Brand names include Natrapel 8-Hr Pump Spray, Sawyer Premium, Cutter Advanced, and Repel Smart Spray. A young man suffers a shocking allergic reaction after being bitten by a swarm of mosquitos. Still, there are some Alaskan river guides who have made the choice of switching to DEET alternatives even though they spend most of their time in areas prone to mosquito swarms. These areas are home to densely forested woods, marshes, bogs, and swamps. The following have been our trusty companions and so we would like to recommend them to you: DEET is, hands down, the most effective method of warding off your pesky neighbors in Alaska. Alaska Mosquito Season. Even during this time, people have reported that, if all the necessary precautions are implemented, the mosquito problem isn’t half as bad as it is rumored to be. We are planning a visit in late June. There are white socks and no-see-ums too, and they can be bad in some places. Or try Avon's Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard, which contains IR3535, an amino acid. ANSWER: To see Alaska in its most bug-free state and still take advantage of its warmer weather you should make your travel plans for late August and early September. Virginia – Over 30% of Virginia residents report using bug spray “all the time” in the summer months. Don't use scented soaps, lotions, or shampoos. Most mosquito repellent brands are now offering similar products since their formula was approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2003. Just ask researcher Jesse Krause, who just spent 78 days working at the University of Alaska … That’s before about the 20th of June and after the end of July. Wash it off as soon as you're out of mosquito land. Yes, the bugs might buzz around your ears but will quickly fly away as if you had an invisible energy barrier protecting you. You have some good options for bug protection in Alaska: No question, DEET is the most effective method of combating our pesky neighbors. Please try again. None of Alaska's mosquitoes are known to carry any disease, but they do leave itchy welts that can take days to go away. Also, keep in mind that Alaska's fall temperatures often start in late August. Muller Media LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. However, if you’re backpacking through a territory known for heavy mosquito swarms, then the 95% – 100% DEET will act as an unwavering shield against mosquito bites. To answer your question, mosquitoes are only an inevitable issue for Alaska visitors from the 2nd week of June until the last few weeks of July. The mosquitoes are generally worst where there is water, green leaves, and blood-filled animals. All you need to do is apply these odorless products on your t-shirt, pants, and hats to keep the mosquitoes away. It can last six or seven hours, but you'll find it doesn't last as long when you are sweating while hiking. You still might run into some in early September. It was a beautiful day in June of 2016. Mosquitoes aren't as active in rain. DEET is a strong chemical. Come and see how bad the mosquitoes are in Alaska in the summer and what is the best way to deal with them. Additionally, the formula can remain on your clothing for up to 70 launderings! Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. DEET becomes much more effective as its concentration increases from 0% to 40%. Well, June is probably one of the worst months for mosquitos - but they start coming out even before all the snow is melted, just as soon as it's warm enough. Fortunately, the bug problem is not so bad in most places where Alaska visitors spend time: Anchorage and other cities, parts of the Kenai Peninsula, above treeline and anywhere there's even the slightest breeze (which is most places). But if you’re backpacking in a heavy bug territory, 95%-100% DEET completely protects you. An increase in repelling strength beyond this concentration is hardly ever required. Answer 1 of 7: Hi all, Love this website for info on Alaska. Answer 1 of 10: Should we get a hats with mosquito nets or would the occasional use of Off suffice? https://weather.com/.../mosquitoes-are-really-bad-in-alaska-heres-why You can also buy the chemical itself and treat your own clothing. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights, Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!). Self-drive vacations. For instance, these humongous numbers are quite possible during a perfectly windless night around a moist tundra, Interior forest or a stagnant pond. Other than these areas, travelers rarely wander off to areas where large mosquito swarms are common – unless they are backpackers or adventure travelers. Even if you are visiting Alaska during this time, we would only suggest visiting parts around the Kenai Peninsula or Anchorage and its surrounding cities. Its formula consists of 20% DEET, which is added as a constituent of protein molecules. The mosquitoes can get so thick hikers have been known to … Follow the product directions—it WILL melt certain camera cases and jacket fabrics! Mosquitoes, sometimes jokingly referred to as the Alaskan state bird, are a fact of life during the summer travel season. If used with a sunscreen, apply the repellent 30 minutes to one hour after the sunscreen. 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