Going to St. John first couple weeks of May. I've seen several types of bug rep. Some have 30% Deet, others have 100%. What should I buy!?? Thanks, all!

There are extensive discussions, personal opinions, and anecdotes on insect repellents on this forum. You can find them by typing <deet> into the search box.

But if you want good advice, you should look into reasonable studies, such as that in Consumers Reports of May 2003. The best they rate is 3M Ultrathon.

Thank you Jed! I did actually do the search, and read many posts. Since people's opinions vary so much, I thought I'd ask again, to see if there is any succinct opinion out there, or if things have changed, ie new products, etc. (I'd prefer to use less DEET, is the thing. BUt if I need it, I'll use it.)
(I've never seen that brand, by the way. BUt I'll look for it on the web.) Thanks again!

The best I've ever used in the Caribbean is 24% DEET -- it's called Mosquito Milk (Belgian made & available widely in the islands). 8 hour protection (why I'm a fan) from mosquitoes & sand flies -- it literally saved a vacation in St. Barts (spouse was ready to get on a plane outta there). Nice odor & it's a roll-on, not a spray.

FYI - Ultrathon, <http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/ultrathon/> is 33% DEET in the lotion, 25% in the aerosol. We use the lotion, which was rated in CR.

You should use the lowest effective concentration. SOme people seem to draw the buggies more than others so what works for you may not be what works for someone else.

In NH, which has a brutal black fly and 'skito problem in the early summer I use SkinTastic.

Also, DEET should never be put directly on a child's skin. Very bad. Spray on clothing rather than skin.

Deet in the high concentrations mentioned above can actually melt plastic . They say not more than 10% on children , and even then not longer than a 2 week period then a break because concentration builds up . For an adult I guess it is a judgement call and how brave you are with the deet % .

We used 100% DEET for many years until we switched to Ultrathon. As I remember, it came in a plastic squeeze bottle.

No doubt it is best to use the least concentration which will do the job. The same goes for any medication.

Check out <http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsh...s/deet.htm>

Wow - thanks again to all of you. I'm going to buy the repellent with lower concentrations of DEET. I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm not big into perfume or other fragrances - not that this is the only factor, but it should help. Peace!

Cooncat

Just a note: RickG leaves today for Maho Bay Camps. Hopefully he'll post a trip report before you reach St. John.

http://www.usvi-on-line.com/usviforum.html

The 3M Ultrathan is wonderful, and it lasts up to 12 hours. It comes in a green can or lotion tube. Look for it at WalMart, Target, etc.. Have fun.