Peru and Peruvian Amazon
 

We are considering a trip to Peru in July with a few days in the Amazon area. My daughter is like an "insect magnet" in the United States. What experience have people had in Peru while using heavy duty DEET? I realize your responses are just anecdotal.

I dislike DEET and so use picaridin (aka icaridin) products instead, and they have worked extremely well for me when applied properly --- and without it, I'm one of those insect magnets. This CDC website, and the links it provides, might prove useful:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowb...her-arthropods

If you haven't already done so, you might want to consult a physician about anti-malarials and other possible health measures to consider before visiting the area.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destina...eler/none/peru

I didn't go into the Amazon, but I did spend a delightful month in Peru. You might find some useful information in my report:
https://www.fodors.com/community/sou...untry-1655521/

I usually use 50% deet and reapply regularly day and night. Last time in the Amazon even this had very little effect and every morning I woke with countless bites! Covering up is really the only solution but not really practical in that heat and humidity.

I have tried other options like Picardin etc but ended up getting malaria when I tried that.

make sure to consult your doc re vaccinations in plenty of time- not just yellow fever , typhoid and hepatitis, but even the basic childhood ones should be up to date

I don't mean to question catch23's experience, but the research suggests that proper application of DEET or a picaridin-based insect repellant is, as a rule, extremely effective.

Wearing protective clothing, preferably treated with permiethrin, is also a very good idea. For some lightweight and very comfortable clothing options with added sun protection, consider Coolibar.

Again, check he CDC website. Here's another relevant link:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites

Then don’t! My comments are based on extensive personal experience of visiting rainforest areas all around the world from Africa to Asia to South America. Of all of those areas, the Amazon basin was by far the worst.
If concerned about getting bitten then I would strongly suggest pick a lodge with air conditioning. At least that way, you can reduce the problem, if only at night.

Was in the Peruvian Amazon 4 nights in October. Saw 1 mosquito and had no bites. No repellant used. Maybe that’s unusual.

DEET is safe at any strength.

That would seem to me to be an overgeneralization. For example, the CDC website notes that DEET should only be re-applied as indicated on the specific product's label and DEET interferes with sunscreen effectiveness, so there would seem to be at least some risk at any strength. Perhaps tom_mn can direct us to a legitimate scientific source for this statement? Otherwise, I would think readers should view it with a healthy dose of scepticism.

How exciting that you are thinking of visiting Peru and the Amazon rainforest!

I believe I have had better luck with Picaridin over DEET. I am also usually a mosquito magnet but have noticed fewer bites since I started using products with Picaridin and did not get bitten when I was in Peru's Amazon jungle. It may be that different products work better for different people.

Where are you thinking of visiting? I can't remember if the lodges where we stayed had mosquito netting or not but that would be worth checking.

I agree with consulting with your MD about protection against malaria and other diseases.

Last July, we spent roughly a week in the Peruvian Amazon (near Puerto Maldonado), and while the bugs were extremely thick, it was easy to deal with because we were well prepared. We used a 30%-40% DEET spray, and we reapplied in the morning and evening — this worked well for me, and even better for my partner who, of course, also attracts every single mosquito in the hemisphere.

Light long-sleeved shirts and loose pants really made a difference too. Some lodges have their own mosquito nets and fans, which help keep bugs away at night. If your daughter is prone to insect bites, maybe you can also pack a picaridin bug spray as backup. Picaridin is less harsh on her skin and still seems to work quite well.

But overall, it is worth it – seeing monkeys and macaws and sunsets on the river was way better than any bug bites!