Night Location Shooting and Mosquitos

[craigbowman]

Last night was our final night of shooting for the network pilot I've been DPing for all of June. Although we brought enough Deep Woods Off to stop a rhino at 400 yards, the mosquitos were out in such force that I think the little bastards actually like the stuff.

We were up the valley just outside of a small town called Enderby in their old cliffside cemetary. I literally was standing in clouds of mosquitos. They even got me through my shirt and pants. You want to swat 'em but of course you can't flinch because you risk ruining the take. So you stand there and take it.

Mosquitos: 1
Actors and Crew: 0

 

[Beat Takeshi]

Believe it or not, when I was in Greece last month I picked up a few bottles of Olive Oil body lotions and on days like the ones you describe I didn't get one bite when everyone else were in tears. I'm usually a target too so it had to be the lotion.

 

[Chris Light]

just kidding, of course.

 

[David G. Smith]

Oh man, if Deep Woods Off didn't work your hit. I've done a lot of shooting in Michigan and the skeeters their are pretty bad ass also, but DWO always worked for me.

 

[Rick Meyer]

Believe it or not, when I was in Greece last month I picked up a few bottles of Olive Oil body lotions and on days like the ones you describe I didn't get one bite when everyone else were in tears.

Olive Oil lotion? I've never even heard of it. I am going to have to try this. I hate the chemically, cancer-y smell of OFF bug spray but even when I opt to use it, the little f'ers still think I'm delicious.

 

[Erik Olson]

I'd try a combination of a soap like Mosquito Magic or Skin Armor (Aussie version), which you simply lather up and cover yourself with (no rinse off) and conventional Deet in especially prone areas like your neck. I've actually mixed up a big batch in distilled water and poured it into those baby wipe dispensers. Then, you simply take a couple wipes before going outdoors and cover any exposed areas.

We have a fellow in NC who makes soap with eucalyptus and lavender extracts that works wherever it is applied. Juniper and rosemary also seem to hide people from biting insects. You can find these products pretty easily if you search the web for them. A key for success seems to be not missing any spots when you lather up. No-see-ums are especially adept at finding chinks in the armor.

Now, putting my sales hat on (Orvis Outfitter), you can also get the Orvis or ExOfficio Insect Shield line of clothing. Wearing one of their shirts, which are usually made of lightweight, super-fast drying poplin fabrics, will usually keep any biting bugs away from you for up to 30 washing cycles. I have the Baja shirt from Orvis and it is fantastic.