Deet

According to Doctor Google, DEET, or diethyltoluamide, was developed in 1944 by Samuel Gertler of the United States Department of Agriculture. It was tested as a pesticide on farm fields, but its true intent was for use by the United States Army following its experience of jungle warfare during World War II.

I use it in the jungle at the cottage too as I brave the mosquitoes in the wild. Yesterday, for instance, while stacking wood.

wood pile in a forest
So. Much. Wood.

I usually get my wood-stacking done in the spring before the damn bugs come out. But since I have decided to live up here full time again, I thought it would be a good idea to get a couple extra face cords so I will be toasty in the winter. And my oh my…the bugs were out BIG TIME yesterday! It’s been so damp that the mozzies keep breeding over and over, their larvae found in every puddle in Muskoka! And as I was sweating, carrying log after log to the pile, more and more mosquitoes and those goddamn deer flies swarmed.

Wood pile in forest
This much left to go

The DEET kept them from biting me too much. But for the rest of the day, all I could smell and taste was DEET. Even after a shower. And my pillow and sheets are DEET-ish…ugh!

Also, I have wanted to start riding my bike up here…but holy crap the bugs on the road! The bugs the bugs! There’s not enough DEET on the planet to get me through this.

Well, that’s my excuse for not riding my bike, it has nothing to do with laziness…

Um, ok that is all.

Here’s a chipmunk on the woodpile. You’re welcome.

Chipmunk on a woodpile
Chipmunk on the woodpile