I don't care how they feel when I tell them to Buzz Off.
Written: Jul 03 '06
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Pros: It keeps the bugs away from my face; environmentally friendlier than spray.
Cons: Must be replaced after 25 washings.
The Bottom Line: This works. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another or other Buzz Off products.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Ex Officio Buzz Off Bandana |
I’ve had my Buzz Off Bandana for two summers. I didn’t use it much last summer because I was skeptical and felt like it was just something else for me to carry as we hiked. However I decided to give it a try this summer.
General Information:
Buzz Off Bug Bandana is made by Ex Officio. My husband bought it for me as a gift. He got me the one called Bug Off. It has that name because in the middle there are drawings of bugs. It might not have been my choice. On the edges of mine is a paisley print – sort of a Western look.
You’ll also find them in red and pink check, a cross-check pattern in blue, khaki and cigar as well as one called mendi which is a blue pattern. They cost $12.00.
I just measured mine and it is 22" by 22" however on the website www.exofficio.com I read that they are 23" by 23." Maybe they stretched the bandana a bit when they measured it. Or it may be that some are made of a different material than mine. Mine says “one size.” In any case it is a square making it really easy to fold it into a triangle to wear around my head or neck.
Mine is 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Some of them are made of 58% polyester and 42% rayon. It has a UPF of 30 and 96.7% of UV protection. The active ingredient is Permethrin.
It should be machine washed separately in cold water and by itself. It can be washed 25 times before it loses its effectiveness. I have not washed mine 25 times so I can’t say if that claim is true. I have washed it perhaps half that amount and it is still working. It can’t be dry cleaned. It can be ironed which I’ve never done. Mine has cotton in it so it comes out a bit wrinkled but I don’t care.
So what is this?
Ex Officio now makes Buzz Off clothes. I’ve seen shirts and socks. I intend to buy them for our travels next summer.
Buzz Off combines the active ingredient Permethrin, which is a human-made version of natural insect control with a “new patent pending process.” (From the website.) Buzz Off Insect Shield apparel claims (according to my tag) to repel mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks, ants, flies and midgies.
My experience:
It works and I like my bandana for many reasons:
~It isn’t rubbed into my skin which I like. I went to buy a lotion that said to wash my hands immediately. Since we hike I certainly can’t use a lotion because washing my hands wouldn’t be easy. My bandana is certainly simple.
~It has sun protection which is an added plus.
~It also seems to be better for the environment and others standing near me since I am not spraying anything into the air or near water which we are often near when hiking in the woods.
~It is completely fragrance free and colorless.
~My bandana doesn’t have any feeling of bug repellent.
~I have tired natural insect repellant to no avail. Then again I’ve used DEET and haven’t had much luck. What I have found to be the best is wearing long sleeves and long pants with my Buzz Off bandana around my neck.
~I tend to wear it around my neck or if it is during the day I just keep it in my pocket hanging out. I use it as a hankie to wipe the sweat off my face though I don’t use it near my eyes. There are no warnings about this but it has not bothered my face to do this.
Just the other day when I was examining it before reviewing it I found a button hole on one corner of the bandana. I buttoned it to my shirt and it made it easy to wear it with the bandana in the front and then I tied it around my neck rather than the reverse. I liked this approach because it seemed like the bandana was closer to my face and to areas that aren’t covered by my shirt, such as my neck.
The bandana has consistently kept the flying bugs away. Obviously I don’t know about ants! However we have been hiking in the woods and I have used no insect repellent. I really dislike putting repellent on my face and neck so my bandana solves that problem perfectly. I think this little accessory is well worth the money. Although I feel as if I can’t give it 5 stars, though I’m not sure why, I am giving it stars and definitely recommending Buzz Off Insect Shield Bandana.
Thanks for reading. jo
A few of my outdoor gear reviews:
Columbia Eddyline Short Sleeve Shirt ~ Leki Canyon Trekking Poles ~ Leki Hiking Pole ~ Cambelbak Siren ~ CambelBak Zoid ~ Garmont Hiking Boots ~ Medalist Short Sleeve Wicking Top ~ Specialized Expedition Sport Bike ~ Thorlo Womens Light Hiker Crew ~ Specialized 03 Expedition Sport Bike ~ Coleman 7' x 7' Cimmaron Plus Vestibule Tent
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 12.00
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