🚀 go-pugleaf

Actually, there are three types of insect pests which are often
encountered in Northern Maine and Canada during the summer months.  They
are mosquitoes, black flies and no-see-ums.  The mosquitoes are usually
the LEAST worrysome since they respond to most insect repellants and are
large enough to see, so they can be swatted.  Black flies have biting
rather than sucking mouthparts.  Therefore, they leave nasty painful
wounds.  Black flies require a much stronger repellant, and even then
they tend to fly around one's head in a cloud.  By far the worst insects
(if they should be there in profusion) are the no-see-ums.  These insects
have a body the size of a large hair follical (sp?) and are therefore
impossible to see unless you really know what you're looking for.  The
first hint you usually have that they are around is when you start itching
and stinging all over.  Look for a skin pore with wings.  

N-Diethyl-Meta-Toluamide is very effective against all of these pests.
The problem is that it must be used in high concentrations to be effective
against black flies, and even higher concentrations for no-see-ums.  The
repellant I use is sold by Recreational Equipment Incorporated (Seattle)
and used to be called Jungle Juice (I think they call it something else
now).  It consists of 75% N-Diethyl-Meta-Toluamide and 25% inert
ingredients (alchohol, I think).  This stuff works well on all insects.
Eastern Mountain Sports used to sell something similar.  Almost all
insect repellants contain this active ingredient, so just read the labels
and look for the most potent one.  75% "Diethyl-Toluamide" is the strongest
I have found.

Caution--some people can have a skin reaction to this chemical, so try out
a little before you disappear into the wwilderness.  Also, the chemical
disolves some plastics, so always keep it tightly capped and sealed inside
a heavy polyethelene bag (most heavy-duty sandwich bags are fine).
Finally, when you are looking for repellants be informed that liquids, creams
and aerosols all use different formulae.  Usually liquids and creams are the
strongest, foams come next, and aerosols are the weakest.

Good luck and have fun--canoeing up there rates as one of the best times
of my life--I'm sure it will be one of the best of your's.

						Geoffrey Baum