"digitaldougb" wrote in message
...

I'm looking for recommendations for a bug spray that's:
1) odorless as possible
2) not gooey or sticky
3) preferably doesn't have Deet (which eats my watch crystal)
4) lasts for a couple hours at least
5) and keeps as many types of bugs away as possible.

Avoid gas-pressurized canisters, i.e. use a manual
pump (as supplied with some formulations of Off w/DEET.)
Do not attempt overall coverage straight from the spray
can, e.g. make two or four squirts at your head, then
smear the repellant around with your hands to coat
all exposed skin.

Spectacles and watch glasses are easily protected by
putting them in your pocket until repellant has been
applied and dried. Rod and line finishes are no less vulnerable
to DEET or its solvents: for this reason many anglers rinse
their hands to remove repellant from their hands.

DEET and citronella are what we rely on for blackfly,
mosquitos and deer flies, all severe hereabouts. For
the worst fly periods, we wear bug jackets (cotton
mesh, kept in a plastic bag, recharged with an ounce
or two of repellant once a month. We mix our own
from bulk purchases.)

All repellants are likely to seem sticky when first
applied, but we seldom know whether this comes
from the active chemical or the solvent/diluant.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)