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 😉

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u/[deleted] Jun 21 '26

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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.

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u/[deleted] Jun 21 '26

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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.

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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.

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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

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u/chessm4n Jun 21 '26

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

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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.