Do I need to worry about insects?

[JimP]

Just an FYI for those taking doxy, a possible side effect is more sensitivity to sun. Recently was taking them 12° south of the equator and even with spf 70 sunscreen, still got sunburned.

Did the same thing, sunscreen didn't even act like it was on.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My experience has been sunscreen not needed during end of August Eastern Cape even during the drought.

 

[Sabre]

Yes you should be concerned about insects and take proper precautions.

Soak all of your clothes in permethrin and let them dry. It is so easy to do this and it will make a bigger difference than almost anything else you do. I don't only soak my socks as some people do because they can come off brush onto pants, or taller brush and trees onto shirts. I soak them vs. spray them to get it to last longer. It has been my experience that soaking them gets them to last an entire "season", as in all of fall, or all of summer, etc.

Some of the animals seem to not have any ticks on them, and some seem to be absolutely covered. When you roll over a Kudu and see their skin crawling from all the ticks running around in the hair trying to relocate, you will be glad you used permethrin.

I also take a couple small cans of spray in case flying bugs or something else are thick and aren't warded off by permethrin. But it isn't usually necessary.

Talk to your doctor about travel meds, if your hospital has a travel clinic that usually makes it easy. Often they will give you 2-3 prescriptions like an antibiotic for stomach bugs and also doxycycline (also an antibiotic) which is a prophylactic for malaria, but it is also a treatment for tick borne illnesses. There are possible side effects to Doxy that are worth considering, such as it can discolor your teeth, and it can make you sensitive to sun. I have taken doxy with me, with the plan of only taking it if I found a tick bite. I would have considered adjusting my plan if I were going to be in a very malaria prone area, but most of SA is not.

 

[Big guns]

I don’t think there is a better repellant than simple 100% deet. It doesn’t smell great, it eats plastic, it always seems to leak out of the bottle, but it always works if you need it. I buy the little pump bottles and pack them in two or three ziplocks because they will leak and you don’t want it on anything you like.

If they are bad a head net is worth it’s weight in gold, but thats usually a fly fishing issue rather than elk hunting.

I don’t care for any of the bugs so you’ll only find me in a tent with screens.

You’ll have to let us know how it turns out and if there were more of the little buggers.

 

[JimP]

I don’t think there is a better repellant than simple 100% deet. It doesn’t smell great, it eats plastic, it always seems to leak out of the bottle, but it always works if you need it. I buy the little pump bottles and pack them in two or three ziplocks because they will leak and you don’t want it on anything you like.

If they are bad a head net is worth it’s weight in gold, but thats usually a fly fishing issue rather than elk hunting.

I don’t care for any of the bugs so you’ll only find me in a tent with screens.

You’ll have to let us know how it turns out and if there were more of the little buggers.

You need to try Permithin on your clothing.

On my first hunt I had sprayed down my clothing including socks. One day while we were out after kudu we sat down to do some glassing. I kicked over a rock with my feet and didn't notice that there was a ant bed under it. A few minutes later I looked down and my boots were covered in ants, but they stopped at the top on them where my socks were. We also hunted in a tick infested grass land for our impala. Two of came back with zero ticks on us or our clothing that had been treated. A fellow hunter went into the same area the next day, he came back with more of those little pepper ticks on him than his wife could count, they were on his clothes along with embedded on his body.

Permithin isn't for your skin, so a good bug repellent loaded with DEET is required on your exposed skin.

 

[wesheltonj]

Spraying your clothes with Sawyers (Permethrin) and yourself with (Picaridin) is cheap insurance.

 

[Field28]

I took bug spray and a script of doxy last May just in case, I never had to use either.

I saw plenty of ticks on animals but did not get any on me.

One of the house ladies did get stung by a scorpion fetching wood for the fire in the boma one night. Might want to shake your boots out in the morning before you slip them on.

 

[wvfred]

I've just always brought bug repellant with deet.It slowed the mopani flies down but they still swarm you just don't stay on you.

 

[Wahoo]

I've just always brought bug repellant with deet.It slowed the mopani flies down but they still swarm you just don't stay on you.

Mopani flies? What mopani flies????

