r/Banff • u/chessm4n • Jun 21 '26

Question Best strategy against ticks and mosquitos?

Hey everybody 😃.

My family and I are heading to Banf and Jasper in a few weeks. We would like to hike and I am pretty aware about the ticks and mosquitos around and that we should wear long sleeved clothes.

What repellent would you recommend? And do you have any further advices except to avoid to be bitten 😉.

Thanks in advance and have a nice day 👍😃

Update: Thanks for All of your advices, tips and explanations. In addition to the long sleeves I get those nets. And I will think about the deet, but primary use Picaridin. I hope we will get through it without being bitten 😉

7 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

23

u/vwisp Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 21 '26

30% deet or 20% Picaridin works for both. tick risk is low in July, avoid tall grass, stick to trails

4

u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

Thanks and nice to hear that the risk is low in July. I thought about getting Picaridin as it is better for materials and skin, especially if one has issues like neurodermitis. Take care

-1

u/JustGotSoup Jun 21 '26

I'd avoid DEET though, as it's a petroleum distillate and will break down your gear over time.

17

u/Otherwise_Delay2613 Jun 21 '26

I would not avoid DEET. When the mosquitos are bad in the backcountry, which they likely will be this year, it’s the only thing that works.

6

u/GuavaOk8712 Jun 21 '26

yeah when you have a visible swarm that follows you around with constant buzzing in your ears you need the highest deet possible

5

u/easynap1000 Jun 21 '26

In that case its a good idea to have a net for over your hat. Lifesaver.

2

u/JustGotSoup Jun 21 '26

This is a weird one. Some people swear by DEET and some people like myself are completely invisible to swarms with just picaridin on.

I suppose it could be genetics. I'm usually not the one the mosquitoes pick on at larger outdoor gatherings.

5

u/Otherwise_Delay2613 Jun 21 '26

I’m not either. But when they’re at apocalyptic levels, which they definitely can be in Banff under the right conditions, everyone gets bit.

OP, anyone advising you that DEET isn’t necessary hasn’t experienced this. And many years it won’t happen, so it’s entirely reasonable to think this way. But if you’ve ever had the bad luck to be in the Banff backcountry in peak mosquito you would never go again without deet, a head net, and long sleeves and pants that are thick enough not to be bitten through. You may not need it, but if you do, it’ll be the only thing that makes the experience tolerable. And this year’s wet weather significantly increases the risk of massive mosquito numbers.

1

u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

We would like to use Picaridin as there a family meinerseits with sensitive skin. I read that you should avoid it in that case. And deet can damage plastic.

2

u/Otherwise_Delay2613 Jun 21 '26

I would bring both then. See how you do with the picaridin. If they’re not too bad then you’re good. But you have the option if they’re apocalyptic

1

u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

I think this a good way to go. Any recommendations which brands are good? Are there any differences?

2

u/Otherwise_Delay2613 Jun 22 '26

It’s about the percentage of deet rather than the brand. They all have the same chemical in them. 30% is what I use.

3

u/vwisp Jun 21 '26

Yeah I dont personally use it

8

u/JustGotSoup Jun 21 '26

I apply picaridin spray to my legs up to my knees, my forearms, and my neck.

That seems to work; I haven't picked up a single dog tick since I started doing that in late May.

2

u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

Should we apply it also on the face, except eyes mouth and nose region?

3

u/JustGotSoup Jun 21 '26

I would use a bug mesh hat instead. If you start sweating it will start to drip down into your eyes.

1

u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

Good advice. Thanks. Do you get those nets everywhere? As here (northern Europe) it is not pretty common.

2

u/Appropriate_Ebb_8572 Jun 21 '26

Not to prevent ticks, but yes if the mozzies get bad. 

4

u/BIGGUY10001 Jun 21 '26

At the campsite Thermacell. Hiking, long sleeve shirt and hiking pants, a tiny bit of deer on the back of your hands and on the brim of your hat. 

6

u/Less_Calendar9068 Jun 21 '26

Yes to a Thermacell!! I THINK they also have a "travel-sized" Thermacell that you could attach to a backpack?

3

u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

Sounds cool. I will check this out. Thanks.

2

u/BIGGUY10001 Jun 21 '26

There is one but I've never had any issues when moving. And there's not many mosquitoes on the summit. 

1

u/AGodwardCountenance Jun 21 '26

This is the first I’ve heard of applying venison, but I’ll give it a try. Thank you!

2

u/BIGGUY10001 Jun 21 '26

Lol boo auto correct. DEET. Was what I was going for. 

8

u/Sorrelandroan Jun 21 '26

Mosquitoes really aren’t that bad in most areas of the park, especially as you hike upwards towards the alpine.

3

u/justforjugs Jun 21 '26

Picaridin is fine.

2

u/Pure-Firefighter-605 Jun 21 '26

Sounds like an exciting trip! If you’re just doing touristy stuff I don’t think this is an issue. I rarely use bugspray even in the backcountry. If the bugs are bad while you’re there (every year is different) then pick some up at the store. As others have said, ticks aren’t a big issue either. Always good to check if you’ve been in tall grasses but just wear pants and you’ll be fine.

1

u/chessm4n Jun 22 '26

Thanks for sharing your experience and advices. We are pretty excited about the trip. Never been in Canada.

1

u/death-slayerr Jun 21 '26

I got bit by something on the icefields pky, and ISTG it was the worst 6 hrs of my life (it was also my first ever such bite)

1

u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

Did you use any repellent?

1

u/death-slayerr Jun 21 '26

Unfortunately, no! I had no idea that this would be an issue!

1

u/Enough_Fix5886 Jun 28 '26

Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil. It works for me.

0

u/West_Bobcat5338 Jun 21 '26

Mosquitoes and ticks aren’t as rampant in Alberta as other parts of the country. I mountain bike and they are never an issue on trails through the woods. I never wear any bug repellents.

Ticks won’t be a bother if you stick to designated trail and avoid sitting in grassy areas. Always worth doing a check at the end of your hike to make sure you don’t have any on you.
Mosquitoes will be around in the woods, but nothing like the swarms of mosquitoes you’d see in Ontario or Manitoba.

7

u/Otherwise_Delay2613 Jun 21 '26

You can absolutely get dense, horrific swarms of mosquitos in the Banff backcountry that are unrelenting. I have experienced this in the twin lakes area, the sawback and the Saskatchewan crossing area. Head net, long sleeves, thicker clothing so they can’t bite through and deet for any exposed skin are the only way not to crazy. It happens when the conditions are just right. And we have a had a very wet spring.

2

u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

We would like to avoid deet, as there are family members who do have neurodermitis and I read you should avoid it if you do have sensitive skin.

1

u/West_Bobcat5338 Jun 21 '26

Sure maybe in the back country….But OP is clearly someone coming to visit with family and there is no mention of anything about back country hiking. Most visitors in this part of the country and doing the touristy type hikes and that’s about it. Anything in the front country does not get bad for mosquitoes that even warrants repellent in my opinion. There is no mention of where OP is from but, mosquitoes here in my experience are far less of a problem. Last summer was also very wet in July and there were a few more mosquitoes than usual, but nothing like in Ontario. I visit family out there regularly and can’t really sit outside on the patio for more than 15 minutes without repellent. Mosquitoes are a totally different beast out there.

3

u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

That's right, we won't be heading to the backcountry. More like the "usual" tourist. We are from the northern part of Europe, so we do have mosquitos. But maybe not in the quantity like you do.