Going to Alaska this year. I hear that the mosquitoes are really ferocious. Are there any supplements, herbs, etc. that will repel the nasty critters? Mosquitoes LOVE me, and I don't want my horses devoured either. Was thinking about buying a bee keepers hat. Is the mesh fine enough to keep the mosquitoes out?
Posted 2014-03-31 7:33 PM (#158362 - in reply to #158356) Subject: RE: Alaska
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
It just depends on where you are at and time of year. I've seen terrible mosquito's and I've spent many hours fishing with no mosquito's. But I don't think they were any worse than some bad days in the wilderness areas of Utah and Wyoming.I think the worst panic attack of my life was when I was attacked by a swarm of white sock gnats near Soldotna AK. Little no-seeums that had painful bite. And they just covered me.Take a good bug spray. Where clothing that covers your skin. The bug spray kept the mosquito's from landing and biting, But they hover in front of your face and you inhale them as you breath or talk. That bothered me more than the few bites I got.I've never had my horses in Alaska, But I assume they would appreciate a good fly sheet to help keep the bugs off along with a good bug spray.
Posted 2014-03-31 10:54 PM (#158367 - in reply to #158356) Subject: RE: Alaska
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
In the upstate part of NY, Spring time in the Adirondacks includes hoards of no-seeums. Any out door activity is greatly restricted by their attacks. Many people will wear western styled hats with a built in netting, that settles around your shoulders and chest areas. They have a very fine mesh that is made for no-seeums, as the bugs can easily penetrate standard insect barriers.
They are sold there locally in hardware stores, and if I'm not mistaken, by many major out fitting chains as well.
Posted 2014-03-31 11:23 PM (#158368 - in reply to #158356) Subject: RE: Alaska
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522 Location: Tucumcari NM
I am going to follow the snow north, starting in mid may, spend the summer, and head back south in the fall. Plan to take my time and just enjoy the trip. I am finally free to do what I want when I want and I plan to take full advantage of that. I will send updates along the way.
Posted 2014-04-01 5:10 PM (#158382 - in reply to #158356) Subject: RE: Alaska
Veteran
Posts: 186
search "head net mosquito" bee keepers net will not work where you are going. Buy some for your horses head. Also the underbelly of the horse will have to be coated with some type of grease then repellent. Higher elevation is your best bet, I drove from Michigan to Alaska in June July Fairbanks - Anchorage I don't remember the insects being that bad, but it was a dry year did not do any riding.
Alaska
