Bug season: Take the slap out

(MCT) If you've been out camping, fishing or working in the garden, then chances are you've been smacking, slapping and itching. Mosquitoes, those (bleeping) bloodthirsty spoilers of outdoor summer fun — and their biting friends, black flies, gnats and no-see-ums — are busily, buzzily feasting upon us.

The standard defense against the hungry horde, DEET-based repellent, now has new company: armaments that are effective yet easier and generally safer to use, especially around children. And you'll never guess where this new muscle is coming from — flowers, with a nod to the vitamin shelf.

BugBand Insect Repellent uses geraniol, an essential oil derived from geraniums that smells good to us, but not to mosquitoes. It keeps the little pests (flies, midges and gnats, too) from alighting and biting. Geraniol's natural tendency to evaporate makes it effective for use in wristbands, which is lot less messy than sprays or lotions, and in bead form to make the back yard a bite-free zone. Four bands sell for around $15 at REI, Target and www.bugband.net.

Don't Bite Me! Patch employs vitamin B1 to turn away mosquitoes. When vitamin B1 (thiamine) metabolizes in the body, it gives off a slight odor that insects don't like. The patch must be put on two hours before outdoor activity to give B1 time to absorb into the bloodstream and out the body's pores. Thiamine is generally considered safe, even at high doses, because excess is excreted in the urine. Lasting up to 36 hours and staying on when wet, the Don't Bite Me! Patch is available at www.dontbitemepatchstore.com (five for $5; 20 for $16). For free shipping, type "STAR" into the coupon code space.

Insect Shield garments and gear are infused with permethrin, a synthetic copy of the natural insect repellent found in chrysanthemums. It's odorless insect protection that's proven to repel mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges (no-see-ums), according to the manufacturer. Items range from $12-$100 at Gander Mountain, Blaine; Midwest Mountaineering, Minneapolis; Hoigaards, St. Louis Park, many REI stores and www.insectshield.com.