 

[TnKen]

This is what I use both home and abroad. I mix it in a sprayer and soak my clothes. It will last a long time and is highly effective.

 

[Safari Dave]

I would treat 2 outfits of your primary hunting clothing with Permethrin before you go.

I think 3M Ultrathon lotion is the best insect repellant to use on your skin.

Better safe than sorry.


IME, the sun seems very intense in southern Africa in August (I almost couldn't stand using the dark brown boots, that I normally hunt with.)

I would use sunscreen as well.


I just had a little of the top of my left ear removed because of a skin cancer...

 

[BeeMaa]

This is what I use both home and abroad. I mix it in a sprayer and soak my clothes. It will last a long time and is highly effective.

View attachment 680978

This is exactly what I use, but it's not available for sale to individuals in all states. You might need to have a friend with a farm get it for you.

 

[BossBuck]

Better safe than sorry. I appreciate all the good advice.

 

[spike.t]

Don't take antibiotics as a prevention....too much resistance has been built up by many nasty infections due to over use ..and other types of use.....

Ps I remember the good old days when people were worried about lions and hyenas going to try and eat them while they were asleep...not bugs ..

 

[pilar]

Just an FYI for those taking doxy, a possible side effect is more sensitivity to sun. Recently was taking them 12° south of the equator and even with spf 70 sunscreen, still got sunburned.

Yep ! After having a fishhook buried in my knuckle, I was put on doxycycline, and really blistered up bad , forgot about that, but I had tick fever and would take it if I got bitten again

 

[Betterinthebush]

Don't take antibiotics as a prevention....too much resistance has been built up by many nasty infections due to over use ..and other types of use.....

Ps I remember the good old days when people were worried about lions and hyenas going to try and eat them while they were asleep...not bugs ..

lol! My PH had nearly the exact same reaction. I asked him if bees were more ornery in the winter when there is not as much water and nothing pollinating (I’m allergic to bee venom), we had a good laugh about how if his trackers find a hive it’s a huge deal for them.

 

[spike.t]

lol! My PH had nearly the exact same reaction. I asked him if bees were more ornery in the winter when there is not as much water and nothing pollinating (I’m allergic to bee venom), we had a good laugh about how if his trackers find a hive it’s a huge deal for them.

Mmmm....when we burning and everything comes to a crashing halt I know they have found honey........my entertainment for the disruption is they guys antics trying to get the honey without getting toʻ hammered by the bees....but it is good......I can only eat a tiny bit as so sweet...they scoff so much ....how they do it without throwing up I don't know

 

[Sika98k]

When I hunted the Eastern Cape the only thing I did was wear some type of tick lotion. Mopani flies were not an issue where I was. I also made a good effort to see if there ticks on my body.

You must have looked a sight !

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

We will be in East Cape the week of 8/10. It's the winter season I'm told. Do I need to wash my cloths with some of the products I've seen recommended? Thanks in advance. Anything you would recommend that I may have forgot?
Backpack with bino's camera and 1 set of hunting cloths. I have all thing charger cords and converter for the Africa power supply.
Renting rifle and ammo from PH. Everything else is in place as far as travel, and hotel. working on getting in better fitness, practicing shooting from sticks.
I have a small first aid kit for backpack. What I'm I missing?

My 5th trip to Africa will be this August. I've used this exact spray on my clothing do NOT spray on your skin. spray on your boots, socks, pants shirts especially at the end of the sleeves. Spray on the brim of your hat top and sides. Let it dry. One good treatment will last 2 weeks even with washing. I take a can with me when I go. You can take some OFF for your skin if you'd like. Another strong recommendation from is is to get yourself a good bug nor mosquito jacket as a line of defense. I know you asked about ticks, I've never had that issue. Those damn tsetse flies can make you miserable. I'm not sure what I would have done without my bug jacket in June of 2021 in Zambia near the river.

My biggest problem in Africa has been the big ass spiders in my tent or chalet when I wake up at night. Im not a spider guy especially when I'm trying to sleep. Id suggest spraying your tent or room down wiith this stuff. It killed a poisonous centipede in my tent while I was out hunting during the day.

 

[Wiley64]

It’s mandatory in my opinion.. tick born diseases are not good and could ruin your hunt