Thermacell

My father and I each just got our own Thermacell mosquito repellers.  These units use butane fuel to heat an insect repellent pad that creates a 15 feet x 15 feet area free of mosquitoes and black flies.  This will be very important while we are in northern Quebec and Labrador; the insects are especially thick there.  Here is the link to the website: Thermacell

This will be the first time we have used the Thermacell devices.  Just in case the Quebec and Labrador black flies and mosquitoes are too much for these devices, we will bring traditional bug spray.  Last year we used Repel Sportsman Max, which is 40% deet.  

This seemed to work pretty well, but I found myself applying it more often that I would have liked to.  Also, the chemicals in the spray were pretty harsh and ate through my Mountain Hardware waterproof jacket, which had quite a bit of years and use under its belt, but was still sad to see.  I've since gotten a new rain jacket for the trip: Columbia Rain Jacket.  Rain gear is a completely different topic and I could spend plenty of time of that.  But it's safe to say, it rains quite a bit in Labrador and being prepared for that is important.  I will update you all on how well the new Columbia rain jacket holds up.