excellent against mozzies, euro's and others. It is in the jack at home, so i shall try to dig it out and get the name for you. It would be a good option for the kids.
Oh by the way regarding rum etc.. i'm sure you will have plenty of the glayva on board !!! cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Monday, Apr 19, 2004 at 14:33
Monday, Apr 19, 2004 at 14:33
Hi Brad,
I would be interested in knowing what the cream that you use is, I'm definitely going to get some "off" for the kids, some bushman's for Al, and I'd give the natural stuff a go on us all....
and yes, there will be some kind of liqueur scotch being brought along... :))
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