Hi, I'm about to go on my first backpacking trip on the Ice Age trail in Chequamagon National Forest in Wisconsin. I bought some Repel brand 100% deet (actually 98.11%) from Target. I just opened it up, curious about how strong the smell is and the smell is almost nonexistant. I'm wondering if someone bought it, put it in a different bottle, filled it with water and returned it? It has a very faint bug spray smell, but nothing even close to as strong as the normal aerosol bug sprays you can buy. I would just go to Target and smell another one, but the nearest Target is 30 minutes away. Thanks for your help!

In my experience, DEET itself has no odor, it's the stuff it's diluted in that has a scent, if at all.

Don't think I'd sweat it.

Cheers,

I agree with Rick, it usually doesn't smell that strong.
A good test is to feel it. Squirt a little onto your finger tips and rub your fingers together, it should feel kind of oily, and "heavier" and more viscous than water.

I've used Repel 100 and also Deep Woods OFF, which is the same thing. These products are meant to be spread with your fingers and don't contain organic repellants like pennyroyal and citronella that supply scent to other pump spray repellants.
I was in clouds of mosquitos and no-see-ums in the Vt. woods a week or so ago. As wet as it has been it's horrific here. Without 100% DEET I wouldn't go. Another trip this weekend thanks to DEET. I cover as much as I can, but the tiny ones got inside of my beard and bit my chin dozens of times. Head net this coming weekend.



Charlie

As someone who tastes wines for a living, I would also point out that each of us is sensitive at different levels to different smells, and that appears to be hereditary.

So your sense of smell may be less sensitive ( or more so ) than others to DEET.

I'll second the head net. I've been in Wisconsin when the skeeters were so thick you'd choke on them trying to breath.

Good description. I checked the MSDS for DEET to snag the following (more than you ever wanted to know about...).



FWIW I prefer time-release versions over the hundred-percent option. The pure stuff can be harsh on my skin and seems to attack paint, plastics, fabric coatings...all sorts of gear. What I really hate is the taste, because I forgot to wash it off my hands before eating.

Ultimately, the bugs make the choice for us. I'm carrying more permethryn-treated clothing, which cuts back on my repellant use.

Cheers,

Thanks for the replies! It is a little viscous, so it appears that it is DEET.
FYI, Target carries 4 ounce bottles of 100% DEET for $8 in stores. That's the cheapest I've been able to find it, even after searching online.
When this is gone, I may try the time released stuff, but I've already bought this and I'm about to try making some DIY head nets since I have some tulle laying around. Thanks for the tips!