Question:
I have been using 3m's ultrathon insect repellent cream for over 5 years and
it is the best stuff I have found to date (better than sawyer's version).
It is 31.58% Deet is a controlled release cream formulation. It really
lasts for 6+ hours. I knew someone who worked at 3m and he gave me a tube
to try; said it was developed for the military--which apparently is true.
He used to buy it at the 3m company store in St. Paul. 3m was never very
good at marketing it and eventually let AMWAY do it for them. They didn't do
well either; it was greatly overpriced (like $8 or $9 a tube!). Well, 3m is
trying again--maybe west nile is a good thing--I have seen the spray version
(which I believe is less than 30% DEET) in Walmart for less than $4 a can!
The cream has been available from some guy on the net (overpriced) and I
have seen it off an on at many of the outfitters in the Ely, MN area (BWCA).
I prefer the cream because it packs smaller and lighter. But the spray is
easy to apply--on skin only, don't waste it on your clothes where it doesn't
do anything. I've found that a small patch or streak of it on a forearm or
back of neck is effective, I don't need to cover an entire appendage.
Seems to me that it's not about how much deet is in the bottle, it is about
how much remains on your skin after a period of time. Put a lot of deet on
and the initial concentration of vapor near the skin will be higher (not
necessarily more effective) and take longer (due to absorption into the
surface layers of the skin) to evaporate (a good thing). Use a controlled
release form (spelled: ENCAPSULATED) and get the same results with less deet
AND less risk of absoption.
You can use low concentration DEET products and reapply them frequently or
use an encapsulated product.
Check out their website:
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/home_leisure/-/node_FPX8LHQH...
ot_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSHCV1ZFXKge/gvel_P1JHWTRVW1gl/theme_us_homeleisure_3_
0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html
It's been a long time coming for this product to be readily available and
cost effective. Get over to your local wal mart and try it now.
Answer:
REI is currently selling 2oz. of the lotion for $6.99; they also have the
aerosol version.
I'm going to give it a try this summer for skeeters; I'm hoping it is as
effective as the 100% liquid I normally use
