Princeton Tec Quest headlampsI think this is something new. This post is for those of you who attract mosquitos.
The insect repellent Cutter has a new product made from a chemical called "Picaridin." You can find it at Walgreens in a blue bottle called "Cutter Advanced." Consumer reports did a review of it this month. This is not DEET. Picaridin, in my opinion, smells like an old dirty t-shirt. Or maybe some stale roasted peanuts. It is definitely not as offensive as DEET. It feels almost like baby-oil, but you barely notice it is on you. I don't know if it works. Has anybody tried it in the deep piney woods of East Texas? Another company, Repel, makes a DEET alternative, called "Lemon Eucalyptus." I guess it wouldn't surprise you to learn that I just sprayed one on the left hand and one on the right hand. The new picaridin is much better as far as feel and smell. The lemon eucalyptus is more oily and smells about 1/2 the smell of Pine-Sol cleanser. It is possible that the lemon eucalyptus last longer and is safer for the skin, at least that is my guess. I wonder if you mix the 2, will you get a stronger repellent? Any chemist out there? David
