Ben's

It’s a subject that Deschutes National Forest trails specialist Chris Sabo says has been beaten to death with a stick: Mosquitoes are bad this year, much to the ire of Central Oregonians who wait months for summer trails to melt out.

And speaking of sticks, they might not be a bad idea, Sabo says.

Mosquitoes are so thick in places that a blunt object might do the trick. But most people will head into the wilderness with some sort of bug spray, perhaps matched with head nets and other protective gear.

At Bend’s Pine Mountain Sports, owner Dan McGarigle says his No. 1 bug repellent seller is Ben’s 30 percent insect repellent, which costs $12 for 4 ounces. Ben’s brand comes in various degrees of effectiveness, measured in percent of DEET strength.

DEET is the common name for a chemical that is most effective for repelling pests and is found in most bug sprays, including Off! The chemical is strong and lasts for hours, but often comes with that distinctive bug-spray odor. Also, be careful using it on delicate clothing; this is best for recreational activities.

But some people are sensitive to DEET or worry about its hazards or ability to damage clothing. For them, McGarigle recommends the All Terrain Herbal Armor bug repellents, which cost around $11.

At REI, the top-selling DEET product is the REI Jungle Juice 100, says product specialist Shannon Sands. The product costs $6.50 per 2-ounce bottle and contains nearly 100 percent DEET, making it strong and long-lasting.

The top-selling DEET-free bug repellent sold at Bend’s REI is Natrapel Naturals. The products cost $7 for 3.5 ounces and contain picaridin, a popular pest remedy in Europe, Sands says. Natrapel is supposed to be effective without damaging clothing.

Burt’s Bees makes a line of herbal bug repellent and Avon makes the popular Skin-So-Soft bug sprays and lotions, which fans have sworn by for decades.

Skin-So-Soft products smell better than the typical bug spray, and cost around as much as the DEET products: $10 to $14 per bottle. They might be a good option for an outdoor wedding or party at which you want a little bug repellent, but don’t want the scent to overpower other guests or stain your new silk shirt.

Avon representative Deena Cleveland, of La Pine, said she’s been a Skin-So-Soft user throughout her life, adding that the product’s effectiveness is from IR3535, a new EPA-approved mosquito repellent.

Cleveland says she uses Skin-So-Soft on herself and her dog. Avon products are available online at www.avon.com or through your local representative. The Web site has a search function for finding local representatives.

Other options

Other nontraditional bug repellents include wristbands, patches, clip-on fans and special clothing that is meant to prevent bug bites.

BugBand Insect Repellent, www.bugband.net, is a wristband infused with the essence of geranium flowers — geraniol — that mosquitoes supposedly can’t stand.

You may also try a patch — the Don’t Bite Me! Patch, www.dontbitemepatch.com — which uses vitamin B1 to stave off mosquitoes; the battery-powered Mosquito ’Cognito fan that blows bug-repelling oils into the air around you; or clothes that contain permethrin, a synthetic copy of another flower-based insect repellent, this time from chrysanthemums.

Other people, like Sabo, don’t need any chemical or plant-oil shower before heading out, proof that some people are just more tasty to mosquitoes than others.

“If they get really bad, usually I’ll wear … long sleeves, long pants and a head net, camp away from water, preferably on a ridge in a stiff breeze,” Sabo said. “Another option is to use mosquito-prone habitat in the mosquito off-season: September to April.”

Savvy picks

• Ben’s

Cost: $12

Active ingredient: DEET

• REI Jungle Juice 100

Cost: $6.50

Active ingredient: DEET

Non-DEET options

• All Terrain Herbal Armor bug repellents

Cost: $11

Active ingredient: Oil of citronella

• Natrapel Naturals

Cost: $7

Active ingredient: Picaridin, a popular remedy used in Europe.

• Avon’s Skin-So-Soft

Cost: $10-14

Active ingredient: IR3535, a new EPA-approved mosquito repellent.