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Hi All!

I keep hearing that deet in bug spray and other chemicals in sunblock can cause damage to camera and lenses. Is this true?

If so, are there alternate forms of bug repellants that work that won't cause damage to the finish or rubber on the cameras/lenses? I live in South Florida, and many of the mosquitos down here carry diseases so some form of repellant is necessary.

Elizabeth C.

Yes, the DEET in bug spray can melt plastic camera parts. One spray and an LCD cover can be ruined. Same goes for amphibians and insects. Alternatives = bugspray without DEET, buzz off clothing, etc.

Do you have any specific brands or types that you find useful?

I've been using Deep Woods Off for years now not realizing it could damage the equipment.

Any product that contains any amount of DEET will melt plastic camera parts and plastic lens parts. Once it makes contact, even the overspray, the damage is already done. If you try to wipe it off, you will smear and remove some plastic material. If you value any object made out of any kind of plastic material, then keep it far away from all products that contain any DEET. I have learned this from my own personal experiences and those of others.

EMartinPhoto wrote:
I live in South Florida, and many of the mosquitos down here carry diseases so some form of repellant is necessary.

I solved the mosquito problem by moving to Arizona.

Just out of curiosity what sort of diseases are carried by Florida mosquitoes, TIA?

Regards,

Joe Kurkjian

West Nile virus is the big one (quite common in mosquitos down here) as well as some other more benign diseases and skin bacteria. They also can carry some forms of flesh eating bacteria. Mosquitos are nasty little creatures.

I don't ever spray myself near my gear, however sometimes it gets on there because it's on my hands or drips from sweat. I have not noticed any damage on any of my gear, but I also don't want to damage it in the future.

I'll be in New Mexico in November so I'll get to enjoy the mosquito free life then Going for my first trip to Bosque November 19-27!

I have severe allergies - to both DEET and the anesthetics that some mosquitoes have. There are lots of "green" products that don't have DEET - Avon is a brand that's available most anywhere. Unfortunately, I find the natural products to be pretty useless. Get the buzz off clothing.

Agree with Joe, never found any non-DEET repellent that works if the mozzies are at all serious. DEET itself is horrible stuff but I continue to use it because it works. Did some shooting in virtual monsoon conditions on the prairies this summer, and would have been probably eaten alive and the bones carried off without DEET. I am very careful when using it around gear because of its corrosive quality on plastic & rubber. I haven't tried things like Buzz Off clothing... but probably will have to start looking into something like that to make DEET more of a last resort.

Repel and other manufacturers are making repellent with Picaridin. A 20% concentration worked well for me in the Alaskan interior this June. To my knowledge it does not harm plastics, I had issues with DEET melting parts of my N90s film camera many years ago.

BZ

I had a bottle of Deet spill on the hood of my car once and I didn't think to wash ot down. Two days later all the paint where it spilled was gone.

Ouch.

Don

Keep it off your hands and face and you'll minimize the chances of it contacting your equipment.

The 20% strength picaridin is required for effectivess; less does not work.
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=106&sid=1965046

Permanone is the product in protective clothing. You can buy it and apply it to your own clothing. It is not put directly on the skin (toxic). The application instructions must be followed for safety.

The healthiest solution is bug protective clothing without insecticide.
http://www.bugshirt.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Olive-Drab-Mosqui ... B000N4QJU8
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... =cat470134

No SeeUm nets can be dark for looking thru the viewfinder. Cut a hole for your shooting eye and affix a flap of netting over it that can be moved when shooting.

I swear by the Buzz-off clothes... I was out once with Chas and Tony on Eastern LI and they had bugshirts and I had Buzzoff on and they thought I would be attacked and I wasn't. BUt I can see where the bugshirts could be nice too.

If mossies are really bad I use Repel on my clothing which is permanone. Works very well for tick infested areas as well.

OFF has come out with Clip On units which I have purchased but haven't use so can't comment on effectiveness but they might be worth a try. http://www.off.com/clip-on-mosquito-repellent/

Cabela's also carries a camo bug suit which is great when you want both camoflage and bug protection.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... m23&Go.x=0

I've sprayed down clothes (hats, shirts, pants, socks) with Permethrin for a couple of different jungle/safari trips, and it's worked well for me. It's the same stuff they use in the Buzz Off clothes, and lasts through several washes. I still put deet on my neck and backs of my hands if the mosquitos are really bad and I'll be sitting still.

Deet is bad. Picaridin doesn't melt plastic and at least for some people is just as effective.

I will look into the Picaridin instead. Permanone works wonders for ticks. I normally spray that outdoors on my clothes before I put them on to avoid getting it on my skin. I use it whenever I am back in Tennessee hiking or biking around.

Thanks for the tips all!

I used the clip on last year and it was quite effective. Only does mosquitoes AFAICT, and is most effective if you aren't moving around.

I have never found any mosquitoe/tick repellent any good unless it contains Deet. I spray myself down only when necessary and never close to my camera gear. I than rinse the palm of my hands with water. I spend considerable time in bogs and prairies of Minnesota and the mosquitoes and ticks are thick as anywhere. I always recommend repellent with deet unless a person is allergic to that product. Even in 90F+ temperatures I use long pants, knee high boots, hat and thick long sleve shirts, so usually only necessary to spray face,neck and back of hands. With Lyme disease, etc. it is more important than ever to do your best to prevent insects bites.

As per David above..and I spend a bit of time in bug city!

I use Repel on my clothing which is permanone, and Deet when necessary (on skin only).

Apply the Deet to the top off hands and work it on exposed skin like a cat . Do not put it on your forehead, if you sweat it will go into yours eyes...blurry vision and excessive tearing will result.

If conditions allow I will always opt for my Elite Bug Shirt first.
FYI- we have the Elite Bug Shirts http://www.essentialphotogear.com/prodd ... ?prod=BGEE

Repel is fantastic for mosquito and tick, and is the exact same ingredient used in Bug-Off clothing
To use effectively... hang clothes on hanger outdoors and spray liberally with Repel, place in trash bag and seal for 1 hr, remove and hang to dry. I do my shirts, pants, socks and hat. Good for a number of washings.

Chas