1. 100% DEET. Jungle Juice. Sold at REI. Extremely effective.
2. Alternatively: For clothing, your local hardware store has Permethrin. It is a safe insecticide and insect repellent. Simply mix 1/2 ounce ounce with a bucket of water, soak your clothing, then let dry. It kills fleas and ticks on contact and many other bugs. It also keeps pests away. It does not smell, leave stains, or cause allergic reactions. It is used by the military as an alternate insect repellent versus something like DEET. I like it because it does not require reapplication every few hours. It works for weeks on end and can even survive several washings.
I was thinking about this.. if i spray it on my clothes will i still have to spray something on my arms and face? just wondering how effective it is...
My wife is particularly susceptible to mosquito bites. For every bite I get she’ll get twenty and it ruins her her enjoyment of the outsoors. Several years ago a farmer told me Permethrin works wonders around his farm and he recommended I spray it liberally around my house. So, I started spraying my yard and shrubs, the wood fence, my house, and up into trees. I spray everything but my raised garden boxes and koi pond. I usually do it twice a year and It has made a huge difference. I almost never get a mosquito bite at home and my wife can actually sit on the porch or under the shade trees. I’ve never used it on clothing and gear as you suggested, but that’s a great idea. Like you, I’m a believer in Permethrin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin
Permethrin is great stuff, but is Dangerously toxic to cats. Other mammals not so much.