Here's a decent set of test results: http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/01/30/464740275/whats-the-best-way-to-keep-mosquitoes-from-biting

It also looks like a new chemical called "icaridin" or "picaridin" (depending on which country it is sold in) can do as well or slightly better than DEET. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health/beauty-personal-care/insect-repellent/insect-repellent-ratings/ratings-overview.htm

You might note in that 2nd reference that a product based on Lemon Eucalyptus is almost effective enough to be useful, but you should also note the ingredients include [Approx 65% p-menthane-3,8-diol]  which is a chemical formed through refining the 'natural' ingredients: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/repelling-mosquitoes-a-guide-to-what-works-and-what-doesn-t-1.1895243 The 'natural' source only contains 1-2% of that chemical so you may not consider it 'natural' after refining. 

Basically if you drop below 90+% effectiveness, the product is ineffective as an insect repellent. It looks like a Picaridin/Icaridin based product might be worth trying, but there still don't appear to be any 'natural' products that come close to being effective. 

 

I bought the All Terrain Herbal Armor Insect Repellent last year. I think it works really well. I also like it because my dog can wear it too.

http://www.allterrainco.com/ecommerce/natural-insect-repellents/4-oz-herbal-armor-spray.html

Chipz03 wrote:

How often did you find you had to reapply?

Hmm. I can't really remember. The mosquitoes were only out during dawn and dusk and earlier in the year I was portaging and sweating it off, so had to spray it on more frequently. It sprays on creamy so I had to rub it onto my arms and exposed areas. It's by far the best natural repellent I've used.
 

Hi Eddy, is there a particular brand you use and where would I be able to purchase this?  I'm on an experimental run right now before my first camp trip and will be bringing a few good recomendated products.

Nice!  Bass Pro has the Sawyers, and ordered the Herbal Armor online.  I'm all set.  Thanks guys

Craigson wrote:

On another note, i heard that Citronella can no longer be sold as a repellent in Canada as it in fact attracts bugs. False advertising. Kinda funny really, companies got away with it and made millions for years lol

Actually it's a regulatory requirement to test repellents for consumer safety. While citronella is "natural" none of the vendors had gone through the necessary testing to prove that it was safe to use as a repellent. Here is a CBC article from 2014 with more detail: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/health-canada-pulling-last-of-citronella-based-bug-sprays-1.2750365

Here's another article from 2015 saying Health Canada had relented and was once again allowing citronella to be sold as a repellent: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/citronella-bug-spray-makes-comeback-after-public-pressure-1.2962142

However, that still doesn't make citronella effective. 

  I'm with ya Craigson. I actually just started taking my vit B1 last weekend. I'm heading up in 2 weeks. I think it works awesome. Also 4-5 days prior to trip I over in dulge in garlic. Have it cooked in every meal. I also have this stuff which is real manly type. Got it from Avon lol. Can't think of the name of it, but pretty sure it's just an Avon line product. I got it for my daughters when they were younger as I wanted to steer clear of any deet products. I find it works really well as well. My 2 cents!

So for June trips this year I will be:

- Spraying clothes etc with Permethrin
- Applying picaridin repellent to exposed skin,
- Wearing Vit  B patch
- Taking Vit B1 supplement prior to trip.
- Bringing a Thermocell and Eureka VCS bug shelter.

Fairly certain they will still be all over me.