[at-l] Bug Prophylactic

[rbenhameda@comcast.net (Rami)]

Dear Smoldering,

I have friend who's been spending summers in Central Ontario (straight up from Bruce Mines for about four hours in case your lookin' at a map) and she's been using Brewer's Yeast as long as I can remember.  The black flies and mosquitoes there are big and scary and some have been known to take on a big spider and win.  

Notice I did not say if it works or not.  I have no idea.  She swears by it ( and garlic and vinegar too) but I've seen her get bit before so it's not 100%.

The two things I've read which relate are both about odor.

First, flies gnats and skeeters are all attracted to the CO2 which is expelled when we breathe out.  Stop breathing and the bugs go away.

Second, something which has the ability to slightly modify the odor of the CO2 has basically the same effect.  Citronella is supposed to do this.  I can't stand the smell of Citronella so I wouldn't know if it works or not.

Good luck!

-r
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: cballs@mindspring.com 
  To: at-l@backcountry.net 
  Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 1:41 PM
  Subject: [at-l] Bug Prophylactic


  Has anyone taken Brewer's Yeast mixed with the beverage of your choice for a week before going into the woods as a method of keeping the mosquitos, gnats and bees away?  Did it work?  I wonder if lots of beer drank all at the same time would achieve the same thing?  This piece of wood's war lore was shared with me yesterday from a life long camper.  No, not THAT kind of camper, the tenting kind.

  If any of you even THINK of flaming me on this, I'm going to tell Ryan on you! Since there are mosquitos and gnats and great big man-eating hornets on the AT, I assume this question is on topic.  Beehave!

  The campfire is about to go out.  Whose woooden leg is this?  Shane, since you aren't using your clothes, can we have them?

  Smoldering Balls


  PS. I will pledge an additional $50 to the AT-L Good Behavior Fund, if someone else will match it within the next hour. Get busy! The time at the tone will be 2:45 pm EDT.
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