butitsadryheat wrote:Yup, I have to apply it liberally and often, as something about my odor profile attracts skeeters like mad. DEET has shown to be less effective for me. Plus, it tastes terrible, whereas Picaridan smells nice(r), and when it drips down your face, it doesn't taste like a chemical.

I like DEET, but then again, I don't eat it!!!

Just got back from a trip in the Warners (NE CA). No mosquitos! Lots of flowers and plenty of snow and running water. It was very different from previous July trips there.

Kill em all I say! KILL EM ALL!!!

I've talked about this in years past, but if anyone comes across info that states eating tons of garlic will help just ignore it. I was with a large group that tried this back in 2006 (monster skeeter year) and we got eaten alive. We brought one little tube of deet as backup. Bad move...

Love the garlic but... I use Picardan for the face and that with a head net works good. NOLS says that Deet at 40% is just as effective as 100% and that what I use on my arms and legs. I also hate them damn pests but sitting in a screened tent as the sun sets with beverage in hand at 10,000 feeet........pricelesss.

Vladislav wrote:Any info on Mammoth Lakes, Agnew Meadows, Lake Ediza?

Horrible at Agnew, Ediza was much better but they're still there...

Tis the Season!

I like the O.R. Spring Ring myself .. yes, they can get that bad. Wait until later this month ..

A headnet is also useful against the gnats and flies that come out during warm weather (ie. late spring through early fall) in the Ventana Wilderness and some other nearby areas. Not so much when you are on the move -- more when you are cooking dinner or otherwise stopped.

Surprisingly, not too many in Mammoth area, and Convict lake fri-mon. And light winds too boot. Very surprised they werent out in full force, but a nice change.

I brought the bug juice, and a head ring, didnt need either. But its in the bag for good this year We were lucky...

> It will get so bad that one will require a head net?!? OMG

I wouldn't think of heading out into the Sierra in June/July w/o a headnet in my pack. They weigh almost nothing and when you need one you *really* need one.


http://www.fedak.net/photos/EmigrantBac ... -full.html

UGGHHHH!!!! fedak!!! That's the most horrific photo I have ever seen!

NancyHands wrote:back in 2006 (monster skeeter year) and we got eaten alive. We brought one little tube of deet as backup. Bad move...

2006 was a terrible year. Not the best time to do the JMT as I discovered afterwards.

BTW- Spent 4 days out of Onion Valley this past weekend. Amazingly never needed any DEET. Was on the move at the trailhead, but really didn't notice too much activity. Camps past Kearsarge were mosquito free if you chose wisely. Even Vidette Meadows wasn't enough to warrant application at mid-day (probably would have been at dusk).

There weren't any mosquitoes between the Red Lake Trail and Split Mountain this weekend. There were black flies at Red Lake, but they were just a slight annoyance.

Oh- nearly forgot- no mosquitos, but the summit of Mount Keith was swarming with ladybugs two days ago!

All over me, flying in my face, mouth, crawling all over. But no bites!

Tahoe area report.
Very few mosquitoes in Granite Chief wilderness and from Spooner Lake to Snow Valley Mtn. Multiple swarms at Granite Lake and Maggies Peaks. Looks like it is bad anywhere in Desolation.

Tuolumne last weekend was getting pretty bad in the campground but they were non-existant at the climbs. They were absolute murder on Lee Vining Creek on the way back to Saddlebag Lake on Sunday!