@DoomsdaysCW The avoidance advice here is solid. I would argue with the list of effective natural repellants — not because they aren’t somewhat effective, but because they simply aren’t effective enough. So long as DEET and permethrin are available, I’d prefer them as more effective.

Caveats: DEET is sometimes sold in stupidly high concentrations, like 98 percent. That’s way too much for your skin. 20-30 percent is adequate for a day outside. I still try to minimize DEET … 1/2

@DoomsdaysCW … because there is permethrin for your clothes. When I go out in tall grass, I’m completely covered with treated clothes, except for my face and hands. There are multiple ways to approach this, but I do not recommend DIY because it doesn’t last as long and the chemical is toxic to cats until dry. Getting your clothes treated professionally is cheap, like $10 per item.

If your budget is tiny, get permethrin-treated socks, tuck in your pants, and use DEET on skin and clothes. 2/2